Category: Benefits of Nature
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Mental Health Day at the Stimpson Family Nature Reserve
One of things that is hardest for me about parenting is the lack of time alone. Time to process, to think, to let all the other planning and thinking rest for awhile. I’ve learned over the years how important it is for me to get away by myself for some rejuvenation. I generally try to…
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Book Review and Giveaway: How to Raise a Wild Child by Scott Sampson
A decade ago, Richard Louv came out with the groundbreaking book Last Child in the Woods. He sounded the alarm for parents and caregivers about how our children are not getting enough time in nature, and the consequences of this paucity of exposure. Now Dr. Scott Sampson has written a book to help parents with…
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Hunting Beauty
I am a hunter of beauty and I move slow and I keep the eyes wide, every fiber of every muscle sensing all wonder and this is the thrill of the hunt and I could be an expert on the life full, the beauty meat that lurks in every moment. …
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And A Child Shall Lead Them: A Nature Walk
Sometimes my kids know better than I do what they need. Lately Annika has been asking every day to go out into nature, to have a peaceful walk in the forest. We are fortunate to have a green belt behind our home (it was one of the reasons we picked this house) and it makes…
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School at the Beach
We had plans yesterday to go to the Seattle Art Museum for First Thursday, when it’s free, but with a forecast of warm sunshine, I just couldn’t bear to be inside all day. I wasn’t feeling up for a hike, though, and we hadn’t spent much time at the beach this summer, so we all…
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Exploring Nature with Wonder
Many years ago, Before Kids, I worked as an Environmental Educator for a local parks department. We worked at the beaches and in a forested park, leading groups of children and adults, spring through fall, on field trips and nature discovery programs. We would have several activities to guide children to learn more about the…
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Book Review: The Young Birder’s Guide, Plus Interview with Bill Thompson III
As I posted awhile back, I recently received a package of books from a publisher to review. One of these books was The Young Birder’s Guide to Birds of North America by Bill Thompson III. We have several birding guides on our bookshelves, but we could see right away that this book is different. It…
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Guest Post with Julie Zickefoose: “Asking More of Kids”
Some parents I’ve talked to since I’ve been blogging and hiking have confided in me some of the difficulties they face in working toward the goal of getting their kids out in nature more often. Some moms want to hike with their kids, but haven’t done it before, and need reassurance and guidance. I admit…
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Easter Sunshine
Easter Weekend is always a bit dicey in terms of weather here in the Pacific Northwest. Often it is rainy and cool, making those egg hunts and pretty Easter dresses a bit impractical. But this year we lucked out and got some fabulous sunshine and warm weather. We were able to enjoy our egg hunts…
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Nature Buffers Effects of Stressful Life Events for Children
I’ve had a lot of thoughts swirling through my head lately. Wondering if it’s good to take so much time away from home responsibilities and travel around to find cool hikes to do. Wondering about myself and my drive to get out into nature. Wondering about my kids and their education, and what do they…