Finding freedom in nearby nature
A story about empowering your family outdoors – and lessons for a new year.
For this last Substack of 2024, I want to share a story with you.
A while back, I was invited by one of my readers, Cynthia, to be a special guest at an online workshop about embracing the outdoors with young children. The workshop was geared toward early childhood educators and even though I don’t work with children myself, I love listening to educators’ and caregivers’ perspectives. Learning about their everyday lives guiding children in the outdoors helps me understand what their challenges are, as well as what motivates them. More than anything, I enjoy hearing the stories of how they became hooked on open-air life and nature-based education.
Cynthia’s story, especially, stayed with me.
With two boys who are just 15 months apart, Cynthia and her husband had to make some tough financial sacrifices for her to be able to stay home and care for their children. One of the first conveniences to go was her car.
At first, she felt trapped. Every day was the same as the one before and she started to feel depressed. Then it dawned on her that not having a car didn’t mean they had to be confined within four walls, so she started taking her boys for short, daily walks around the neighborhood. Outdoors, her mental load eased, and she noticed her spirits lifting. Her boys enjoyed it too, so they started staying out a little longer every day, rain or shine, even braving snowstorms and freezing temperatures. Eventually, she put a decent backpack on the credit card, so they could pack some food, drinks, extra clothes and other essentials, and venture farther from home.
“When everybody else was indoors, we were outside,” Cynthia says. “I felt empowered when I realized that I could be in control over our time, even without a lot of money and without a car. I saw the benefits for myself, and for my children.”
Starting a nature-based daycare
The experience would be transformative to Cynthia and her family in more than one way. Her boys, who are 13 and 12 today (and have been joined by another, 8-year-old brother), still remember those early everyday outdoor adventures fondly. And when Cynthia saw the benefits, both to herself and her boys, she decided to open a nature-based daycare, The Thistle and Root. Here, “life is the curriculum,” Cynthia says, with the children following a daily rhythm of playing, exploring, preparing food, cleaning up, baking, gardening, going for nature walks and building relationships. Highly influenced by Scandinavian culture and early childhood education, the program is mixed age and mostly outdoors, with a heated barn where the children can warm up, rest and enjoy their meals when it’s too cold to eat outside. Moreover, Cynthia has become an advocate for nature-based education in her community and beyond.
No single person can save the world, but we can all be a force of change by living our values and showing others what’s possible. Cynthia doesn’t live in pristine wilderness – she runs her outdoor daycare in rural Copley, Ohio – but lives by the friluftsliv ethos of making the most of your nearby nature.
Life-changing habits
While I don’t run a nature-based daycare like Cynthia, I felt a similar disconnect when I was a new mother in rural Indiana. Not only was I struggling to adapt to my new homeland, but I was also fighting a bout of baby blues. It was the daily walks with my newborn daughter that helped me stay afloat during those early days. I’d go as far as saying that they were life changing.
As we enter a new year, I want to encourage you to think outside the confines of the four walls of your home. What are the new outdoor habits you’ll establish in 2025? How can you make the most of your nearby nature? And how can you be a positive force of change in your community?
Personally, I’m setting a goal to sleep outside at least once per month next year. I’m making it a challenge because I know that helps me stay committed. Plus, by making it public there’s always the chance that it’ll inspire somebody else to follow suit.
With that, I’d like to wish you a Happy New Year. Let’s do this!
One thing to contemplate
“Sometimes the smallest steps outdoors can lead to the greatest transformations.”
Two things to do
Align with the lunar cycles and create moon-lit memories by signing up for a membership to the Kids Moon Club (affiliate link). This year-long guided journey uses stories, crafts, food and art to root your family deeper in nature. But hurry up - doors close on December 31!
Take on a challenge designed to get you outside more in 2025. For example, track your time outdoors and try to get to 1000 hours outside, commit to do a weekly hike for a total of 52 hikes in a year, or join me as I attempt to sleep outside once a month.
Three things to read
Wilder Child (affiliate link) is an enchanting new picture book based on a poem by my good friend Nicolette Sowder. If you love nature and have a young child in your care, this book is for you.
Combat winter blues with friluftsliv. This interview is a reminder why we need to keep up our outdoor habits even when it’s dark and cold outside.
Bad habits to keep in 2025. As a contrast to all the goals, challenges and New Year’s resolutions, the editors of Outside Magazine share which bad outdoor habits they’re planning to hold on to. Enjoy!
See you outside!
Linda
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The beauty of being bored in nature
Why I don’t use the term “bad” weather
Before you go...
I have a curated selection of some of my favorite children's outerwear at Outdoor School Shop. When you shop through the link, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Check out the Rain or Shine Mamma shop at ODSS here.
I've published two books: There's No Such Thing as Bad Weather and The Open-Air Life. If you enjoyed them, you can help others find them by leaving an Amazon review here and here respectively.
I often get interviewed about outdoor play and nature connection at various podcasts. You can find all the episodes I've participated in here.
Do you have a book club or head up a nature play community? I love doing virtual author visits! Just hit reply to this message to connect.
I do virtual speaking events for corporations, non-profits and online summits. You can read more about that here.
Do YOU have something going on in the nature connection space that you think this community should hear about? If so, hit 'reply' and let me know what you're up to - I'd be happy to share!