Hello, everyone!
#FamiliesOutside is not just for traveling families but also for those who (almost) always make sure that they include the outdoors in their daily activities.
Today we’re having May from Outdoors Mom (formerly Mommy Loves Trees), a lover of trees, nature and the outdoors. I have been following her blog for some time now and I always envy her bringing her kids outside. How I wish I had more time to be at home with my family. Anyway, I’m so happy that she was game for the interview – I have slightly altered the questions so it fits outdoor families, too.
1. Give us a short background of your family.
My husband and I have been married for seven years. We have a son, 5, and daughter, 3. I am from Florida and my husband is from California. Now we live half way in between in Oklahoma.
2. When did you start adding outdoor activities and why?
The outdoors has always been a part of my life. A majority of my childhood memories involve the outdoors. I loved it so much I studied forest management and environmental education/communication in college. It is only natural I share my love of the outdoors to me kids.
3. How often are you out with your kids?
We are outdoors everyday, in some form or fashion. Sometimes the activities are very simple, a trip to the park or drawing with sidewalk chalk in the front yard, but I always feel like we are happier when we spend some time outdoors.
4. How do you plan out your trips? Do you particularly choose those “family-friendly” or “kid-friendly” destinations or are you flexible and just simply adapt to the place?
In general we just adapt to the place. There may be activities we pass on at a destination or the visit may be short but we love seeing what we can. Museums are generally a lot of work by my husband and I trade off entertaining the kids and we just don’t stay as long.
5. What is that one item you can never go out without when you are with kids?
Snacks. I am constantly amazed at how much my kids can eat and I never know when they are going to want more. Plus, snacks are a great way to keep the kids happy in the car. They don’t have to be unhealthy but I have found they are most effective when they are out of the ordinary.
6. There are varied opinions when it comes to learning while traveling VS. formal schooling. What is your stand on this? Does traveling (or even simply going outside) really give an advantage to your kid’s education, based on experience?
My son attends public school but I believe time spent outdoors and traveling is just as important as sitting in a classroom. It is so important to me for my son to have time outdoors that I have our schedule worked out so we can walk halfway to school in the morning. There are many studies that show when kids spend time outdoors they do better in school. This is a great one from the The Atlantic. I love the idea of travel-schooling. In fact, I am hoping we can travel and homeschool during at least one of my son’s middle school years.
7. What advice would you give to families who want to add exploring the outdoors into their daily activities?
Just do it. There are always going to be excuses. It is too hot or too cold. We don’t have to right equipment. There are tons of ways to enjoy the outdoors that are free or very inexpensive and that don’t require any extra equipment. In the summer we get outdoors in the morning, the coolest part of the day. In the winter we head outdoors in the afternoon, the warmest part of the day. If you don’t have winter gear, layer up and only go outdoors in short periods of time or buys used gear.
8. Where else can we guys read about your family adventures?
I blog over at Outdoors Mom and freelance write.
Catch May and her family outdoor adventures at:
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest | Google+
Happy Outdoors!
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#FamiliesOutside is an interview series to help encourage families to go out and explore places, near or far. Bi-monthly, we feature families who love travelling – full-time or part-time – or who simply love including the outdoors in their daily activities.
