ConflictedOnTheUserName
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This picture was taken after our first mother son canoe portage. Trying to show the boy a little bit of life skills. Today was an adventure, we learned about scouting and how to flip and overturned canoe... also the importance of orienteering. I was definitely beat up more then him, but he said "it's cuz You're old" - I get his humor .
This is my guy, my 16 yr old who unfortunately has a father who tapped out. He decided trying to raise a teenager was too tough. So now this guy gets have his momma show him some life skills.
The day before we did some trailer maintenance and went over proper fire building techniques. I know we are not in the bush but this what we get to work with. It's not to tough but we are learning how to develop these skills. A child is a treasure and should be treated life a gift, an annoying, irritating gift but a gift none the less.
IdGiveMyEyeTeeth4That
Portages are rarely fun...
chefchris357
Good skill to know. Never know when it'll be needed.
Syldra
Thank you for being a hero <3
Notthewatdabney
Uptoo11ven
As a single dad, I can't upvote this enough.
ConflictedOnTheUserName
Being single with children is tough no matter which role you’re in. You kids are lucky to have you.
secretagentdoubleobeaver
Good work, momma. Next time you hit the water, invite your ex. As the douche canoe.
ConflictedOnTheUserName
Lol
thatvoltron
Shout out to all the single parents out there. Thank you!
FeloniousMonk13
Hell yeah, good onya. Pops dipped on us when i was 3 y.o., moms did it all, just like u are. Much respect to ya.
ConflictedOnTheUserName
Moms gotta do what moms gotta do!! Sounds like you have a great mom.
powerwagondontcare
boat crews .... move your asses!!!!!
Zadwanaa
A. Father is a tool and better he be gone lest he takes it out on the kid. B. Thats an amazing activity, keep up the phenomenal parenting!
ConflictedOnTheUserName
Nailed point A. I decided with or without a “dad” kiddo needs experience and lesson that a “dad” may be likely to teach :)
Zadwanaa
That really is amazing of you. Those memories and life lessons are priceless and something thatll stay with a person
Fizzisist
Good on you. I treasure my experience with my parents
THEmichaelscarn12
Interleaver11111111
ConflictedOnTheUserName
Ya on second thought that would have been a good idea
GrumpyOldMillennial
What the fuck happened to this dude? He was chaotic neutral personified and then just disappeared...
KOBK
He's right behind you!
nacx12
RoyDMercer
Every scratch and bruise are well worth it. You're a great mom, and it means the world to him, even if he doesn't say so.
Apothecarius
Excellent skills to have! Also fishing, and how to clean and cook a fish since you're learning watercraft.
ConflictedOnTheUserName
It’s cleaning the fish I am not great at but I am teaching him the basics so he can practice and get better!
SciFiGuy2018
Heroes wears different capes!
Vinhead
Hey Ma. Good job
ConflictedOnTheUserName
Thanks
friendlyneighbourhoodchristian
Single parents are true heroes. Thank you for loving your son
ConflictedOnTheUserName
Thank you
justyourfriendlyneighborhoodimgurian
Why, hello neighbor.
Hucklepuck
What
nezo
I wanna upvote but it's at 69, so imma upvote a different comment of yours
IdUpvoteYouButYoureAt69
I never considered this. I usually come back to upvote
Ynigmatyk
*good parents are true heroes. Single coupled foster... all the sculptors of the future working hard to make it better
ComcastLover
this
igotnobeefwithtofu
You are a good mom.
AsYouWishh
My apologies to you & your son. A true man and a good father would never walk away. You both deserve better. good on you for being a rad mom
arimelda
It sucks that if a guy knocks you up, there's only a 25% chance he will stick around to see that child regularly.
ConflictedOnTheUserName
I was even married to the guy. He just has no interest in being a father, focused to much on what he wants in life.
FlyYouFLCL
He will cherish those times. You are a great parent.
BeerandCats
Don't know how old you are, but I'm 37 & bruise like a f***ing peach, always have. Good on you for being there for your kid; get him a maul
ConflictedOnTheUserName
Same as you! When canoe dumped it was bcuz we were in rapids & rapids happen bcuz of the rocks. I was dragged along the rocks by the current
seckzie
I have seen this with women, but not men. Maybe women have more superficial and sensitive cappillaries or something?
BeerandCats
She appears to have fair skin, I too have fair skin, always thought that was a contributing factor
seckzie
Absolutely, if nothing else atleast it makes all sorts of bruises much more visible.
shayshayni
Ever tested for anemia?
BeerandCats
No, haven't had any symptoms to merit a test.
ConflictedOnTheUserName
Sure did and sure am. I am on iron medication.
owensdad102542
Literally no one said Portage was fun. Ever.
hemi244824
Beautiful story....???
HeyQueef
How does soft ass oatmeal cut up your legs
ConflictedOnTheUserName
Lol! In Canada we make our portage thicker then most!
iamthecomet
Perhaps it was steel cut?
Jopler420
portage? like as in to carry an awkwardly heavy canoe through an annoying leg gashing wilderness? ya sounds like a blast!
ConflictedOnTheUserName
Lol, and I am 5’3” ... not sure what I was thinking
Jopler420
hahhaha ... you were thinking of being a good mom!
jenhiMlemBaron
You're doing amazing <3 Don't get so caught up in the fact your losing "time" with him. The most important part is building a deep bond. /1
ConflictedOnTheUserName
Thank you, door your nice comment :)
jenhiMlemBaron
Being there to help him process his feelings is the most important part, and with that he will always come to you when these kind of /2
jenhiMlemBaron
Situations arise. There is time mama <3
ConflictedOnTheUserName
Thank you for this :) hoping I am laying down the foundation for a strong future!!
ThePunishersVengefulBrother
Glad you're doing the hard stuff. After my dad died, my mom did all this stuff with me. I sent her Father's Day cards until she passed.
ConflictedOnTheUserName
Sounds like mamma did a good job. Sorry for your loss I bet she got a chuckle out of those cards :)
ThePunishersVengefulBrother
Yeah, she did. Thank you.
ButterLube
Does tapped out mean suicide
ConflictedOnTheUserName
I use the term tapped out as in gave up on being a parent. He is alive and well and doesn’t want anything to do with being a dad
DownVoteVerifier
Was my first thought too
ButterLube
Cause if that's the case there seems to be a lack of respect. But that may not be the case
St0ckh01m5yndr0m3
Portage is much more enjoyable with a kayak
Findrek
My canoe is more comfortable to carry and better suited for long trips with more supplies. Kayak is for day trips and fishing.
Miller16of16
This, and you really can't bring your dog in a kayak.
ODopps13
A kayak won't make Indiana that much more enjoyable. I promise you.
donthaveonebrojustlurk
Maybe if by portage you mean bringing it from you car? Otherwise the canoe is the superior tripping machine by far.
St0ckh01m5yndr0m3
Nope portage by definition. River obstruction or rapids, you get out and carry the kayak to the next clear spot.
St0ckh01m5yndr0m3
Is carrying a kayak from the car portage to you??
donthaveonebrojustlurk
Fack no I canoe. Portage to me is a boat up and a pack on for a few clicks, then going back for the barrels.
rowanmc
Kevlar/lightweight canoe. Can toss it on my shoulders and carry the boat myself pretty easily, only weighs 40 pounds or so.
Findrek
Hell my aluminum isn't a whole lot more then that, never really bothered me. Just about any canoe is better to portage then a awkward kayak.
donthaveonebrojustlurk
I totally agree - the canoe is the superior vehicle in all respects. Also.... Grumman?
KnightKrypto
I've been looking into getting some kayaks that are super light like that. Any recommendations?
donthaveonebrojustlurk
Yes. Buy a grumman aircraft aluminum canoe and nothing else.
rowanmc
Kevlar is pretty great stuff, sold under a variety of names by different makers. Swift, Current Designs, Eddyline, etc are good.
rowanmc
Canoes are also great especially if you go with a friend or carry a lot of gear. Aluminum if great if you want to bash it, but lots heavier.
rowanmc
Ex the Grumman aluminum canoes mentioned in this thread are 70+ pounds, versus about 40 lbs for aramid/kevlar. And kevlar is tough stuff.
ButchMcKenzie
Disagree entirely. You can put the yoke of the canoe on your shoulders easily and still be able to see
astrangehop
I can put my kayak on my shoulder though.
ButchMcKenzie
Is this a kayak you use for trips? Sounds like it would cause discomfort on long portages as the weight wouldn't be balanced
astrangehop
It's not super comfortable, but I can walk like a quarter mile with it. It's small & I'm big though.
donthaveonebrojustlurk
It's only really portaging if you're on trip tho......
thisismysociallife
portaging a kayak sucks. canoes are much more enjoyable vessels for long paddles
ConflictedOnTheUserName
Agree and it was a 6 hour trip.
ButchMcKenzie
Between the ease of portaging and capacity they are just much more logical
thisismysociallife
not to mention the view you get sitting up higher off the water
donthaveonebrojustlurk
The worst part of kayak tripping is everything smells like your garbage cause it all went in the same hatch.
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ButchMcKenzie
Portaging? Thats when you need to get out of the water and carry your watercraft and gear across land to another body of water
thisismysociallife
portaging is the term used when you need to carry a boat over dry land usually for a short period
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volock
Hopefully short period of flattish ground