I can say with great certainty, some of the best times I've had with my children have been child led. I learned early on that the vision, the plan that I may have, may need to be scrapped and scrapped quickly. Their plans are valid and sometimes so much more fun than what I had.
When we let the children lead, they take us on glorious adventures. We see that weekly with our Explorer Group. The biggest plan I have is which location we're going to, and how much food I've packed (which may be either my exit strategy or our opportunity to really enjoy the day). I'd swear to you, even though we don't give them a theme or a plan, each week is different. Depending on what changes the forest took over the week, who came to play and what mood everyone comes in.
Case in point, camping this weekend. My husband brings us up to the campground he went as a child. The first time we went, we had a gentle conversation about how our family's plan would be different from when he would go as a child. Particularly when it came to hiking. We would not be rigorous, to the trail, hikers, set on one destination. We would be wanderers. If we made it to the "top", great! But it was really more about the journey than the destination. Assuming the trail allowed it, we might veer off to check out a mossy rock, climb a fallen log or take a break and snack. Lots of breaks to snack.
This weekend was no different. My husband felt fed by being in the same surroundings as a kid, hearing the ghosts of a childhood past. We made new memories and allowed our children the chance to explore the woods on their terms. At this point, with an eight and six-year-old, we more likely than not make it to the "destination" because frequently the view is a grand reward. But if we don't, if we find the exploration is more in our hearts, we still find it successful.
Most of all, as we collapse in our chairs by the campfire, with smiles on our faces and in our hearts, we know it was never about the destination. It was always about the connection.
Did you have a chance to join in the May Outdoor Family Adventure Challenge? Tell us about it by commenting or tagging us on Facebook.
Do you get the newsletter with details for each month's Outdoor Family Adventure Challenge? If not, sign up here. We'd love to hear about your family's adventures getting outdoors.
