Blog

Our North York Moors National Park ambassadors @tessflorenceowen have been adjusting to a new routine since starting school in September. Tess has shared with us how she made  time  to have fun outdoors with her little one now she has less time. 

The past couple of months has been quite an adjustment to our weekly routine, now we have embarked on the first year of primary school. The key challenges being the after-school madness, the repetitiveness of the week, feeling lazy at the weekends but trying to get out and enjoy nature as we did before school.

We thought carefully when choosing schools, with the choice in our local area. We chose a school that prioritises outside time in a wonderful rural location. Still though, P came home from school just yesterday and said, ‘we didn’t play outside today, it rained all day, I really needed some fresh air’. This comment for a moment made me feel sad, but then on the other hand happy that my child knows the benefit of spending time outdoors!

Here’s what we have noticed and what has helped us rebalance and prioritise:

• Remembering ‘comparison is the thief of joy’ - Just trying to do ‘us’ and if WE are happy that’s what counts. Maybe we’re not hiking coast to coast, but we’re making the most of our time together.

• Quality over quantity - For the last few years we have tracked hours for the #1000hoursoutside challenge, this served us well and engrained our habits of prioritising time outside. It is certainly more challenging when you are in a school week routine. It is OK to let go of some things.

• You can only control what you can control – as in the above example about staying indoors all day at school, this all comes down to perspective. I know that this is not usually the case and they do spend plenty of time outside most days at school. I would advocate that if like us you are not able to homeschool, you focus on bringing the value of spending time outdoors into your home life, let school do school. There are plenty of opportunities also to share your child's passion for outdoor play through homework sharing activities (this might give teachers some food for thought!).

• Difficult behaviour isn't always related to tiredness - I was fooled expecting P to be worn out after school… how wrong I was! We often go to the park after school. We have found for us there is a need to expend some energy straight after school and then all is peaceful when we return home. If the weather is lousy, a walk in the woods with a bit of shelter from the rain and some puddle jumping is our go to!

• Go with the flow of the seasons – you will feel a shift in autumn and winter, to retreat, rest and recuperate. This is a completely natural process, just as some creatures hibernate. It is OK if your priorities shift throughout the year and your time outdoors looks different. Though I will say I still stand by the saying ‘there is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothes!’ If you’re trying to get out but limit yourself to only dry sunny days around a school routine, it may be a challenge... Get your best rain gear and wellies on when you can (Spotty Otter must be the cosiest and driest!). Invest in some decent outdoor clothes for yourself. Oh, and a torch for autumn / winter night walks before bed (a bit of moon and stargazing!)

Shop Spotty Otter Forest Ranger and Leader kit here, you wont regret it. Your little ones will always be warm and dry and they are so handy to throw on for all afterschool and weekend  adventures!

www.spottyotter.co.uk/collections/forest/

• Prioritising you as a parent – we experience another identity shift when your children start school. You may increase your working hours or find yourself with more time on your hands. Like me, you might miss getting out into nature so often with your littles. This time is a great opportunity for you to continue to be a positive role model and embrace the opportunity to build a new routine for yourself, prioritising nature for your own wellbeing. You can take a peaceful walk, at a fast pace, without lugging a 50L rucksack full of snacks!

So, there you have it... some reflections from a mum going through one of the many seasons of parenting. Hopefully this post has resonated with a few parents who are navigating some of the same challenges and offered some reassurance and food for thought.