One of the great things about playing in nature is that bouts of exertion and excitement are often interspersed with quiet, contemplative time. I don’t have to recommend these quiet moments… my five-year-old sits down and calms himself entirely on his own whenever he’s inspired by the beauty around him. I often wonder what he’s … Continue reading »
This is the backyard of my childhood home. These are the places I played as a child, building forts, climbing trees, scaling mountains, running from dinosaurs, becoming a world explorer, digging like an archaeologist, wading in the creek, catching crawdads, watching frogs lay eggs, and observing the development of pollywogs. This was the play of … Continue reading »
With summer only a couple months away, it’s time to begin training for summer hiking in the Sierras. Also, after the social and kid-oriented Easter festivities yesterday, I really needed to regroup this morning with a little alone time. I also felt the need for some exercise after the feast at my parent’s house yesterday. … Continue reading »
As much as I love my family and friends, sometimes I need to get out into nature for a little alone time. Today my husband suggested he take our son to a friend’s sixth birthday party, so that I could go out for a hike. Hm… birthday party with ten or more kids, spun out … Continue reading »
“Everyone needs to have some downtime in a quiet place where they’re not interrupted – even kids. Or especially kids. It’s healthy to provide your child with her own space to simply reflect, think, imagine, wonder, and be alone. Quiet time, without television, video games, or other stimulation, promotes thinking and relaxation, and it allows … Continue reading »
Getting outside every day is a necessity for me, both for my physical and emotional health. I begin to feel a little, well, off when I’ve been inside too long, and I’ve noticed my son is the same way. I can get sucked into staying in the house as easily as the next mom, letting … Continue reading »
