Healthy Parenting for Healthy Kids!

I am sitting in the garden, admiring the blooms that have survived the football, trying to appreciate the last bit of sun while ignoring the chilly breeze.

To me summer means outdoors, open spaces, fresh air, lots of light, longer days.  And I’m not looking to give these up so fast.  My children, too, are resisting.  They got soaked coming home from school the other day, but when I suggested that it might be time to get the coats out there was a great moan ‘we don’t want winter to come’.  They don’t like the restrictions of extra layers and closed doors; they enjoy the freedom of the warm weather.

So while I know we can’t stay out with my brave flowers I am looking for ways to get less bogged down by winter.

We spent a couple of weeks this August in Exmoor forest, North Devon.  We have stayed in this area before, but it only gets more beautiful with each visit.  The weather was, well shall we say…not good, but we didn’t let it stop us.  The beauty of the countryside is not dependent on the sun.  I noticed that some of the most beautiful pictures of Exmoor are taken in the snow and this area attracts visitors at all times of the year.  The trees turn the most incredible colours in autumn and are covered with fascinating icicles in winter and nature lovers don’t let the cold stop them enjoying the fresh outdoors.

I admit it is not quite as straightforward when taking children out, there is a lot to think about, but with planning it is certainly possible.  The old rule of many layers works well, dress the kids with a t-shirt and a turtle-neck between their vest and top so you know they are well covered. Keeping a bag of spare sweatshirts and extra scarves in the back of the car is useful.  Also a spare pair of socks and trousers for that inevitable slip.  Some wet wipes and tissues will come in useful and some filling snacks.

Somehow the winter is slower paced and quieter so you get to notice the little miracles like the birds and the bugs.  There is also an added advantage in the fact that there are no expectations of the weather, so you make a go of it whatever comes along.  It’s incredible how much fun you can have sloshing through the puddles…

Tags: Chilly Breeze, climate changes, Coming Home, for kids, Fresh Air, healthy kids, kids, kids activities, Miracles, Nature Lovers, Open Spaces, Parenting, parenting advice, season changes, Warm Weather, Wet Wipes