Oh, Dearest Mother, Sweetest Virgin of Altagracia, our Patroness. You are our Advocate and to you we recommend our needs. You are our Teacher and like disciples we come to learn from the example of your holy life. You are our Mother, and like children, we come to offer you all of the love of our hearts. Receive, dearest Mother, our offerings and listen attentively to our supplications. Amen.



Active Topics || Favorites || Member List || Search || About Us || Help || Register || Login
Exploring God's Creation in Nature and Science
 4Real Forums : Exploring God's Creation in Nature and Science
Subject Topic: Cultivating an outdoor life Post ReplyPost New Topic
Author
Message << Prev Topic | Next Topic >>
KellyB
Forum Newbie
Forum Newbie


Joined: Feb 09 2014
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 49
Posted: Feb 09 2014 at 10:35pm | IP Logged Quote KellyB
Hello -
This is a question I ponder often, and thought I would seek out others' experience and ideas. I grew up as a mostly-indoors child. Yes, I was outside but not a whole lot. As I have embraced nature study for my boys, I am trying very hard to become more comfortable outside. It's a work in progress. During good weather, I make sure my boys get outside and am always looking for ways to encourage that when they say they don't want to go.

A big part of this, I believe, is for ME to embrace the outdoor life. My challenge is that I am so used to "doing" all of the time that beyond gardening and bird watching, I'm not sure what to do. Does that make sense? I want to be comfortable wandering around, getting dirty, or whatever but I find such security inside my home. I want to be more adventurous in my backyard when the weather turns a bit warmer. I want to live that outdoor life but it always seems just out of my grasp. I want to set a good example for my boys.

Do you have anything to share that might help and inspire me?

Thank you!
Kelly
Back to Top View KellyB's Profile Search for other posts by KellyB
 
Aagot
Forum All-Star
Forum All-Star


Joined: Aug 06 2010
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 649
Posted: Feb 10 2014 at 3:51am | IP Logged Quote Aagot
Hi Kelly,
Welcome! What a good question!
I find that it helps to get outside first thing in the morning. If I start to clean, organize or plan, first thing, then it is easier to get stuck inside. If I start outside, then I stay outside longer.

Also, if the house gets cleaned up the night before so nothing grabs my attention and if I am ready to go with school ( look over everything before I go to bed), then it is easier to go outside knowing that we can pick up with school when we get back.

For those times when I know we will go farther from home, it really helps to pack a lunch or snack the night before too. Then there is no excuse not to leave.

Hope that helps some.
Back to Top View Aagot's Profile Search for other posts by Aagot
 
SeaStar
Forum Moderator
Forum Moderator
Avatar

Joined: Sept 16 2006
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 9068
Posted: Feb 10 2014 at 5:55am | IP Logged Quote SeaStar
I always like to grab my camera and trail my kids .

Like you, I find I like to be "doing". Sometimes I take knitting or a book outside and just sit, available to admire birds.bugs, etc. Sometimes I am the swing pusher. Sometimes we play hide and seek- always a favorite.

Taking a walk or a bike ride is always popular, but many times the kids will find a game of their own and just like being able to look up and see me there. I don't necessarily have to be doing anything.

I do really like taking pictures outdoors, though- better backgrounds than inside the house!

__________________
Melinda, mom to ds ('02) and dd ('04)


SQUILT Music Appreciation
Back to Top View SeaStar's Profile Search for other posts by SeaStar
 
JodieLyn
Forum Moderator
Forum Moderator
Avatar

Joined: Sept 06 2006
Location: Oregon
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 12234
Posted: Feb 10 2014 at 12:13pm | IP Logged Quote JodieLyn
I think you might find Louisa May Alcott books inspiring. Her characters are often going outside to spend time but it doesn't mean they're doing things that are exclusively outside items.

I would suggest that perhaps you need some comfortable outdoor furniture.. so that you like to go out and sit there with a cup of coffee (or tea or whatever).

And then what about doing your read alouds outside. Or science experiments if you don't have a dedicated space anyway. What about art? I personally love it when we do painting or such outside instead of in the house.

Also, consider how much neater the house stays if the kids stay outside. There would be less to do in the house.

What about cooking outdoors? My kids adore picnics and especially as we come up on summer I try and plan things around the electric roaster or crock pot or rice cooker than can be set outside rather than heating up the house and of course the bbq to grill foods.

If you don't have some decent shade, you might want to get some sort of pop up shade tent or something so that you can sit out there to do things without the glare and burning when you can't get out of the sun.



__________________
Jodie, wife to Dave
G-18, B-17, G-15, G-14, B-13, B-11, G-9, B-7, B-5, B-4

All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education.
-Sir Walter Scott
Back to Top View JodieLyn's Profile Search for other posts by JodieLyn
 

If you wish to post a reply to this topic you must first login
If you are not already registered you must first register

  [Add this topic to My Favorites] Post ReplyPost New Topic
Printable version Printable version

Forum Jump
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot create polls in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum

Hosting and Support provided by theNetSmith.com