Getting out there

I remember watching my homeschool girlfriend with her sons in a pond up to her thighs in muck picking out bugs and plants.  This was when my kids were babies, I thought she was crazy.  I was fine with nature, as long as it didn’t touch me.  I still hate being wet and ponds and lakes still gross me out if I can’t see my feet.  I remember thinking I can’t be a homeschool mom b/c I will never jump in the pond with my kids!  While I still would hesitate to jump in a pond, things have changed for me quite a bit.  The primary reason is that my girls (8 and 5) LOVE nature.  They are curious, they like to touch stuff, ask questions, compare things, and get dirty.  Their desire has encouraged me so much.  Then I started to give myself little pep talks in my head, “salamanders don’t bite”, “don’t kill the giant spider in the basement, show the girls how to value it’s life, what it eats, how it helps”, “the bumble bee isn’t going to kill me”.  And one day, things started to be cool to me on their own.  I got really into the bumble bees this summer, I video taped them and took pictures.  It has really helped with our science this winter to see the close up action on our own flowers.  We put up a winter bird feeder.  We got a hamster.  I feel like I have grown up a bit here!  Now, it is easier with siblings and friends for more outdoor time.  I also feel pulled to the house to do dishes or laundry and I also don’t care for hot or cold temps.  But this summer I toughed it out.  Sometimes I did my Bible study, sometimes I read, sometimes I planned for this years school.  I don’t always have a field book in my lap.  I just want to be with my kids and they want to be outside even if I prefer the air conditioning.  So from one who used to not look forward to “hours outdoors” and now wishes we were not snowed in for the next few months, I understand your feelings.  I do think it is possible to learn to enjoy things we didn’t used to, and that is one reason God gave us nature, for our enjoyment.  Try to catch the excitement in your son, take toys and books out, clip your coupons, take deep breaths.  Give yourself pep talks, dirt doesn’t hurt!  And one day you may find yourself saving the spiders from a husband who isn’t as interested in an impromtu science lesson as he is in getting it out of his basement!  Finally, your son is very young.  He will not need you outside with him the entire time when he is a little older.  The day will come when you can come in and start dinner or change a load of laundry or make the beds.  You don’t have to like every minute of your time outside but if you start by “sucking it up” and going out anyway and working really hard to have a positive attitude and find ways to enjoy yourself you will probably be suprised how nice all that fresh air is for your son and for you!  You can do it!