What good moms do!
So back last week at letter L when we were all “Yay Technology” because L is for LeapPad, I commented about how the aspirational mom-me had these visions about how parenthood would unfold.
You know, before I had kids.
When I was an expert.
One thing I was big on was unstructured outdoor play.
Because childhood today is SUPER structured.
From organized sports and activities, to coordinated play dates, to screen time. It’s not like it “used to be”, right?
You know, back in those free-range days where you locked the kids out of the house for hours to go amuse themselves and they just wandered the streets unsupervised Lord of the Flies style?
Rare aspirational mom moment which became reality & was caught on camera.
Or if Lord of the Flies is too extreme, how about Stand By Me?
Wait, they found a dead body in that one.
Okay, how about like in E.T. when they found an awesome alien and learnt valuable life lessons?
No. The Internet confirmed I don’t want to be that mom.
That kid got to save a killer whale and his foster parents were super supportive despite being pushed to break the law in order to help him out.
There’s also that signature picture which, as a parent, I find way less “Go be free Willy!” and way more “Please don’t fall on my kid Willy!”
Links to source.
Okay, I’m over thinking this.
Damn you movies!
See? Screen time is clearly evil.
O is for Outdoor Fun. Studies clearly show Canadian kids need more of it.
Working parenthood sometimes makes it hard to get outdoors. But actual parent-me and my husband still make an effort with our kids.
And when I feel I should do more, I consider that. But a surf of blog posts past here makes me feel, overall, that we are doing okay on this.
Just a sample – I was pleasantly thrilled with how many I could have chosen from…
Overall, I think life is about living.
It’s about getting outdoors, out of your home and discovering everything the world beyond your front door has to offer.
Whether that’s skating on the street:
Staring in wonder at something new:
Or just exploring:
I took this on a particularly warm weekend in late September when I took my girls out for an afternoon at Hog’s Back – a gorgeous park, waterfall, wooded area in the middle of Ottawa
I want to give my kids the chance to get out and see the world.
Earlier this year, some days that was as simple as letting them sled on the snow pile in our front yard while I heated up the car before school.
Last fall, it was letting the 12-year-old girl across the street take my eldest on endless tours around the block on her bike once she’d finally mastered no training wheels.
In the near future, it may be letting my eldest walk home from the community centre or tour the block on her bike on her own.
But ultimately? It’s about learning to appreciate and partake in the beauty of the natural world around us.
There are many times, sitting at my computer or at my job, where at the end of the day I’d rather not.
Until we get back outside.
And then I am so much better for it.
Baby Gates Down 
You’ve done well with your outdoor activities, especially given the Canadian outdoors is freezing for much of the year. I ensured I went for a walk along the beach today. I felt really bad when I saw my friend’s photos of her at the beach with her kids while I’d spent a beautiful day indoors writing and doing research. I felt much better mentally and physically for that.
Take care.
xx Rowena
LikeLike
I find Canadian winters really hard as I’m not a winter sport person. I like my water melted (ie: swimmer, not skater or skier). But with young kids it’s easy enough. Really, when I don’t have it in me for anything else they just sled down the mountain from shovelling the driveway and I watch from the front porch and it’s all kinds of fun.
But outdoor life in summer – whole different game for me. I am happier after being outside too. Doesn’t have to be big – a walk to the park, a bit of biking around the block. Good perspective. And doesn’t need to be a beach! But I think even looking at pictures of water improves my mood too 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am finding that I really need to take myself in hand at the moment. I get so caught up in my research and writing, that everything is very close-up. Today, I went to the beach and the ocean and sky felt like such a huge expanse. Reminded me of the importance of wide spaces.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very well put! Said I, sitting at my computer at work with the blinds shut!!!
LikeLike
But that is just at moment of typing. I admit to seeing the humour in posting about active living rather than just getting out there and doing it 🙂 May you have seen the sun and walked out into the world after that!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Children and the outdoors just go together.
LikeLike
Agreed!
LikeLiked by 1 person
“You know, before I had kids. When I was an expert.” Hahahaha I love this!
Kids take to the outdoors on their own usually, as long as they get a chance to. It comes so naturally to them, given all the curiosity they have. Screentime is definitely bad and addictive, but I think when presented with a choice, kids would voluntarily choose the outdoors.
LikeLike
Humbled to know I amused the writer!
Generally my kids choose outdoors for a bit when presented the option, but also want the TV. The days they don’t watch TV they notice, because they think it’s exceptional. That gives me parenting pause. ‘Tis a fine balance….
LikeLike
I agree getting outside is so important. We are lucky in that we live on a lake so when my girls were younger we were outside all the time. Sadly, it’s harder to motivate teenagers to get out but we keep trying. There is nothing to replace getting outside. It completely recharges you. I love it. WeekendsInMaine
LikeLike
That IS lucky! We are pretty close to greenspaces, but it’s still a short drive. It will be bike-able in the not too distant future for them too and then it will be a whole new world as far as outdoor fun goes (I hope – unless I’m completely out of shape by then…).
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pingback: A-Z Challenge Reflection/Meet & Greet! | A Texan's View of Upstate New York