Mom of 4 Talks Energy Hacks + Keys to Raising Bold Kids

She Who Wanders

Jan 11

A convo with Rachel from Be Bold Little Ones

Meet Rachel. Wife + mom to three adventure girls + an energetic baby boy (+ a new pup!) who inspires other women to make time for what’s most important. She shares her family’s off-beat outdoor adventures as they explore different parts of the country in their converted van. In her own authentic way, she shares not only the highlights of getting outside for adventures with her kids, but also the behind-the-scenes and not so pretty side of being an adventure mom. She not only offers tangible tips for helping moms explore and adventure more, but her story is proof that good things usually don’t come easy and the challenges are worth it! You’ll never regret finding time to be present and make memories with your family.

Q: As a mom to four who uses outdoor adventures as her own source of energy, mental clarity, passion and so much more…has there been a stage that was particularly challenging for continuing the adventures you’re so passionate about? Tell us about that stage and how you worked through it (and kept your sanity haha!).

I definitely feel like there are different stages that are more challenging than others. For me personally, I feel like the most challenging point is right after each of my children’s births. I get postpartum depression (PPD) and I struggle to get the motivation to get out. It is a complicated situation, however, because I know that getting out into nature is what ultimately makes me feel happier, more like myself and peaceful. And so I enlist the help of my husband to facilitate us getting out so that my mental state improves. Once I have committed to getting out for a couple weeks in a row, I can feel the mental shift and I can again enjoy the time spent outdoors. It does not immediately just cure PPD but it sure does help!

As far as raising four children, they definitely have more challenging stages as well. When my little ones first learn to walk, they want to be independent on our hikes. We have made the decision to always allow independence when they want it. We do this for a variety of reasons, but it definitely makes our adventures a unique level of slow paced. During these times, it is helpful to me to try and get in the mindset of my children. I get down to their level and let them show me the wonder of a small bug or blade of grass. When I am able to recognize the beauty that they see in the small things, I am able to appreciate them too, and the slow pace is not nearly as disruptive.

Q: The Great Wanderlust is all about moms stepping outside of the box and diving deeper in both travel and in life! The mission is to inspire mamas and families to feel fully alive through adventure and exploration! What is your great wanderlust? What most makes you come to life??

Traveling and being in nature is what makes me feel the most alive. Putting in the effort to get to a beautiful destination that I have never seen before - that is when my soul feels happiest. However, I think the manner in which people feel happiness in exploring varies from person to person. For me, that wonder, peace and happiness is intensified when I experience things with my children. I do not have the desire at this point in my life to go off on any grand solo or adult only adventures. I want to see my children’s eyes light up, hear their giggles and see their pride when they accomplish these things next to me. That is when it is really wonderful to me. I did a difficult hike a while back that led me to a stunning waterfall. I was so excited when I had reached my destination! But as I stood there looking up at this magnificent waterfall, I felt an ache that my kids weren't there to see it with me. (So I took them the very next week!). I know that it is not that way for everyone, and that’s what I feel is so wonderful about travel and adventures! You can do them in whatever form brings you the most happiness. And no one gets to decide what that is except you! If a mom feels most alive when she gets some time to herself - then that's what she should do! And it should be celebrated. Not criticized. And on the flip side, it should not be pounded into women that in order to be happiest, they need a lot of “me” time and time away from their little ones. You can feel happy and alive right in the thick of motherhood! I may have a season that that is what I long for. But right now, give me my babies and a beautiful sunset and that right there is happiness.

Q: There are so many different types of travel from airbnb stays to international travel to van life. Tell us a little about your decision to get your van. How did that come about and what ages were your kiddos? How did you know that was the type of travel that would best suit your family?

I grew up camping and absolutely love it. My husband did not grow that way. Early in our marriage we tent camped. But I always knew it wasn't my husband’s favorite. We also visited a lot of National Parks and places that we had to get hotels for each time. As we had more children, both the tent camping and the hotels became a bit more complicated. Tent camping felt like we were restricted to good weather situations and the hotels became quite pricey. My husband had been looking at vans for a couple years. We finally pulled the trigger when our girls were 1,3, & 6. The van has been the best thing for our family. We love the ability to throw some clothes in a bag and take off, knowing that everything else is always in the van. We enjoy the closeness and time spent together in the van. We can visit all our favorite places from the middle of nowhere boondocking to convenient campgrounds within National Parks. We have adjusted well to having four kids in the van and know that this will be our means of travel for years to come!

Q: You guys have gone on a lot of adventures! What is your favorite you’ve ever gone on with your family and what made it your fave? Why would you recommend it to other families with little kids?

Oh my goodness, this is a hard one for me to answer! I love so many things about different adventures. I really loved our last trip to Snow Canyon State Park. It was the first really big trip we took Enzo on when he was just an infant last fall. I loved knowing that from that point on, each of our adventures would be done as a complete family. As opposed to each adventure before that I had known that we weren’t complete as a family. Aside from the sentimental value for me, I love how kid friendly that part of Southern Utah is! The petrified dunes within Snow Canyon are like one big playground for kids. My girls could run up and down them all day! There are lava tubes in the park and even a slot canyon in town. My children love these kind of activities, and we could explore Southern Utah forever!

Q: Tell us about one obstacle you’ve had to overcome in building the life you envision for yourself and your family. How were you able to overcome it? How did you keep going even in the most discouraging times?

I think an obstacle I have faced is learning not to internalize the opinions of others. I have noticed that when you do things differently than most, some people respond with hostility. I believe that this mostly stems from a lack of understanding. And instead of trying to learn (or simply letting people live), people will immediately criticize it. I have had to remind myself that I am not trying to convince anyone else that traveling in a van with 6 people is something that they should do. I am simply sharing what we do! And it makes us happy. And that is all that matters.

Q: You seem to have so much energy! As a mama of 4, it must be difficult to find time to recharge and make sure you’re at your best in day-to-day life. What routines/practices do you utilize to make sure you are filled up and able to give to your family without being depleted?

I think part of it is “fake it til you make it!” because I am most definitely exhausted at the end of each day. Maybe when my baby sleeps through the night it won't be as extreme. However, for me it is working out. Weight lifting in particular. Getting up and working out at the beginning of the day puts me on the right track. I feel more awake, more capable to handle the day’s chaos and more appreciative of what my body can handle. Allowing myself to have time to devote to my spirituality also makes a huge difference. I know that with God I can handle a lot more than I can on my own. And each day is a lot - I don’t want to do it on my own.

Q: What life skills, qualities or characteristics do you most want to see develop in your kids as they grow? How do you think that getting outside more fosters those?

I feel like I have so many dreams for them. But some of the things that I feel are most important to foster in them are kindness, courage, resilience and passion. Getting outside teaches them so many of these things. Challenging my children with difficult terrain or longer distances teaches them that when they put in effort, they are capable of so much more than they could have ever imagined. It gives them the courage to then try new things. And to work hard. When falls and scrapes happen or when the task seems too difficult - they rely on their resilience to continue pushing forward and trying again. They cheer each other on and make friends with everyone they pass; helping them exercise their kindness and service. And I know that in not giving up my passions “simply because I became a mom” I am showing them that their passions are worth it. And that they should fight for them. I also hope that by sharing my passions, they too are gaining their own passion for Mother Earth and the ability to explore.

Q:Where are you off to next and what are you most looking forward to about it??

We are actually off to visit Snow Canyon again! It has been a year since we have been there, and I am excited to be back! It is the perfect way to escape the cold of Northern Utah!

Q: Is there a question you wish I would have asked or anything else you’d like to share with other mamas relating to travel or life?

I just want to say that our society has led us to believe that adventuring and “having a life” while having children is nearly impossible. And it is not. Not only is it possible, it's magical. Embrace the beauty and magic that children bring into adventures. You are enriching their lives and they are also enriching ours.

Q: Who inspires you to dig deeper in travel and life?

Kirsty @wildadventuremum

Morgan @mointhemountains

Bailey @spiritandguts