Leafing through my homesteading notebook, I came upon an old article encouraging natural time for your child. I had saved this article, Raise a Kid Who Loves the Earth, in hopes that I would get my children more actively engaged with Mother Nature. Since it was read and filed away, this simple list of manageable adventures have become part of our outdoor routines. When reviewing the list, I found we've done everything suggested, aside from the camping part.
The very night I uncovered the article, we set up tents and slept under the stars (and a bit of rain) for three joyous nights. How much fun it is to cuddle up and look at the stars at night with my babes. At one point, at a bit past midnight, I found myself outside attempting to put a cover on the tent as the rain started. I looked down at my husband who was grinning and chuckling inside the tent and thinking to himself, "Why won't the cover stay up? I should probably be out there helping her." The quiet and fresh air helped us to lighten up and enjoy the moment together.
And now we already have two camping trips (out of the yard) scheduled for this summer. Yes, we are slowly evolving and moving in the right direction. I am so thankful for my children and I sharing a love for the great outdoors and know they will help me to fall even more in love with Mother Nature as they grow.
Author's List:
The very night I uncovered the article, we set up tents and slept under the stars (and a bit of rain) for three joyous nights. How much fun it is to cuddle up and look at the stars at night with my babes. At one point, at a bit past midnight, I found myself outside attempting to put a cover on the tent as the rain started. I looked down at my husband who was grinning and chuckling inside the tent and thinking to himself, "Why won't the cover stay up? I should probably be out there helping her." The quiet and fresh air helped us to lighten up and enjoy the moment together.
And now we already have two camping trips (out of the yard) scheduled for this summer. Yes, we are slowly evolving and moving in the right direction. I am so thankful for my children and I sharing a love for the great outdoors and know they will help me to fall even more in love with Mother Nature as they grow.
Author's List:
- Play in the yard
- Frolic in the rain
- Take a hike
- Visit a nature center
- Plant something
- Climb a tree
- Go camping
Nature on the 'Net (Parents Magazine Resources):
- Get tips for reducing your impact on nature at the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics, lnt.org.
- Resarch endangered resources at the Nature Conservancy, nature.org.
- Find kid-friendly outings through the Sierra Club, sierraclub.org.
- Play with the educational tools at the National Wildlife Federation's children's site, nwf.org/kids.
- Buy gear for your next adventure at Recreational Equipment Inc., rei.com.
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| one warm and cozy camper |
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| Two of our favorite things: books and tents |
