Welcome to the June Carnival of Natural Parenting: Outdoor fun
This post was written for inclusion in the monthly Carnival of Natural Parenting hosted by Hobo Mama and Code Name: Mama. This month our participants have shared their stories and tips for playing outside with kids. Please read to the end to find a list of links to the other carnival participants.
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He’s barely been up for thirty minutes and already he beckons. Standing at the door, a shoe in one hand, and an enthusiastic wave with the other, “buh-bye,” he says, again and again, looking at me, expectantly, waiting for me to heed his call. The outdoors calls to him like no other force in his life except, perhaps, mama’s milk.
I look at my babe, then I look at our apartment. Mountains of dishes and laundry. Dusty bookshelves and crumbs on the floor. A bathtub that needs scrubbing and diapers that need folding. Toys and clutter everywhere.
Just as I’m sizing up all that needs to be done, his call interrupts my thoughts. “Buh-bye,” he says one more time and I know it is done. I turn my back on all the chores, get my shoes, and head outside. I follow him, trusting his wisdom, that it is better to get outside and enjoy the day than to stay in.
Being outside is, in the mind of my little guy, primary. What we do once we are there is secondary and to him, largely, unimportant. The destination isn’t important, but the journey is.
