Excerpt from original post: True Confessions of a Nature Mom
I am a nature mom. And here’s what that means to me:
- I do not have a green thumb.
- I don’t participate in any outdoor adventure sports (such as rock climbing, mountain biking, kayaking or the like).
- At most, our family camps a few nights each summer, usually as part of a family vacation.
- We eat plenty of non-organic foods.
- I’ve never been backpacking and don’t really have the urge to try it.
- I love spending time indoors. Preferably with a good TV show or movie on tap.
- The Explorers watch TV shows and movies, too. They also use computers and iPads.
- Both kids attend our neighborhood public school and are involved in extracurricular activities.
- During the school year, most of our grander nature adventures are limited to weekends and holidays.
- I don’t let my kids (who are 6 and 9 ½) walk to or from school alone, play in the park solo or ride the bus alone.
- I absolutely detest cold weather. And by cold, I mean anything under 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
This same mom (that’s me, remember?) is fine with my kids getting dirty – in fact, I encourage it. I don’t mind messes (as long as they’re eventually cleaned up) and I have no problem going more than a day without a shower.
I love crawly critters, road trips, a nice warm spot to sit while I dip my feet in a cold river, mountains, fresh air and watching my kids discover the wonder of this great huge planet we call home.
Why am I telling you all of this? Because I want you to see that it doesn’t take any special skills or training to be an outdoor parent. You don’t have to been physically fit, like cold weather or know the names of every bug your kid discovers.
All you need is a willingness to get outdoors, go exploring and to take your kids with you.
If I can do it, anyone can do it. Even you. Especially you.
