Do you ever have days where you just can’t wait until bedtime?
I had a week like that recently. As soon as daylight pierced my eyelids it was all I could do not to dive back under the duvet. I was tired, overwhelmed by a few things and a bit stressed. My 3 year old was having tantrums and, well, it was just one of those weeks.
On the Sunday evening I sighed a sigh of resignation as I mentally prepared for the week ahead, expecting more tantrums and exhaustion. Rather than start the week with a feeling of doom, I decided to write a list. I’m good at lists. They help me order my brain and have a calming effect.
For this list I used felt tips and little pictures. It was titled: THINGS WE WILL DO THIS WEEK.
When Frog woke up the following morning we trundled downstairs (after the usual squeaks of “I don’t want to go to pre-school, I going to watch CBeebies all day!”) and found the list, stuck to the living room door. I told Frog that it had details of things we would do that week. CBeebies was not on the list.
For Thursday, I had ambitiously planned a trip to the park AND a nature trail. My advice to you if you do your own list, by the way, is to aim small. When Thursday rolled around we ditched the park and headed straight home after pre-school. Once there, we collected a bucket and only paused to put on our wellies. We set off in the opposite direction and, what do you know, we found open countryside at the end of the road.
We’ve never had cause to venture to the end of this road before, as town is in the opposite direction. As we walked down the lane and found an old stile leading onto a public footpath I couldn’t help but smile.
This place had been waiting for us all along.
We found a stream and jumped in it. We collected different shaped leaves, acorns and the odd twig, squirrelling it all away in the bucket. We squelched in mud and ran and… there were no tantrums. Not one.
At bedtime that night, Frog turned to me and said, “Can we go back to the big field soon Mummy?”
We’re going back this week.
Love this post ladies. X
No matter who we are or how old(!) we all have BIG FIELDS! It’s all about having spirit and eagerness to explore – with SUPPORT from those we love. Ask me about my BIG FIELDs I could write a book!
X
Couldn’t agree more! xx
I love it! My favourite thing when I have the kids on my own at the weekend is to get on our waterproofs and wellies and go for an explore. We rarely get more than 100m from the house but the street we’re on is basically the countryside and full of trees, leaves, sticks, bushes, mounds to conquer.
Just perfect and amazing what fresh air can do for you.
You’re so right – a bit of fresh air goes far!
I just got goose pimples!
My boy goes a bit stir crazy indoors and we find getting outside does the world of good too. I love your list idea 🙂 #CountryKids
It works for me – if I have time to do it!
I LOVE this post, it is like you just found out what I keep banging on about with time outdoors. Physical exertion really does have a calming effect and that is true for you and Frog! All that at the end of the road without even having to take the car out? A perfect playground. You go and enjoy and make sure it stays on your list.
We’re going back today. It’s definitely going to be a regular thing.
Awesome! I am honestly going to try a list for next week I think. We have been having amazing tantrums and to say that things in this household are a little bit stressed is an understatement! I will remember to aim small though 🙂 Irony in the fact that getting out, even just a walk down the road, is small but it’s effect are huge!
Tantrums can be SO stressful – especially if they’re incessant, which ours often are! Getting outside is a great way to relieve the stress (apart from when the tantrum continues down the street, which is no fun at all).
Lists are great, I love them! I’m glad you managed to get out and about, it looks like you had a fab time.