I like being busy and enjoy challenging myself through many different avenues. However, sometimes it is absolutely CRUCIAL for us (and you) to take an hour (or two or three or an entire day) and just stop.
Don't worry about dinner being late.
Don't worry about making it to the end of the trail.
Don't rush the kids.
Don't tell them not to get dirty or they have just "5 minutes more."
It's ok to spend an entire hour (or more) throwing rocks into the river.
It's ok to come home with wet pants and dirt where you didn't know dirt could go.
It's ok to let the baby nap in the stroller (or baby carrier or wherever.)
It's ok to let the kids dictate your outdoor time for a day.
Bring snacks.
Bring sunscreen.
Bring hats.
Bring extra layers (and extra clothes!)
Bring sunglasses.
Bring water.
Forget your watch, your Smartphone and your "Adult-sense of urgency."
As spring approaches here, this is a reminder for myself (and anyone else who wants to take the challenge.): Enjoy being outside with no limitations, no fancy plans, no particular trails. And watch your kids (oh, and YOU) thrive!
Anyone else have a great weekend of some unstructured outdoor play? (Or know they NEED to do this???)
We try to incorporate unstructured play into our lives as much as possible even if it's only for an hour or so. With all our interests and activities I think it's important just to enjoy the moment. One of the things we try to do is to let our son take the lead. He has no concept of time, no concept of must dos, no agenda. Because of all the things between here and there, we may never reach the "end" of the trail, we may spend an hour "fishing" in the creek, we go into the trees following "rabbit tracks", we may have to put every piece of clothing in the laundry but we always learn something new, we always have lots of laughs, the muscles in our bodies relax and we learn to breathe.
ReplyDeletePerfect! That is EXACTLY what we need to do more often! And love that...."lots of laugh, relaxing and breathing!" :)
DeleteI love taking Sylvia to the park and just following her lead... sometimes we hike every trail, other times we do eighteen laps of the same tree or don't stray far from the play equipment. It's a great week-day activity, or even weekend when we can't get away for a grand adventure. It can be for a long or as short a time as you want it - sometimes we stop on our way home from the grocery store or other errands, to kind of even the score. (1 hr in an artificially-lit box store = 1 hour of exploring in the park). On really busy days, we might just sit on the front stoop for a few minutes looking at icicles or bugs.
ReplyDeleteIt's the little things, right? Those moments are SO very precious and good for the SOUL! :)
Deletei have really been enjoying this spring because my littles are at the age that they happily (and safely) seek out free form play together, without needing much adult interaction or interference. we live in a place that makes it easy to just let them out and let them be. i love peeking out through the windows or listening to them around the corner, coming up with games to play and imaginary scenarios that i would never come up with, were i right there beside them. free play, especially outside, is so good for ALL of us. it truly makes a difference in our everyday well being and state of mind :)
ReplyDeleteI was just thinking how kids with siblings definitely have the advantage.....a built-in playmate for fun free play! :)
DeleteLove it. I'm gonna go find a river and throw rocks. You inspire me.
ReplyDelete