I mentioned in my book review Monday, that I had a whole lot to say about There's No Such Thing as Bad Weather. It was way too much for a paragraph in a book review, so today you get a whole post about a book. If books aren't your jam, then this isn't the post for you. {grin}
Last year, Emily blogged about this book and said it was life-changing, and I whole-heartedly agree. I've blogged two years in a row about wanting to make a more concerted effort to get the kids outside because I know it's really important, and last year I didn't do such a great job, so I doubled down this year. I knew reading this book would motivate me for this, and it totally did!
As backstory, the author grew up in Sweden but lives in America now raising 2 daughters, so a lot of this book covers differences between American child-rearing and Scandinavian but somewhat just about why nature is so important. The title comes from a Scandinavian saying 'There's no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing.' So basically you can always be outside - just dress appropriately.
I know I can't remember then all, but here are some of the points that really stuck with me:
- Americans focus too much on getting our kids ready for school and take away play from our kids in preschool and kindergarten. I totally agree with this as I see more and more worksheets and focus on beginning to read earlier and earlier. As I read this chapter, I was thinking about how great being at a Montessori school is for this. There is NOT a focus on reading-readiness and the whole class environment is child-led.
- Being outside is so important for development and helps kids focus when in the classroom. Again another reason I'm so thankful for a Montessori education for our children. Montessori firmly believes in the importance of nature, and the classes often have lessons outside, have gardens {remember the pictures of our school's ORCHARD}, go on nature walks, etc.
- It actually helps our immune systems to be outside. Studies have shown that preschool classes who spend a significant amount of time outside {even in winter} have less incidences of illness because they aren't in a confined space to share their germs.
- Helicopter parenting is hindering our children in numerous way - exploring, learning boundaries, developing certain skills to name a few. I am bad at this but have been trying to do better for a long time. My sister read a book a few years ago about the statistics of kids getting kidnapped, murdered, etc. and statistically speaking it's almost impossible. Yet we won't let our kids play outside by themselves like we did as kids. I know so many people who say 'My parents sent me outside in the morning and told me not to come home until dark.' That doesn't happen nowadays! I'm actively forcing myself out of my comfort zone on this one - Trent has been bike-riding with a neighbor lately by themselves!
I feel like there were a lot more things the author pointed out, but I can't remember all of them - bottom line - there's nothing negative about being outside ha.
So where does that leave me and my goals for the kids?
The kids get about an hour outside every day at school. My goal on school days is to spend another hour outside. The challenge with this is a) doing our chores, b) I still try to work when we get home, c) the kids don't really want to, and d) I need to make dinner at some point. What's happening right now is: chores aren't happening that consistently {but I'm working on the right timing}, and I'm bribing the kids with screen time - we can all go outside and if they play/help with Paige so I can work, they can have screen time when we come inside and I make dinner OR they go outside with Paige and I do some picking up/keep working and they get screen time. I don't like them having screen time every day, but I'm working on establishing being outside as part of the normal, so it's worth it in the meantime...I think.
What do we do outside?
The swing is a HUGE hit, and I wish we had more yard stuff - playscape, trampoline, something, but Brent has vetoed everything I've looked at, ha. The kids blow bubbles, play with some giant balls we have, play with Play-doh, run in the sprinklers, we take walks...anything I can think of.
I also intend for us to be outside at least 2 hours on weekend days and as the weather warms up, I want us to get outside FIRST THING in the morning to get a jump start on the time AND before it gets so dang hot. The pool will help too because we love to swim in the summers!
Have I bored everyone or do you want to read this book? Ha!
