Reflection of your choice

Nature or "outside" is such an important part of the lives of children. Richard Louv describes the importance so perfectly in his writing "Gifts of Nature". I remember as soon as I got home from school and my homework was done, I would rip off my school clothes and put on my play clothes and run out the door. I would not come inside until it was dark. Shoes were not a necessity. Shoot they were more of a problem than a need. I caught tadpoles for hours. I chased chickens until I was out of breath. I rode my bike everywhere. I smelled like a hobo by the time I came in and my body was filthy, full of dirt and sweat, but my fingernails were painted, nice pretty pink. My cousin and I made a house out of a great big dirt pile and leaves were our money. We collected different color dirt, large and small leaves, sticks, and rocks. We wrapped the different color dirt in the leaves and that was our pretend food. Swinging on the tree rope was fun even when it gave you a nice rope burn.

Mu children don't see this closeness to nature. I don't know how to provide them with what I had. I grew up this way because I was poor and lived on a farm. I had an outhouse. My kids would not even know what an outhouse was if I showed them. I try to go outside and play with them as much as I can, but it seems as if activities need to be planned now a days. Children don't amuse themselves as much as we did growing up. A stick, dirt, and a bike took care of us for hours. If I gave my children those same three things they would think I was crazy. It is not that they are stuck up or too proud to play with them it is just that they would not know how. Kids now a days have so many other options to stay inside.

I must say that the park for my children is fun and they will play with sand there, but not at home. The beach is fun and the zoo is fun, but those are all outings that must still be planned. I wonder how I can provide the closeness that I had with nature for my children? Any ideas?

Autumn Barionnette