Why more time outside? There are dozens of good reasons, but as moms in this modern go-go-go, now-now-now world of do more, be more, more more…we need to DE-STRESS.
Being outside reduces stress. We need less stress. Our kids need less stress.
Being outside also increases connection and combats feelings of loneliness—two things we need to prioritize for ourselves and our children.
Going outside doesn’t have to be as complex as we sometimes imagine it needs to be. So many people feel that to be “outside in nature,” we have to have a formal plan for an elaborate hike or memorable canoe trip with loads of gear. Not at all. It can be as simple as creating a daily routine that involves stepping out your door and taking a deep breath with your first sip of coffee. It can time at the park after school to provide an outlet for your child to decompress when they need it. It can look like a family stroll down the street after dinner or children playing in the yard. In fact, simple is what we’re after.
September is all about taking the mystery out of being outdoors. Too many families are starting to feel like being outside is “not a good use of time,” “too much work,” or even “too dirty.” This isn’t every one or every family. My family goes outside a lot…but those times are often cut short because I feel like we need to move on to something more productive. Or I use too many moments when my kids are occupied outside to get more work done instead of being present. It’s time to see the productive side of being outdoors. It’s time to acknowledge the stress reducing benefits of quality time outside and act on those truths instead of just reading about them.
Society as a whole is so far detached from nature and regular outside time. Recesses are being shortened or taken away as punishment. People are shaming parents online for not allowing their children to watch television or play video games. What sealed the deal for me was when I heard someone claim that denying a child time to watch TV is a form of child abuse.
That accusation disgusted me to my core. The Go Outside Guided Journal was already in the works, but when I heard that accusation I knew it had to become a priority.
Negative views, excuses, societal pressure…all of these things needs to change. And that change begins with us, mamas. One day at a time, one step at a time. Each time we step outside with intention, we make an impression on our children. We model healthy behavior. We model a love and appreciation for our natural world that we rely on for life. We model how to de-stress. We model growth, change, connection, and decompression. These lessons (though seemingly small now) are ones they will carry into adulthood so that when they feel the pressures of being a grown up, they have a memory to tap into—a life skill to get them through times of stress. Go outside. Take a deep breath. Reconnect with what’s important.
What September’s Guided Journal Looks Like
Week 1: Observe
Week 2: Take Action
Week 3: Look at Loneliness
Week 4: Family Values/Goals
Create a Goal
Choose a goal for yourself and your family. Here is a list of ideas. (This list is inspired by my own…I totally understand that not everyone has a beach near them. Beach can easily be replaced with park, trail, etc.). Pick one or more ideas from the list or create your own. Do what is best for you and your family. Feel free to start off general and get more specific after observing during Week One.
* Go outside every day for a whole month, no exceptions
* Find a permanent time block to make outside part of our daily rhythm/schedule
* Compile nature books for the kids to read and learn
* Read one book on the importance of being outside/in nature
* Create an outdoor space for my kids to play, explore, and dig
* Actively take a moment and find beauty in nature every day
* Bring the kids in on that moment of beauty & encourage them to find their own
* Go to the beach once per week
* Look to see if the leaves are changing color each day during September
* Bring more beautiful flowers, shells, and rocks into the house for decoration
* Maintain our nature table in the schoolroom
* Bring up the topic of outdoor time with mom friends to get ideas for my own family
Commit to It
Keep your goal in mind. Write it down. Put it on the fridge. Tell your family about it. Get everyone on board. Make it happen. Get over the mental blocks that keep you from going outside every day during the month of September. Rain? Go out anyway. Cold wind? Put on a jacket. Find yourself going to bed and realizing you haven’t had quality time outside today? Get up and go look at the moon & stars in your pajamas. Show up for yourself. You’re worth it.
Feel inspired and want to read more on the importance of being outside with our children? Here are my book suggestions for the grown ups. Want children’s book suggestions for this month’s topic? Almost all children’s books (especially picture books) take place outside, when you really look at them. For a list of my favorites, visit Lori Beth’s Library. Or follow our Instagram and Facebook stories for more suggestions.
Book Suggestions
Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder by Richard Louv
Sharing Nature with Children: The Classic Parents’ & Teachers’ Nature Awareness Guidebook by Joseph Bharat Cornell
I Love Dirt! 52 Activities to Help You and Your Kids Discover the Wonders of Nature by Jennifer Ward, Susie Ghahremani (Illustrator), Richard Louv (Foreword)
Roots, Shoots, Buckets Boots: Gardening Together with Children by Sharon Lovejoy
Fifteen Minutes Outside: 365 Ways to Get Out of the House and Connect with Your Kids by Rebecca P. Cohen
The Rhythm of Family: Discovering a Sense of Wonder through the Seasons by Amanda Blake Soule, Stephen Soule
Home Grown: Adventures in Parenting off the Beaten Path, Unschooling, and Reconnecting with the Natural World by Ben Hewitt
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