Let’s face it, as the weather heats up, the city of Columbia starts to get cooler. Farmers markets are popping up everywhere, green spaces and walking trails appeal again, entertainment options are blossoming, and festivals abound. These are all good things, and many of the Columbia’s amenities are enjoyed by all ages, but sometimes it can be hard to take advantage of these things when you have small children in tow. Enter babywearing.
If you have a kid, know a kid, or have watched a TV show with young kids, you have probably noticed that babywearing is becoming more popular and for good reason. It makes life as a parent easier! Most kids are happy and content to view the world from mom or dad’s point of view, right where they can hear, communicate, and interact with their favorite person. Most parents are thrilled not to have to chase a kid around, worry about them touching germy stuff, or navigate tight spaces with a stroller.
Babywearing is a win-win for everyone!
As a mom of four kids, I find that my desire to participate in a particular activity correlates directly with the amount of stuff I have to drag along. When we can jump in the car and pack light, there is a much better chance that we will make it out to whatever fun activity Columbia offers. Being able to wear my 11 month old on my back, rather than pull my stroller out of my garage, excavate my trunk to make room for said stroller, and then wrangle the stroller in and out of the trunk, lightens my load and gets me out the door on time(ish).
Below are a few favorite places babywearers can be spotted around Columbia:
Soda City
Soda City is a great place to wear your child. They can be up high where they can see and hear what is going on, their hands can’t sneak attack and swipe things off of tables, and you don’t risk running into people’s heels with a stroller. On any given Saturday you are likely to see a number of parents babywearing as they enjoy the vibe of Soda City.
The Great Outdoors
Exploring the many outdoor spaces Columbia has to offer doesn’t have to wait until the kids can keep up. Put them on your back, your front, or on your hip and get some fresh air!
Riverbanks Zoo
Then there are the great places around Columbia that are meant to be enjoyed by kids, but can be navigated with even more ease when baby is worn. One of the local favorites is Riverbanks Zoo! The kiddos are happy because they are up high and can see the exhibits with ease, parents are happy because they don’t have to pick up a whiny kid a zillion times, and if you have multiple kids you have free hands to hang on to the older sibling!
Whether it is getting out and being hip at Soda City, connecting with the great outdoors, or doing any of the million day to day things that make life what it is, babywearing can be that tool in your parenting toolbox that helps makes things in the Famously Hot city a little cooler!
Note: In case we gave you the idea that babywearers don’t ever use strollers, I just want to be sure to say that isn’t true. Many of us love our strollers!
Where is your favorite place to wear your little one around Columbia?
Chris Nielson hails from Utah, but converted to the slower pace of Southern living after meeting the love of her life 16 years ago while serving in Charleston, SC with AmeriCorps. A degree in Special Education and four kids later, Chris and her husband still like each other (most of the time) and face the challenges of parenting head on as a team. In those rare moments when Chris isn’t working on something for the local Babywearing group, chasing kids, or doing something for her church, she enjoys reading fantasy books and learning about health, nutrition, and alternative medicine.
