5 Reasons Geocaching Mothers are Amazing

Today is Mother’s Day in Ireland (as well the UK, Isle of Man, Jersey, Guernsey and Nigeria) and I couldn’t let it pass without mentioning my own mother. I’m in the very lucky position of having a geocaching mom – a rather rare but wonderful type of mother.

In LA, October 2012

Circa 1989

 

If you have a geocaching mother, you’ll know what I’m talking about it, but if you don’t know, here’s why I think geo-moms are particularly excellent when you’re a geocacher yourself.

1. She encourages a life of adventure  

There’s no denying that worrying is one of the top 5 pastimes of most mothers, but geocaching moms can rarely be described as ‘helicopter parents‘. Instead of wrapping up their children in cotton wool, geo-moms actively encourage getting dirty and seeking out adventure.

Of course, they’ll still likely worry but at least they’ll be there with you for support – moral or otherwise – while you’re climbing a tree, or dangling off a bridge. If only, because she wants you to pass the logbook to her next!

2. She’s not afraid to get her hands dirty

There’s nothing wrong with less mucky pursuits like tennis or knitting, but geocachers will appreciate a mother who doesn’t shirk at a bit of mud or dirt in the pursuit of that smiley.

3. Her patience is endless

I think it’s true of most mothers that seemingly inexhaustible patience is one of their many virtues. As a geocacher, this translates as an unwillingness to accept a DNF so easily. In my experience, I am always the one to give up on a cache more quickly than my mom, and more often than not, she will find it, though I’d already given up hope.

4. A shared interest means more time together…

… which in turn means a stronger bond. She may have raised you but that doesn’t necessarily mean you have a lot in common. A shared hobby like geocaching allows for more time to spend together, which can only mean a strengthened relationship.

5. She just gets you 

Spending all day from dawn to well past dusk looking for Tupperware boxes and film pots hidden in the woods; racing out of the house for an FTF in your pyjamas; the importance of earning a virtual souvenir … she understands it all. She just gets you, because she is exactly the same way.

Do you have, or are you, a geocaching mother? Let me know in the comments!

Happy Caching and a very happy Mother’s Day to all moms – geocaching or not!

Sarah

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