Kids Who Explore Parent Edition

Ep. 50 Learning to Live in the Moment [& Animal Tracking] with Kady Lieber

Kady Lieber’s life was turned upside down when she found out her little Ava, then 17-months-old, had stage 4 brain cancer. After a year of helping Ava fight for her life, Kady and her family made a goal to live every moment to its fullest! Today’s podcast shines light on how to live in the moment and how animal tracking and nature can bond an entire family!  

Kady Lieber is a traveler, designer, and adventure seeker splitting her time between the USA and Switzerland (when she can travel). She is mama to 2 girls, Taylor 11, and Ava 7.  

 

Animal Tracking/Animal Viewing/Animal Watching Starter Tips: 

• You can choose specific animals to track, or a wide range 
• This is a great activity for keeping distance from people, and for those with mobility issues  
• Starting with a guide can be super helpful (https://yellowstonewildlifeguidecompany.com) 
• You’re supposed to stay 25-100 yards away, depending on animal type 
• You can sometimes use spotting scopes for up to 2 miles away 
• Backyard birding is a wonderful way to start close to home 

 

At 17-months-old, Kady’s daughter was diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumor. These were the signs her daughter was showing: 

• She was getting very grumpy  
• She wasn’t walking and was no long cruising across furniture 
• She was tilting her head in a certain “funny” way  

 

They were sent for an MRI, which showed a tumor. They were then introduced to a Neuro-Oncologist. After surgery, when Ava was almost 2-years-old, she was like a newborn. Eventually she learned to walk, but lost most of her hearing. The aftermath of a brain tumor is pretty heartbreaking. Now, at the age of 7-years-old, she has the physical ability of a 3-year-old, and has the fine motor skills of a 2-year-old, despite being in therapy for 5 years.  

 

Kady’s Advice: Live in the moment!! She was originally shocked by that advice from a doctor, but now thinks there are no better words of wisdom.   

 

Book suggestions: 

The Reign of Wolf 21: The Saga of Yellowstone’s Legendary Druid Pack by Rick McIntyre 

& 

Yellowstone Wolves: Science and Discovery in the World’s First National Park  

 

Follow Kady on IG: @tavadventures 

 

Check out KWE’s #patch4apurpose to support 1, or all 8, charities:
https://kidswhoexplore.com/product/original-explorer-patch4apurpose/ 

 

Today’s Host: @laurenrodycheberle from @kidswhoexplore
Production: @kpmediaproductions. Music: @michaelferraro_music 

Ep. 49 A New Year with KWE!

Hello, 2022! Not only are we welcoming a new year, but we are celebrating a year of Kids Who Explore in the books!! It’s been so beautiful to watch Adrianna Skori’s (the Founder & CEO of KWE) vision on the trail turn into this community that inspires, supports, gives back, and genuinely cares for the humans behind the adventure photos.  

 

KWE’s Why: 

• Get kids outside 
• Connect kids to nature and their family  
• Watch children benefit from being immersed in nature  
• See nature heal trauma and challenges  

 

We want nature to help raise our children! 

 

KWE’s What: 

• Offer tips, tricks, and education to help families 
• Provide evergreen content that people can refer back to 
• Offer meet ups for families to adventure together  

 

In the next year, keep your eye out for: 

• Website (www.kidswhoexplore.com) – affiliations, discounts, blog, our shop, and events 
• Events – events are usually virtual to reach a global community, and the sign up is FREE! 
• Explorer Families – see 188 families from around the world represent KWE 
• Instagram (@kidswhoexplore) – themed months, Sunday giveaways, Thursday tips, and so many laughs, inspiration, and tips! 
• Podcast – new episode every Tuesday! Please leave a review and help more people learn about us 
• Gear/patch4apurpose – Your support helps us continue to run KWE, as well as give back to other charities [our store is supported by 3G Embroidery in Okotoks, AB, Canada] 
• So much more we are dreaming up! 

Thank you to everyone who has make this year possible! More love to come.  

 

Find KWE: 

www.kidswhoexplore.com 

IG: @kidswhoexplore 

As well as @kidswhoexplorecanada, @kidswhoexploreusa, @kidswhoexploreeurope, @kidswhoexplorecentralamerica, @kidswhoexploreafrica, @kidswhoexploresouthamerica, @kidswhoexploreaustralia, @kidswhoexploreasia 

 

Find Adrianna, CEO: 

IG: @adriannaadventures 

 

Check out KWE’s #patch4apurpose to support 1, or all 8, charities:
https://kidswhoexplore.com/product/original-explorer-patch4apurpose/ 

 

Today’s Host: @laurenrodycheberle & @adriannaadventures from @kidswhoexplore 

Production: @kpmediaproductions. Music: @michaelferraro_music.  

Ep. 48 Get Outside & Create That Yes Zone

We end 2021 with a simple message…get outside! We know, it can be hard…there will be lots of things standing in your way. But, it will be oh-so-worth-it! The outdoors are calling your childrens' names, and yours! 

 

Check out KWE’s #patch4apurpose to support 1, or all 8, charities:
https://kidswhoexplore.com/product/original-explorer-patch4apurpose/ 

Today’s Host: @laurenrodycheberle from @kidswhoexplore 

Production: @kpmediaproductions. Music: @michaelferraro_music.  

Ep. 47 How to Enjoy a Road Trip with Tara Sliwkanich

How does taking a 16-day road trip with a baby sound to you? Tara Sliwkanich makes it sound like a whole lot of fun, mixed with hiking, biking, tenting, and of course, nursery rhymes on repeat!! Learn from one of KWE’s Explorer Families about how to make road tripping very do-able, and fun for the whole family!  

 

Tara Sliwkanich, along with her spouse, Dustin, and their baby explorer, J, who will be 15-months soon, love to explore the trails, slopes, and the water around Alberta, especially around Edmonton, where they live. They love to hike, bike, stand-up paddle board, kayak, camp, downhill ski and cross-country ski as a family. Living in Edmonton means that they are 4 hours away from the mountains, so they have always loved road tripping, notably road tripping down the Oregon and California coasts in a rooftop tent for their honeymoon! Now, they are making their road trips more exciting with little J in tow!  

 

Small adventures are big adventures for babies; Tara loves taking baby J along on any outdoor time.  

 

Where Tara Road Tripped for 16 days near Alberta: 

• Edmonton 
• Jasper 
• Penticton 
• Christina Lake 
• Fernie 

 

Tips for Planning a Road Trip: 

• Make a skeleton plan, and then wing the rest  
• Book as you go, so you can adjust as needed; allows flexibility to stay longer in certain areas if you’re having a great time! 
• Trip pattern was - beach day, bike day, hike day  
• Pack as much as you can the night before leaving 
• When packing up camp site, pack while baby is “contained” in a seat or carrier 
• Each day, plan ‘who is going to do what’ the following day, and what you’re going to make for meals 

 

Tips for the Car: 

• Time limit in car before breaks for baby is about 2-3 hours (or earlier, if baby wakes and needs a stretch!) 
• When baby is awake, someone riding in the back with them is very handy 
• Manage your expectations for the drive - take it in bits, do what you can, and sing all the songs!! 
• Again, pack as much as you can in the car the night before  

 

Tips for Tenting: 

• Do a trial run of tenting with baby at home 
• Recommends: KidCo PeaPod Travel Bed - https://www.kidco.com/product/peapod/ (Can also find at West Coast Kids, or possibly secondhand on Facebook Marketplace) 

 

Tips for Biking: 

• Recommends: Thule Chariot Sport 2, with infant sling (attaches to adult bike) - https://www.thule.com/en-pf/strollers/double-jogging-strollers/thule-chariot-sport-2-_-10201023 & https://www.thule.com/en-pf/bike-trailer-accessories/thule-infant-sling-_-20101000 
• Babies must wear a helmet (even in chariot and sling), so baby should be over 1-year-old, have strong neck strength, and be able to sit up unassisted 
• Again, practice close to home! 
• Biking App: Trailforks - https://www.trailforks.com/apps/map/ 

 

Tips for Hiking: 

• Choose not too challenging of hikes with big pay offs, like ones with amazing views 
• Hiking App: AllTrails - https://www.alltrails.com/mobile 

 

Tips for Food While Travelling: 

• Pre-plan meals, so you can have some groceries ready 
• Make what food you can ahead of time 
• Some food ideas they had for baby J: Iron-rich muffins, bread or wraps with hummus, tofu with spices, kiwi, bananas, berries, and nursing (mama’s milk!) 

 

Tara is on KWE’s Inclusion Committee. She continually tries to learn from the lived experiences of BIPOC and LBGTQ+ communities in the outdoors. She encourages others to learn how to act in allyship when they are in the outdoors, so that it can be a safe space for all who are out exploring. Let’s use our privilege to break down barriers and welcome more people into the outdoors! 

 

Suggestions: 

• iLids – lids that fit on mason jars, to turn them into cups with straws or for storage (BPA-free) - https://www.intelligentlids.com 
• Book: Braiding Sweetgrass [Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants] by Robin Wall Kimmerer  

Follow Tara on IG: @tsliwk 

Check out KWE’s #patch4apurpose to support 1, or all 8, charities:
https://kidswhoexplore.com/product/original-explorer-patch4apurpose/ 

Production: @kpmediaproductions. Music: @michaelferraro_music.  

Ep. 46 Potty Training in the Outdoors with Jamie Glowacki

When your kiddos say goodbye to diapers, adventures look a whole lot different. Easier or harder? You decide! But there may be a period of time where you’re adventuring with a toilet in tow, until they master the outdoor squat. Don’t worry – you can still get outside, even in the learning-phase. We have expert Jamie Glowacki on today’s podcast, to talk all things toddlers and poop!  

 

Jamie Glowacki is an internationally recognized potty training and parenting expert. She is the author of both Oh Crap Potty Training and Oh Crap I Have a Toddler.  

 

When to Start Potty Training: 

• “Wait until they are ready” is the biggest myth (tune in to learn why) 
• 20 to 30 months is prime age, if not earlier  
• After 30 months, children get individuation, making the process much harder 
• Remember that using a toilet is socialized behaviour  

 

How Much Time Is Needed to Stay Home to Focus on Learning the Toilet (and how can you also get outside): 

• Devote at least 4 days to staying home 
• Jamie’s book is in blocks of learning, instead of specific time frames, as each child will progress differently 
• In desperate times, throw a diaper on for a hike or car ride if you need, just don’t get too dependent on it, but STILL go outside 
• The outdoors and actions such as throwing, help release the pelvic floor, so it will actually help kids who are withholding, to release 
• Hike and adventure with a potty chair 
• Don’t forget to have your kids wear two-piece everything! 

 

Tip: A post-it note, or wet toilet paper, over automatic-flush sensors will stop toilet from automatically flushing when a little one is sitting on it 

 

Follow Jamie at: 

IG: @jamie.glowacki 

Website: https://www.jamieglowacki.com/homepage 

 

Check out KWE’s #patch4apurpose to support 1, or all 8, charities:
https://kidswhoexplore.com/product/original-explorer-patch4apurpose/ 

 

Today’s Host: @laurenrodycheberle from @kidswhoexplore 

Production: @kpmediaproductions. Music: @michaelferraro_music 

Ep. 45 Avalanche Safety with Russell Bruder

If you take nothing else away from this episode when it comes to avalanche safety, please remember this: avoid, avoid, avoid! The best thing you can do to protect yourself from an avalanche is to avoid it! That being said, there is so much more to know. That’s why Russell Bruder is on the podcast today – let’s learn about avalanche safety! 

 

Russell Bruder was born and raised in Pincher Creek, Alberta. His bio is quite extensive, but today we are focusing on his role as a snowmobile, ATV, and UTV Safety Instructor. He is an expert in everything from winter survival, to ATV & Snowmobile Operations, to first aid, CPR, GPS/map/and compass navigation, and Avalanche safety. He has 23 years experience with Pincher Creek search and rescue, and 30+ years of snowmobile and ATV experience. 

 

Know Where Avalanches Are: 

For Canadians, check Avalanche Canada, and look at the forecast zones. Always submit information if you know it, to help protect others. Ie. if you see natural slides, or were in waist deep snow, report that.  

www.avalanche.ca 

 

Get Certified: 

• Book AST Level 1 or 2 
• Contact an avalanche safety trainer 
• Take a trainer course (instructor level) 
• Link for Albertans: https://www.safetycouncil.ab.ca 

 

Things You’ll Want to Know/Learn: 

• How to recognize avalanche terrain 
• How to use a beacon 
• What to do with a probe 
• How to shovel to rescue someone caught in an avalanche 

 

If You Witness Someone Caught in an Avalanche: 

• Watch where the person went down, so you know WHERE to search 
• Look out for other avalanches 
• Reminder: Get educated, so you can jump into action when you need to 

 

Each area has their own avalanche forecast. Ski hills do safety assessments before they open each day.  

 

The Sad Statistics: 

• If someone gets stuck in an avalanche (90% of the people triggered the avalanche) and you do not have time to go get help 
• You’ll need to companion rescue someone from your group 
• The first 15 minutes, chance of survival goes down by 50%. By 45 minutes, 25%. By 1 hour in, 10% chance of survival 
• A lot of the people who die in avalanches have beacons, shovels, probes, air bags…half the people who die in avalanches, die from trauma. If you get piled under 15 metres of snow, people cannot get to you before your brain starves of oxygen 

 

Talking to Kids About Winter Safety: 

• When they are young, talk to them about how to dress in winter, animal safety, fire safety, and snow! 
• Lead by example and prepare for safety, plus don’t put yourself in harms-way 
• Point out what to notice, such as pinwheel snow showing signs of instability 

 

Winter safety: If you’re a motor sports enthusiast, you can go farther on an snowmobile in 15 minutes than you could walk in 8 hours. You could go farther in an hour than you could walk in a day. So, from a risk standpoint, ask yourself how quickly someone could get to you if you were in trouble. You may need to be prepared to keep yourself and your family safe overnight, if they couldn’t get a helicopter in! 

 

Some Other Reminders: 

• Be prepared!!!  
• Watch for hypothermia 
• Speak up and listen to your gut if it doesn’t feel safe or comfortable 

 

Suggestions: 

• Life Proof Phone Case: https://www.lifeproof.com 
• Mitywah Phone Case: https://www.imitywah.com 
• Podcast: Huberman Lab https://hubermanlab.com 

 

Thank you to Headster for supporting today’s episode. Check out https://headsterkids.com for all the awesome style they have to offer! 

 

Today’s Host: @laurenrodycheberle from @kidswhoexplore
Production: @kpmediaproductions. Music: @michaelferraro_music 

Ep. 44 Winter Bucket List

At Kids Who Explore, we are list people! There’s no pressure to check every item off, but we love the ability to create traditions, simplify or go big (depending what suits your family), and share a love for the winter season! 

 

Snow Activities 

• Play in the snow 
• Build a snowman 
• Make snow angels 
• “Paint” the snow 
• Sled 
• Skate 
• Ski/Snowboard 
• Strap on “skis” for toddlers in the backyard 
• Snowshoe 
• Cross-country ski (with chariot option, too) 

 

Seasonal Activities 

• Ice sculptures 
• Winter festivals 
• See Christmas lights 
• Eat seasonal foods 

 

Seasonal Crafts 

• Finger paint 
• Handprint ornaments  

 

Create a Tradition  

• Annual trip 
• Getting a real tree 
• Christmas in July (serving as sibling gifts!) 

 

Tip: Pack a sled for everything…skating, skiing, hiking…you won’t regret it! 

 

Toddler Skis mentioned in episode: https://www.mec.ca/en/product/5044-087/Ski-Set?org_text=komperdell%20ski%20set%20 

 

 

Thank you to Sawyer for sponsoring today’s podcast! https://besawyer.com 

 

Today’s Hosts: @laurenrodycheberle and @cldowsett from @kidswhoexplore
Production: @kpmediaproductions. Music: @michaelferraro_music.  

Ep. 43 Bathroom Breaks in the Outdoors [and While Camping]

“But, what if you need to go to the bathroom?” Where and how to go #1 and #2 in the outdoors, whether adventuring, or camping, can be a huge sense of anxiety for people. So, whether it’s simply squatting in the bush, or bringing a portable potty, we are here to share all the ways we’ve created toilets in the outdoors! 

 

Portable Toilet Suggestions: 

Go Girl: https://go-girl.com 

Shewee: https://www.shewee.com 

Luggable Loo: https://www.rei.com/product/876179/reliance-luggable-loo-portable-toilet 

Lauren’s Awoken Unisex Urinal for Car: https://tinyurl.com/nj2swhke 

 

Portable Toilets are great solutions for when you’re in busy areas, or you don’t want to be away from your child - you can use some in a car, in a tent, or hugged up against a tree. 

 

If you choose to squat and leave nature in nature, remember to leave no trace – and carry out any toilet paper you may use. (www.leavenotrace.ca) 

 

When Camping: 

• use head lamp, and have bear spray 
• bring mason jar, bucket, toddler training seat, or portable potty 
• dig cat hole: rule is that it must be dug 200 feet away from water sources, walking trails, and camp sites (or carry out poop, like you would carry out dog poop)  

 

For toddlers who are new to learning how to squat, you can support the toddler’s legs behind their knees, to help them form a squat.  

 

 

Thank you to Scat Belt for sponsoring today’s podcast! Get your Scat Belt today to always have your bear spray accessible at www.scatbelt.com and on IG: @scatbelt  

 

Today’s Hosts: @laurenrodycheberle and @cldowsett from @kidswhoexplore
Production: @kpmediaproductions. Music: @michaelferraro_music.  

Ep. 42 Why to Avoid Kid-Centered Activities with Michaeleen Doucleff

What if the secrets to parenting aren’t secrets at all? What if everything you need to know to raise intrinsically-motivated, helpful, kind, and generous humans can all be learned from the Maya in Yucatan, the Inuit in the Arctic circle, and the Hadzabe in Tanzania? We dive into this topic with Michaeleen Doucleff, PhD, but after this episode, we think you’ll want to dive even deeper! 

 

Michaeleen Doucleff, PhD is author of New York Times Bestseller, Hunt Gather Parent. This is the parenting book of all parenting books, where Doucleff shares what she learned about parenting after visiting three continents with her 3-year-old daughter. You can also find her over at NPR, where she uses her expertise to cover a wide range of topics, all with science and health in mind. She currently lives in Alpine, Texas with her family.  

 

Doucleff says her book isn’t just about parenting, it is also about how we treat other people, and how to relate to children in a different way than we do in Western culture.  

 

Children Go With: 

• In these places, it is normal for children to go with adults; children are integrated into the adult world 
• Bringing children into your work world gets them to connect with you and learn! A lot of struggle American parents have is because kids aren’t used to working together with their parents/family unit 

 

Why/How to Avoid Kid-Centred Activities: 

• The vast majority of cultures don’t have kid-centred activities, because they don’t think kids need specific activities (In these cultures, usually kid “toys” are related to work) 
• After kid-centred activities, kid behaviour can be very poor 
• Allow sports and activities to be child-driven, meaning let them choose, and hopefully make it family-centred in some way, or allow it to foster independence 
• Kids who aren’t over-scheduled are found to take more initiative in chores and homework  
• Extra activities are, and should be seen as, privileges  

 

T.E.A.M. Acronym (works best outside!!): 

• Together (with someone older, who loves them) 
• Encourage (versus force) 
• Autonomy (allow kids to make decisions, but still expect them to help, be kind, and generous) 
• Minimal Interference  

 

The TEAM Acronym is extraordinary for kids physical and mental health.  

 

How/Why to Avoid Bribery & Chore Charts: 

• Bribery and chore charts don’t support kids in becoming intrinsically-motivated to help the family 
• In cultures outside America, when kids are young, they don’t “shoo” the little ones away when they try to help (check out Hunt, Gather, Parent for the other two secrets to this!) 
• Allow kids to be with you and help you, and start them with a tiny, but still meaningful task  

 

Follow Michaeleen at: 

Twitter: @FoodieScience 

Contact her via email  

 

Book Recommendation: 

Hunt Gather Parent by Michaeleen Doucleff 

Self-Driven Child by Ned Johnson 

 

Check out KWE’s #patch4apurpose to support 1, or all 8, charities:
https://kidswhoexplore.com/product/original-explorer-patch4apurpose/ 

 

Today’s Hosts: @laurenrodycheberle and @cldowsett from @kidswhoexplore
Production: @kpmediaproductions. Music: @michaelferraro_music.  

Ep. 41 Holistic First Aid Kits with Katie Braswell

What’s in your first aid kit? Most importantly, do you have a first aid kit? Katie Braswell is here to get us thinking not only about all the things that should be in a first aid kit, but also all the ingredients we DON’T want in a first aid kit. Get ready to revamp your adventure pack! 

 

Katie Braswell, of Wild + Well, is a Holistic Nutritionist, based in Boulder, Colorado. Katie’s specific areas of interest are preconception health, fertility, prenatal nutrition and supplementation, gestational diabetes, breastfeeding and postpartum care (focusing on nurturing mama and baby). She specializes in functional nutrition for families – especially the mama or mama-to-be who is looking to maximize their time adventuring with their little ones! She and her family love to adventure and are passionate about spending as much time as possible outdoors and in nature – so she has worked to master the perfect holistic, non-toxic first aid & adventure kit.  

 

Don’t feel guilty about what you’ve used in the past, or what you have on hand now. You can start changing over your first aid kit by integrating one item at a time (or even as your items are used up!). 

 

Some chemicals we want to avoid (hard on our hormones / endocrine disruptors): 

• petroleum 
• alcohols  
• sulphates 
• preservatives  

 

Here is the link to help you build your non-toxic first aid kit: 

https://www.livewildbewell.com/blog-posts-all/how-to-build-a-holistic-non-toxic-first-aid-kit 

 

Some Quick Tips: 

• Band-Aids: Aim for band-aids without latex and petroleum (Welly is a good brand) 
• Sunscreen: Try cover up and use SPF-clothing more than not (stay away from oxybenzone in sunscreen. Katie is a fan of these brands for sunscreen: Beauty Counter, Supergoop, and Badger) 
• For Burns & Stings: Calendula Cream, Aloe Vera Gel, Arnica Cream or Gel; Manuka Honey for Healing 
• For Bug Bites & Headaches: Lavender 
• For Anything Poisonous: Tea Tree Oil 
• For Cuts, Scrapes & Wind Burn: Witch Hazel, Homemade Neosporin, Good Goo brand 
• For Coughs: Zarbees brand 
• Probiotic Brands: Mary Ruth’s, Thrive, Seed 
• Electrolyte Brands: Element, Altima 
• For Nausea: Chewable Ginger or Peppermint 
• For Blisters: Mole Skin 
• Some other items to remember: Cold packs, Scissors, Tweezers 

 

*Carry Coconut Oil or Jajoba Oil as a carrier oil, for essential oils* 

* Lavender and Tea Tree Oil can be a little bit of a natural hormone disruptor, if persistent exposure.* 

 

Link to EWG Guide, to check “clean rating” for products: 

https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ 

 

Where to find Katie: 

Website: https://www.livewildbewell.com 

IG: @livewildbewell 

Other Social: Live Wild Be Well 

 

Thank you L-Bow Mittens for supporting today’s podcast! Find them on IG: @lbowgear or at www.lbow.com 

 

Today’s Hosts: @laurenrodycheberle and @cldowsett from @kidswhoexplore
Production: @kpmediaproductions. Music: @michaelferraro_music.