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mikitta
Mar 8, 2007, 2:40 AM
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Ok, so when i met and fell in love with my husband 11 years ago, there was one GREAT BIG thing he didn't do and didn't want to do. That was climbing. So I stopped doing it when we married and had kids.
I'm working on dropping the 75 lbs I need to loose in order to get back into climbing and once I'm at the top of my weight range I feel comfortable on the rock with, I aim to find a partner to go with. I would dearly LOVE this partner to be my hubby.
So advice on how to get him to just try the sport? He has this perception that all climbing is steep, airy and extreem. I'm looking at starting with the basic and easy stuff again - 5.5 to 5.7 (since I know I can lead 5.7 and I don't want to push my kids to hard stuff before they have some experience on the easy stuff).
I want so badly for him to fall in love with it. I want badly for this to be something our whole family does together because it is such a trust builder and there's nothing better than being out in nature and having that immediate sharpness of life that climbing brings.
Thanks for any suggestions :)
God Bless,
mik
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htotsu
Mar 8, 2007, 6:25 AM
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Well, you might start with the kids and once they get started they'll surely want him to watch them in action. That should at least get him out there where he can see them, and you, doing some actual climbing.
And maybe his interest will be piqued. But be prepared for it not to be. He may just not be into it, and that may be lifelong. Find partners who love climbing as much as you do. That way, if your husband never, ever, ever takes to it you won't suffer for lack of climbing or climbing comraderie. In any case, the whole "as a family" thing would be cool with you and the kids, and maybe other climbers with kids, especially moms without their husbands as partners.
(This post was edited by htotsu on Mar 8, 2007, 6:26 AM)
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anthonycuskelly
Mar 8, 2007, 10:32 AM
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If he's worried about the 'extreme' aspect, try taking him to a climbing gym (yeah, I know, ungodly thought). They generally have some very easy slabby stuff, which would hopefully prove the point that it's not all steep and hard? Then if he likes that, wean him onto outdoors climbing? Just a thought.
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mikitta
Mar 8, 2007, 11:33 AM
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Thank you for the replies :)
About two or three years ago, there was some big event at the Medowbrook Mall in Clarksburg. We went to look around and they had a climbing wall. Hubby tried that and he liked it. I told him he would likely really enjoy climbing on real rocks.
I also told him that the kind of stuff I intend to do with the kids is pretty easy and safe - 5.5 to 5.7 and top roping anything else for challenges.
He is a really good photographer, so I would be thrilled to have him along in any case to get pictures of the kids and stuff, even if he dosn't climb. I've been wanting him to get back into that hobby for a long time and he always seems to come up with excuses. Silly man.
I know that he may never take to it, so I hope I can find some partners here in WV who also climb with their kids and would welcome mine along. Another mom would be perfect :)
God Bless,
mik
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lena_chita
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Mar 8, 2007, 3:46 PM
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It could still be a family event if he comes along and takes pictures of you and the kids climbing...
I'd say start with teaching him how to belay. It would be nice if you two can alternate belaying kids and he can belay you sometimes, too, even if he decides that climbing is not for him.
Sounds like you have a good chance of getting him into it if you start with easy comfortable climbs. But as you know, you can lead the horse to water, and that's about it...
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erisspirit
Mar 8, 2007, 7:35 PM
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I am currently getting the boyfriend into climbing :) ...
Try starting with the gym...If he starts feeling ok with the gym and liking it, you should find it easier to get him outside. especially when pointing out you could all go camping together, the holds are better, and there are places where the walls are no taller than the gym walls, you will only do climbs you all kids included can do etc...
the gym with also give everyone more experience, and he could learn lead belay and such where there are knowledgeable people around.
most of all however don't be upset is he never loves climbing as much as you. Be prepared to go on alone sometimes or just with the kids.
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macblaze
Mar 14, 2007, 3:54 AM
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Registered: Jun 23, 2005
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He's gotta find his own reason. If you think the gym will entice him then spend some quality time in the gym. I started because my partner tried it with a friend and tried to get me to. I was old, fat and had bad fingers so there was no way I was taking wall climbing on. But, being a suck, I got here a pass as a special Xmas gift and of course had to tag along.
Long story short, I kept going back. For her it was the whole trust building, family thing; for me it became about relaxing and losing myself on the wall. We made a deal: the gym was going to be our "happy place." Now we climb outside and the same reasons still apply: she revels in trust building and conquering fear, and I've finally found a place where I can focus...
Bruce
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