moms who think outside the box {hello, Alaska}

Alaska is a wonderful place to be a kid. The opportunities for fun outdoor activities are endless and there are plenty of wide-open spaces with clean air to breathe. It's a kids' paradise.

It's also a great place to be a mom. But moms here have to think outside the box. We have to be prepared in ways moms in other parts of the country might not have to be. For instance:

1. You can't just go on a hike or walk with your family like normal people without thinking of the large and dangerous animals you may encounter. (See the above large and protective mama in the above picture.) Some of which have large teeth and claws or a stomping ability that can do great harm. Many moms I know (myself included) are skilled at using firearms to protect their family in the great outdoors. It just comes with the territory.

2. We have to be prepared with cold weather gear in the form of hats, gloves, boots, coats, and snowpants in case our vehicles break down or we're in an accident. The temperatures here reach dangerously frigid temperatures for most of the winter and we're used to driving long distances to get somewhere. Being unprepared in the cold is not something a mom wants to deal with. It's the worst feeling when your children are cold and there's nothing you can do about it.

 

3. As you learned on day 4, it gets dark early in the winter. Moms here have to get creative since we tend to spend crazy amounts of time indoors during those months. It can be a trying time. But it doesn't always have to feel that way. Our kids actually love to play outside in the snow when it's dark. We turn on all the outside lights and they build snowforts until it's time for dinner or bedtime. It does get long and arduous in the darker months, but having Christmas right in the middle of it all breaks things up and gives us something to celebrate!

4. This is one I know all Alaskan moms without a heated garage can attest to. Let's chant together, "Bring the diaper bag in the house tonight or the wipes will freeze." I don't need to spell this one all the way out for you. But I bet you can imagine the horror of trying to change a baby or toddler's stinky diaper when you're out and about (and you have no other choice) once you realize the entire container of baby wipes is frozen. I've been there more times than I can count. Oh.my.word. Picture a mom defrosting wipes in front of a car heater one at a time while said baby or toddler screams and all the other kids are waiting for you all crammed into a small space together. Fun times. Fun times.

What else, Alaskan moms? Please share! What makes Alaska a unique place to be a mom?

 

This is day 20 in a 31 day series about Alaska! Find the entire series archived HERE.