Family Life | Eco-Mothering

Keep the Family Busy with an Active and Outdoorsy Summer

June 25, 2013 - 5:30 am | Family Life, Nature

Backyard Camping Trip

Pitch a tent and pull out the sleeping bags, flashlights and lanterns. If you’ve got a fire pit or portable grill, you can cook your meals over a real fire. Don’t forget the chocolate bars, marshmallows and graham crackers! Sit around the fire at night and tell ghost stories or sing campfire songs while indulging in S’mores. While sitting fireside, play educational games about health such as Kool Smiles dental bingo or download coloring pages from oncoloring.com.

Down and Dirty in the Vegetable Garden

The North Dakota State University “Food Wi$e” page and the Family Nutrition Program promote hands-on experiences for kids. Gardening teaches kids about science, reading, math, organization and responsibility. Kids may be more interested in eating the vegetables they grew themselves because of a sense of pride and accomplishment. Choose veggies kids are likely to try such as carrots, tomatoes, green beans and peas. Add fruits such as melons, strawberries, raspberries and blueberries if you have the gardening space. If you’re feeling really ambitious and live in the right climate, plant fruit trees.

Bring lessons from the backyard into the kitchen. Encourage kids to help with cooking and teach them the value of using nutritional ingredients.

Cooling Off

Heading to an outdoor community swimming pool or vacationing at the beach is a summertime must. Kids love to swim and play in the water, and it’s excellent exercise with multiple benefits . Make sure they wear plenty of sunscreen and stay hydrated. Before you arrive at the pool, establish rules with your kids. Explain the dangers of wandering off without permission and why they should never be in the water without supervision.

Neighborhood Games

Plan a scavenger hunt for hidden treasures around the yard. While searching for items, kids learn teamwork and collaboration. Invite neighborhood families to participate by hiding objects in back and front yards as well as on decks and patios. Create a list of what kids need to find and make sure adults are supervising, especially if you do a nighttime treasure hunt.

Plan an outdoor potluck-style cookout to celebrate when the hunt is complete. Other ideas include jump-rope contests, hula-hoop tournaments and these top 10 neighborhood outdoor games.

Whatever you do, summer is the season for getting outside!

About the Author: Allison Davis is a stay-at-home mom who guest posts for several mommy blogs. She likes to write about green topics and how mothers can encourage a green lifestyle.

Top 5 Reasons I’m Glad I Married My Husband

May 31, 2013 - 5:30 am | Family Life, Top 5 Fridays

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Today is my 15th wedding anniversary. Yikes. Fifteen years ago, Mike and I were living in Champaign, Illinois, where we married in a friend’s backyard in a simple, self-designed ceremony.

While marriage hasn’t always been easy, it has been an eye-opening and soul-stirring adventure. In honor of today, here are five very important husband qualities Mike possesses that have helped to make it work.

He’s open-minded.

And agreeable to nearly everything I propose. Like changing our last name. Or moving to Rhode Island. Or co-sleeping. Not that I run the show, mind you, but our relationship has always been an equal one where we remain open to the possibilities in life instead of sticking to a pre-blazed path that doesn’t fit us. Even now, neither of us knows where life will take us next. Toward another country? Toward adoption? I love that we’re both flexible and adaptable to new ideas.
He shares my sense of adventure.

You won’t find either of us bungee jumping off a cliff or signing up for Survivor. But we did relocate across the country to a new city sight unseen (twice). Luckily, our standards of adventure also seem to change together. For instance, ten years ago we backpacked through the Scottish Highlands and sought lodging the day we needed it. (And ended up in a huge fight in Stirling where we barely found a place due to a sold-out Proclaimers concert). Last year, on our anniversary trip to Italy, we agreed on the comfort and security of booking in advance.
He makes me laugh.

And he thinks I’m funny. Which is seriously important. When we first met at work 20 years ago, I immediately gelled with his sarcastic and situational sense of humor. In our mid-twenties, we spent our Saturday mornings cracking up over Earthworm Jim. Today I love his playfulness and silliness with our daughter and the fact that Mike and I can carry on an entire conversation by trading movie lines.
He’s a feminist.

See item #1 where I mentioned changing our last name. How many guys do that? I refused to take his name under the principle of not being his property. I didn’t want to keep separate names for the future problem of our children either having only his name or a hyphenated mess (e.g.: Sofie Cappiella-DeGuzman). So we created a name that combined elements from each of us. The “De” from his Filipino DeGuzman and “Forbes” from the Scottish clan of my maternal grandfather.

Aside from that, Mike has a deep respect for women, their nurturing influence and compassionate wisdom. We once played a game in which the question was asked: “What one event in world history would you change?” Players privately wrote down answers that were later read aloud. We had to guess who had written each answer. In the midst of responses such as “the Holocaust” or “the election of George W. Bush,” two of us had come to the same conclusion: “When we changed from a matriarchal society to a patriarchal one.” Ooh, I love him.
He made half of Sofie.

And I can’t imagine anything more beautiful than that.

Top 5 Family Alternatives to Watching TV

May 10, 2013 - 5:30 am | Arts and crafts, Family Life, Top 5 Fridays

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Spring is most definitely here (even in New England), yet I am still stuck in my winter habit of after-dinner TV watching. Blame it on the current season of The Voice or our recent acquisition of HGTV. It all seemed harmless until, when asked for her opinion on how to organize our basement, my six-year-old daughter says, “Let’s ask designer Hillary.”

Hmmm… Might have to tear myself away from addictive design shows. Time to lead my daughter into alternative activities that don’t find us blob-like on the sofa every evening.

Under the Rhododendrons:
Sofie and Mike built a fairy house using ivy and fallen branches on a cracked flower pot.

Outdoor Games

As a kid, we played hide-n-seek, freeze tag and Kick the Can until it got dark and our parents hollered for us to come inside. While there are quite a few kids on our current block, the atmosphere just isn’t the same. When we take neighborhood walks, we often see closed doors and the blue flicker of the television through windows. (Is everybody watching HGTV?)

Fortunately, our house has ideal placement across from a cemetery. I say ‘ideal’ because it provides lovely green views and makes for a good game of graveyard hide-n-seek. Its paths are also a good place to teach Sofie to ride her bike without the training wheels. Perhaps if I leave some items outside (sidewalk chalk, bubbles, sports balls, gardening tools, etc.), we might be inspired to engage outdoors more frequently.
Art Projects

I used to cringe (and still do) at the amount of time it took to set up a space for painting or some other messy art activity. But art doesn’t have to be limited to paint. Lately, Sofie’s been interested in constructing from recycled items around the house: toilet paper tubes, fabric, pencils, straws, etc. She’s at the stage where she thinks Scotch tape can hold anything together.

This kind of art is a more portable and less messy activity. Often, it’s even eco-friendly (except for the Scotch tape, I suppose). We can combine this with #1 by making art outdoors like when Sofie and her dad built a fairy house last weekend (featured in the photo above), although my personal favorite is her three-dimensional eagle nest complete with dead fish.

Sofie’s paper eagles nest with mom, pop, babies and dead fish.
A Trip to the Library

When I suggest this to Sofie, I always get an excited response. I hope that doesn’t change. I’ve loved making trips to the library since I was a kid. It’s like shopping for free stuff. At our local library, I get a few books for myself, Sofie chooses some for her, then we meet up and read a few together. Sometimes we run into people we know, so it becomes a social outing. A library trip is also a nice, mellow pre-bedtime activity. You feel like you got out and did something, but it doesn’t get the kids all riled up.
Imaginary Play

This starts to fade as we get older, which is a shame because the imaginary world can be quite delicious. Sofie still loves to make up stories, poems, songs, dances, anything really. At age two, she made her orange slices talk. My husband continues a DeGuzman family tradition of making his hands become crawling, talking creatures called Vin-Vins (I don’t know why) that we all engage in.

After a day of creating professionally through writing and design, the prospect of being more creative sometimes seems exhausting to me. But this kind of imaginary play is much more organic than adults creating a finished product. All I really need to do is make a stuffed animal start talking to Sofie and she’s off and running with some storyline, and she loves, loves, LOVES it… whether we banter aimlessly or engage in a more structured storyline around playing school or doctor. It may seem silly on the outside, but imaginary play is linked to many benefits in child development.
Writing Letters

This may seem odd in the time of email, but it can be fun for kids ages 4-7 who are fascinated with letters and how they connect to make words. Sofie sees me sending emails to my friends, and has expressed a desire to connect with her friends outside of school. Remembering how I loved the idea of pen pals as a kid, I’m thinking she may enjoy writing letters and mailing them to her friends. Drawings, notes, tiny care packages of love. And when they write back, she gets the joy of receiving actual mail – something of an anomaly these days.

I also found this site for pen pals from around the world. Kids can take part electronically or via snail mail. I have to research it a bit more to check out its safety factor, but I know Sofie would be thrilled to exchange letters and stories with a little girl in Paris, France.

Here are some other ideas for family fun that don’t involve the TV:

Research and draw out your family tree. Go stargazing. Face paint each other. Do origami. Plant something. Cut paper dolls from magazines and catalogs. Have a treasure hunt. Camp in the backyard. Have a drum circle or family jam session. Do yoga together. Put on a play. Bake something.

May Day! Beltane! Get Outside and Celebrate Spring!

April 30, 2013 - 5:30 am | Family Life, Holidays, Nature

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Even though it’s officially been spring for over a month now, here in New England April still means jackets and heaters and (mostly) closed windows. But the month of May—with its blossoming of trees and flowers and its warm weather—is supremely spring. And it arrives on Beltane, known in the U.S. as May Day.

May Day has a long and varied history as a “working class holiday” that, depending on what country you’re in, might include costumed revelry, fertility dances or political protests. Beltane began as a Pagan celebration that welcomed the coming summer and celebrated fertility, both human and agricultural. Known as a fire festival to the ancient Celts, Beltane was typically marked by music, sword dancing, feasting, drinking and people leaping over huge bonfires for purposes of purification.

Prior to motherhood, I actually did celebrate Beltane with outdoor drum circles, scarf dancing and fire leaping, but when Sofie came along I decided it best to forego the fires in favor of the holiday’s more modern meaning: honoring the height of spring and the flowering of life.

When my daughter was 18 months old, this involved a sunset walk in a nearby park, blowing apart the seeds of a dandelion and drumming twigs against her stroller. Sofie hugged her first tree and laughed with delight as we frolicked across the grass, silk scarves streaming behind us. We watched the ducks enjoy a twilight swim before heading home to feast on strawberries, apples, raisins and cheddar goldfish.

Sofie celebrates May Day 2008.

In the following few years, our family participated in a local May Day celebration, complete with Maypole dancing! I had not known such a thing existed in Rhode Island. But in the drizzle, on a farm in Tiverton, we gathered with more than a hundred others among the chickens and peacocks and two baby goats born that morning.

Annual maypole dance in Tiverton, Rhode Island.

We clapped for the felling of the maypole tree, feasted with friends and watched grownups dressed as money-hungry rats perform a symbolic play in the barn. My favorite part was the the Maypole dance. Steeped in fertility symbolism, the dance was really just a fun, get-to-know-your-neighbor activity. And not a bad low-cardio workout either.

Sofie watches May Day festivities in the rain, 2009.

While Sofie clung to my leg at the start of the day, by the end she was chasing the chickens.

We don’t always celebrate May 1^st with big festivities, but we do at least make a point to get outside. Being in nature is an easy way to connect with our children, our earth and inner ourselves.

Here’s a few May Day crafts and activities for you and your child:

Step-by-Step tutorial on how to make a Maypole
May Day crafts from Kaboose
May Day crafts from DLTK
May Day activities for kids

Top 5 Pampering Ideas for Mom (That Don’t Involve a Lot of Stuff)

April 26, 2013 - 6:00 am | Family Life, Health and beauty, Top 5 Fridays

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With Mother’s Day just around the corner, you’ll likely be getting some appreciation and gifts from your loved ones. However, sometimes those flowers or jewelry aren’t what you really crave. Often the things moms need don’t even involve things. It’s time or space or pampering we yearn for.

Here’s five ideas on how to treat yourself or your mom like the amazing person she is.

Photo by dMap Travel Guide/Flickr

Quiet Time

Carve out a whole day where nothing is scheduled. Arrange ahead of time to have Dad, family, friends or a babysitter take the kids… for at least 6 hours —you deserve some serious alone time. Get out in nature: lie on the beach, stroll through the woods, go surfing.

At home, you might read a book, soak in the tub, or stay in bed all day. Just be sure household chores are done earlier in the week so that you aren’t tempted to “get a few things done” during your precious alone time. This is not the time for to-do lists or special projects, unless that special project is a favorite hobby that you’ve neglected for months or years due to lack of time. This is your time for doing things with joy, not obligation.
Queen for a Day

Obviously, you need buy-in from the kids and partner on this one. But wouldn’t it be great to have others serving you for a whole day? They pamper you with breakfast in bed and they clean up the kitchen afterwards. They drive you to go shopping, to a lunch date, to that guitar lesson you’ve always wanted to take. Make sure to fit an afternoon nap in between lunch and your favorite dinner—you provide the menu, they cook and clean and provide the after-dinner entertainment.
Reflexology

Everybody always includes massage into gift ideas for Mom. Don’t get me wrong, massages are great, and I’ll take one any day of the week. However, some women aren’t comfortable with full-body touch from strangers.

Last year I discovered the often overlooked joys and benefits of reflexology. It’s more than just a massage for your feet. It’s “body mapping” wherein pressure applied to specific parts of your feet affects connected body areas. Like acupuncture without the needles. Our feet are overworked and underappreciated; a little attention serves the whole body. When you find someone who does it well, reflexology is an hour of pure bliss.
Hired Help

Sort of the like the Queen for a Day, except you hire a professional service for a week. Pick your most contentious household chore. Do you hate nonstop meal preparation? Get yourself a cook. Wish someone would scrub the grout in the bathroom shower and get to the bottom of that smell in the garage? Hire a maid. Or how about a chauffeur to haul the kids around to their activities while you spend time on your own projects? Sounds enticing, doesn’t it? Luxurious, some might say. But who deserves such luxury more than a mom?
Girlfriend Getaway

Extended time with girlfriends is typical of single life. However, once you have kids, it diminishes greatly. Your girlfriends are often mothers themselves, and scheduling a simple lunch becomes more of a hassle than it’s worth. Don’t let those friendships falter though. Make time for a weekend or even a week-long retreat. Nothing but you and the gals doing whatever floats your boat. Here are a few things on my list: Swim with dolphins while doing yoga in the Bahamas. Tour California wine country. Ride horses and explore rainforests in Costa Rica. Dine al fresco in Italy.

Experiences—alone or with others—often rejuvenate more than things do. They also offer connection. And what could be better than relaxation, rejuvenation and connection?

Reading Fun on International Children’s Book Day

April 2, 2013 - 6:00 am | Family Life, Humor, Product Reviews

Ish by Peter H. Reynolds

We chose this sequel to “The Dot” for its intriguing title and found ourselves enchanted with a meaningful tale. In Ish, Ramon’s love for drawing is squashed by a careless, critical comment until, eventually, he learns that nothing is ever quite “right.” And that’s ok. This was such a great message for my perfectionist daughter (where does she get that from??), that I’ve added it to my list of books to buy.

The Last Wild Witch by Starhawk

We own this book and just reread it recently, possibly because being on the edge of spring sparks a little wildness in all of us. With beautiful, colorful illustrations, this cautionary nature tale reveals how the wisdom of children wins over a conservative town.

Stuck by Oliver Jeffers

This is just plain, silly fun about a boy who keeps throwing things into a tree (from a cat to a fireman to a house) to dislodge his stuck kite. We are fans of many of Jeffers’ stories as well as his hand-drawn style.

Paulie Pastrami Achieves World Peace by James Proimos

A funny and touching story about a seven-year-old’s quest to achieve world peace by bedtime. With cupcakes. The tongue-in-cheek story shows how one person can have a big impact.

Cowboy and Octopus by Jon Scieszka

We do love the silliest books. This set of mini stories weaves the tale of an unlikely friendship between a rough-around-the-edges cowboy and an eight-legged marine creature. Their knock-knock joke had Sofie rolling on the floor (or maybe it was my cowboy accent).

Whatever children’s books you enjoy reading, be sure to cozy up with your kids and read them today.

Monthly Photo Board

February 28, 2013 - 7:00 am | Family Life

WORD BLOOPERS: The Funny, Misspoken Things Kids Say

February 5, 2013 - 7:00 am | Family Life, Graphics, Humor

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I have a confession: My six-year-old daughter continues to say “callapitter” instead of “caterpillar,” and I do not correct her. It sounds so adorable… I don’t want it to stop!

There have been quite a few such misspoken words in her history, and they tug at my heart. Why? Most likely, it’s because they’re spoken in such earnest innocence. An innocence that will slip away all too soon. I know she’ll eventually come to the proper pronunciation of caterpillar, but I want to hold onto “callapitter” just a little bit longer.

Below are some images I created from this and other such “word bloopers” that have come out of Sofie’s mouth. Comment below with some of your child’s misspoken words, and I’ll add them to my graphic series.