A Week Outside

As the weather gets warmer we are spending more and more time outdoors. I know this may change after it gets really hot and unbearable, but for now we are enjoying the sun. We are spending so much time outside that my kids are actually just relaxing in the shade and reading or drawing instead of constantly running around.

I’m finding that the more time I let them have to be “bored” the more creative and inquisitive they become. It’s awesome.

I might not always get the dishes done or have the cleanest bathrooms because we’re spending hours outside. And because we’re being intentional about being outside I’ve noticed that my boys are happier and I’m more patient. Being outside is teaching me to slow down.

It takes effort to be intentionally slow. But when we slow down we have more patience, we’re not in a hurry to get places and our anxiety level reduces. Being slow means we get to have more quality time together, we get to really dig in and learn with each other. We take our time to do our work well. We might not be the fastest but our work is solid. Slowing down teaches my boys that we make time for them and they are important.

Go Outside.
Slow Down.