Yearning for a more earthy/natural life

Weezie123 · Apr 10th, 2012, 04:57 AM

Since having my baby I have been seeking he right way to bring him up. I'm now desperately trying to figure out a way to bring him up more in touch with nature and creative, basic living. That is knowing more about how to build things from natural materials and how to eat from good wholesome home grown food and veg. The problem is no one taught me, I live a very modern life so I don't know where to start! Does anyone know of wilderness courses that are suited to the whole family? Do these even exisist in the uk or Europe? I'm on the continuum concept lost and I've seen yearlong ones in the USA. X

We moved to Hampshire on the coast near the New Forest from London to have a baby as something drew us away from the city for our child to grow up wih the sea and the forest so that's a start but we're still not very rural as we live in a small town.

Rachel_C · Apr 10th, 2012, 05:08 AM

I've never heard of courses like that but I bet something exists somewhere. How about looking into gardening stuff for a start? I know near us there are allotments and the local community has a shared garden/farm you can go and help out with. They run courses for adults and children starting with basics like how to plant things and how to make compost. They also do bug hunts for kids I think. You could look at any nature reserves or National Trust type places. Where we used to live there was an old mill and they often had hands on courses about oldy worldy things as well as gardening etc.

Weezie123 · Apr 10th, 2012, 10:47 AM

Thanks Rachel those are some good ideas I have found this in Scotland that sounds good http://www.wayofthevillage.co.uk/ but it's doesn't seem like the whole family can be involved it's more like teaching the adults and it's just short courses. This is the thing in the USA it looks amazzzzzing! http://www.teachingdrum.org/

sun · Apr 10th, 2012, 12:48 PM

Just some ideas: You could also start with things you can incorporate into everyday life now. Growing your own veg is a great way to start and a great way to show LO about how plants grow - plus when they grow their own stuff they are more likely to eat it! Things like making your own household products and cleaners is also great for finding out where stuff comes from and teaching about sustainability. Your LO is a little young, but outdoors crafts out of recycled stuff is great. We made a bird feeder yesterday out of a cardboard container, hung it and watched the birds. It was a great time to talk about birds and what they do/eat/etc. We also go on walks every day in the woods and look at stuff. The great thing about toddlers is their desire to learn and understand - we looked at the bark on a tree for 20min and I talked about how it protects the tre, etc etc. All these little things are what fuels an appreciation for the natural world, a good level of comfort with the outdoors, and more importantly the desire to protect it! xx

Weezie123 · Apr 10th, 2012, 14:37 PM

Thanks Sun some brilliant ideas. We have a little veg patch. I've noticed my baby loved looking at nature and being outside since birth! It made me stop and look at leaves on trees and berries to show him! But it also made me ashamed I didn't know their names!

SerenityNow · Apr 10th, 2012, 15:46 PM

There are some really sweet Waldorf parenting/homeschooling books and websites that have great ideas for raising kids to be connected to the earth and the seasons.

sun · Apr 10th, 2012, 15:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Weezie123

Thanks Sun some brilliant ideas. We have a little veg patch. I've noticed my baby loved looking at nature and being outside since birth! It made me stop and look at leaves on trees and berries to show him! But it also made me ashamed I didn't know their names!

But that's what's so amazing about having kids! Their enthusiasm inspires us to keep learning all the time. I love love discovering new things with my LO - I learn something new every day!

Weezie123 · Apr 10th, 2012, 16:02 PM

Serenity now that sounds great I'll look that up. I know what you mean Sun, I wrote his for my baby's naming ceremony and it kind of tries to incorporate exactly what you describe. X it's like being born again. I've never written a poem before either, it's amazing what they inspire!

You came into the world so gently.
We coaxed you out with the promise of love.
Your father anxious for your safe arrival,
Your mother calm, with the help of her mother,
Steadfast in her faith in nature

We loved you before we knew you,
We felt you before we touched you,
We saw you before you could see us.
You are our gift.
We cherish every moment spent in your company.

Now we know you we love you more each day
We feel your strength
We feel your joy
Your curiosity fills us with wonder
Our hearts are opened and our eyes see clearly

Every time we lift you up,
And look into your eyes,
The world makes sense,
We love you,
Thank you for loving us.

deafgal · Apr 10th, 2012, 20:30 PM

there are plenty of craft books that will give you ideas. Hiking is a great start and you can use your imagination.

you can read fiction books such as : "my side of the mountains" http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/My_Side_of_the_Mountain

Weezie123 · Apr 11th, 2012, 03:03 AM

Thanks deafgal x

Apr 10th, 2012, 04:57 AM	#1
Weezie123 Mum (Mom) Chat Happy BnB Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Hampshire Posts: 1,090	Yearning for a more earthy/natural life Since having my baby I have been seeking he right way to bring him up. I'm now desperately trying to figure out a way to bring him up more in touch with nature and creative, basic living. That is knowing more about how to build things from natural materials and how to eat from good wholesome home grown food and veg. The problem is no one taught me, I live a very modern life so I don't know where to start! Does anyone know of wilderness courses that are suited to the whole family? Do these even exisist in the uk or Europe? I'm on the continuum concept lost and I've seen yearlong ones in the USA. X We moved to Hampshire on the coast near the New Forest from London to have a baby as something drew us away from the city for our child to grow up wih the sea and the forest so that's a start but we're still not very rural as we live in a small town.

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Apr 10th, 2012, 05:08 AM	#2
Rachel_C Mum (Mom) BnB Elite Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 11,678	I've never heard of courses like that but I bet something exists somewhere. How about looking into gardening stuff for a start? I know near us there are allotments and the local community has a shared garden/farm you can go and help out with. They run courses for adults and children starting with basics like how to plant things and how to make compost. They also do bug hunts for kids I think. You could look at any nature reserves or National Trust type places. Where we used to live there was an old mill and they often had hands on courses about oldy worldy things as well as gardening etc.

Status: Offline

Apr 10th, 2012, 10:47 AM	#3
Weezie123 Mum (Mom) Chat Happy BnB Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Hampshire Posts: 1,090	Thanks Rachel those are some good ideas I have found this in Scotland that sounds good http://www.wayofthevillage.co.uk/ but it's doesn't seem like the whole family can be involved it's more like teaching the adults and it's just short courses. This is the thing in the USA it looks amazzzzzing! http://www.teachingdrum.org/

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Apr 10th, 2012, 12:48 PM	#4
sun Mum (Mom) BnB Elite Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Canada Posts: 11,760	Just some ideas: You could also start with things you can incorporate into everyday life now. Growing your own veg is a great way to start and a great way to show LO about how plants grow - plus when they grow their own stuff they are more likely to eat it! Things like making your own household products and cleaners is also great for finding out where stuff comes from and teaching about sustainability. Your LO is a little young, but outdoors crafts out of recycled stuff is great. We made a bird feeder yesterday out of a cardboard container, hung it and watched the birds. It was a great time to talk about birds and what they do/eat/etc. We also go on walks every day in the woods and look at stuff. The great thing about toddlers is their desire to learn and understand - we looked at the bark on a tree for 20min and I talked about how it protects the tre, etc etc. All these little things are what fuels an appreciation for the natural world, a good level of comfort with the outdoors, and more importantly the desire to protect it! xx

Status: Offline

Apr 10th, 2012, 14:37 PM	#5
Weezie123 Mum (Mom) Chat Happy BnB Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Hampshire Posts: 1,090	Thanks Sun some brilliant ideas. We have a little veg patch. I've noticed my baby loved looking at nature and being outside since birth! It made me stop and look at leaves on trees and berries to show him! But it also made me ashamed I didn't know their names!

Status: Offline

Apr 10th, 2012, 15:46 PM	#6
SerenityNow Mum (Mom) Active BnB Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 454	There are some really sweet Waldorf parenting/homeschooling books and websites that have great ideas for raising kids to be connected to the earth and the seasons.

Status: Offline

Apr 10th, 2012, 16:02 PM	#8
Weezie123 Mum (Mom) Chat Happy BnB Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Hampshire Posts: 1,090	Serenity now that sounds great I'll look that up. I know what you mean Sun, I wrote his for my baby's naming ceremony and it kind of tries to incorporate exactly what you describe. X it's like being born again. I've never written a poem before either, it's amazing what they inspire! You came into the world so gently. We coaxed you out with the promise of love. Your father anxious for your safe arrival, Your mother calm, with the help of her mother, Steadfast in her faith in nature We loved you before we knew you, We felt you before we touched you, We saw you before you could see us. You are our gift. We cherish every moment spent in your company. Now we know you we love you more each day We feel your strength We feel your joy Your curiosity fills us with wonder Our hearts are opened and our eyes see clearly Every time we lift you up, And look into your eyes, The world makes sense, We love you, Thank you for loving us.

Status: Offline

Apr 10th, 2012, 20:30 PM	#9
deafgal Mum (Mom) Chat Happy BnB Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: U.S. Posts: 1,984	there are plenty of craft books that will give you ideas. Hiking is a great start and you can use your imagination. you can read fiction books such as : "my side of the mountains" http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/My_Side_of_the_Mountain

Status: Offline

Apr 11th, 2012, 03:03 AM	#10
Weezie123 Mum (Mom) Chat Happy BnB Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Hampshire Posts: 1,090	Thanks deafgal x

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