Read on if you have a Harry Potter-mad tween or teen because a funky (and stylish) Potter-themed clothing range has just been released and I have two full sets to give away.

Way back in 1997 (in my early 30s and pre-children) I randomly picked up a copy of JK Rowling’s first book, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. From that moment I was totally hooked on Harry Potter and remain so. I struggle to think of a more gifted writer of children’s books of this century. I went on to devour each of the books as they were released and as my children were born, did everything I could to inculcate them with all things Potter. It worked with one, not so much the other. My daughter, now 14 has read each of the books at least four times and I’ve lost count of how many times we’ve watched the movies together.

One happy witch!

Such was my fan girl crush on JK Rowling, I remember dressing my kids as a witch and wizard (what else?) and dragging them in 2005, way too early in the morning, to a bookstore in anticipation of the release of Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince. Grace, despite a cranky face at being woken so early went on to win the title of The Best Witch of Beecroft. It was a proud mama moment.

A Gryffindor through and through

So I was thrilled when Warner Bros. Consumer Products asked me if they could send me the exclusive Harry Potter apparel range to review. Grace happily played model. What I like about the range is that it is funky without being too commercial looking. Additionally, even if your child isn’t a Harry Potter fan, the clothes can easily be incorporated into their street or sports clothing.

The hoodie was a big hit

My only personal negative is that I wish Rowling hadn’t chosen maroon and yellow for Gryffindor (blurgh) but as a friend said she was probably remembering her own school uniform when the colours were chosen as most school uniforms leave much to be desired, even it would appear, in the wizarding world. I might add my daughter loves the maroon hoodie ~ go figure.

Potter street wear!

The Harry Potter Tween’s apparel range is available exclusively from Big W stores across Australia. They are incredibly reasonably priced. The Harry Potter track pants are $19, the two tees just $15 each and the hoodie only $25.

So, if you have a Potter-mad tween or teen and want the chance to win a full set of this clothing range, simply leave a comment here on my blog telling me which Potter character your kid loves most and why.

Oh and one other thing, the sizing appears small to me. Grace is normally a size 10-12 and the 14 was snug, so head up a couple of sizes when selecting.

Until next time my wizarding friends…

This post is brought to you in partnership with Caro & Co and Warner Bros. Consumer Products.

Terms and Conditions:

Please indicate your preferred size and Warner Bros. Consumer Products will do their best to meet your request.

The competition closes on Friday 17 February, 2017. Comments submitted after this time will not be considered for the giveaway.

This is a game of skill and creativity. Each valid entry will be judged on creativity and originality, not by chance.

The prize will be posted to the winner by Porter Novelli after they have been notified of the address, preferably by email.

The Harry Potter Tween apparel set from Big W has an RRP of $74; prizes are not redeemable for cash and are non-transferable.

Competition is open to Australian residents only. Sorry to my international buddies…

Learning to unplug

Last week I wrote a list of suggested activities you could introduce into your son’s life that might encourage him to more readily unplug. Today I thought I’d do a list for the girls. Only the merest hint of pink I promise.  Many on this list will also be of interest to boys but I know some will more readily resonate with your girls.

It can be almost impossible to tear a teen girl away from her mobile device and social media clan.  Used as the digital form of the local milk bar, shopping centre or school playground, it is now where they choose to define themselves; both emotionally, physically and sometimes spiritually. I encourage you to take some time to read the article by Ethan Rosenberg (a teen himself when written) in Forbes magazine on why kids feel an overwhelming, sometimes compulsive need to stay connected and how he kicked the habit.  A link to the article is below.

Meantime, here are some ideas:

1. Suggest she think of her favourite fragrance and then have a go at making some soy candles using that scent. It’s easier and cheaper than you think. There are some great instructional videos on the Internet like this one.  The video is a bit of a waffle for the first minute but then they get stuck into it.
2. Invest in a basic science kit and let her at it.  Starter kits will cost you around the $40 mark.
3. Suggest she pull something apart and put it back together again. At my daughter’s school, in Year 11, they pull a car apart and put it back together again.  All the girls LOVE this form of learning.  Obviously it doesn’t need to be on such a grand scale in your own home.  Old toasters, cameras or radios will do and are generally easy to find at garage sales or kerbside during council clean ups.
   

   Happy after a walk

4. At least 3-4 times a week, have your daughter take the dog for a walk. Not just around the block. Instead, give her a few poop bags and tell her you don’t want to see her for at least 40 minutes. If you don’t have a dog, have one of her mates come over and together they can head out.  Sadly, I still have to subscribe to the view that it’s safer if girls travel in packs. Hopefully that will change one day.
   

   Time to produce a masterpiece

5. Suggest that she write a book or short story.  If she enjoys drawing, she could also illustrate it.
6. Encourage her to join the local touch footy team.  Not only is it great exercise, she’ll get to meet new people outside her normal social circle or cohort which can be a positive thing.  And if she joins a mixed team, it’s a nice way to meet some boys
7. If she is starting to get into makeup she could have a go at making her own.  Doing so is like a mini lesson in chemistry.  She’ll also learn about some of the nasties that go into most commercial makeups and how to avoid them.  Again, there are many simple instructional videos available on the internet.
8. Invite a friend over, build a fort in the back garden or up small tree.  Then together they could make a pizza and eat it out in the fort which they could also sleep in overnight.
9. Together, set a reading challenge for her that is achievable. It might be one book a week, or a month, or every few days if your daughter is a bookworm. If not, a reward chart might be handy here.  Slowly, slowly will win this race if she’s not a natural reader.
   

   Plating up

10. Encourage her to invite five friends to dinner. She could send out formal invites including a dress code, devise a menu and then cook the meal herself or with her friends, which can be great fun. Suggest that she pay you or your partner to be waiter for the night for the full effect.
11. Pick a craft and master it. I hear knitting is all the rage. Or you could suggest she has a go at something old-fashioned like making an upside down doll. Again, there are instructions on the Internet and also kits you can buy rather than sourcing the individual components of the doll.
    

    So cute!

12. If they have access to a body of water encourage them to spend an afternoon fishing or kayaking.
13. She could start a business venture. Babysitting, a regular lemonade stand, car-washing, dog walking, watering the garden of a neighbour when they go on holidays, selling their soy candles (see No. 1) at a garage sale or flea market are all good options.
    

    Potting up

14. Start a veggie patch.  Research and then design the patch (which doesn’t have to be on a grand scale), choose the seeds or seedlings, plant and tend them and then make something for dinner from the first bounty.
15. Insist that once a month she cleans her room from top to toe.  This includes going through her school bag and her wardrobe.  Have her bag any clothes or shoes that no longer fit and take them to your local charity bin.
    

    An early artwork

16. Start a found collection from nature or simply spend an afternoon indulging in some nature art.

Here’s the Forbes article mentioned above.

What’s your go-to activity to get girls to unplug?

Until next time…

Caro and Co

For more ideas and tips on finding wonder in the everyday and getting your kids to unplug, consider buying my new book. You can purchase it via the link in my sidebar above, or at all good bookstores and online and as an e-book. For interview opportunities please contact Jackie Evans on 0407 776 222 or jep.pub@bigpond.net.au

1. Insisting that my children are my “friends” on social media. I have had to solemnly swear that I will never tag or share anything with them but I figure because their weapons of choice are Snapchat or Instagram, they’ll let the occasional “proud Mama moment” go through to the keeper on Facebook.
   

   Such deliciousness

2. My abiding love of Freckles. Generally made with low quality chocolate and covered in sprinkles, they are the thinking woman’s after dinner treat. Seriously.
3. Relishing difference of opinion.  It’s what keeps us vibrant, engaged and forces us to reflect on the diversity of the world around us.  It matures our brains.  It embeds love deeply into our hearts.  I will continue to refuse to just seek out comfortable, same-same opinion.
4. Licking the dinner plate with my fingers. The art lies in one’s ability to keep the doing of it a secret from others; a skill I’m proud to report that I’ve passed to my daughter. My grandmother is currently turning in her grave.
   

   Such a wicked man…

5. My abhorrence of Donald Trump. I will not sit quietly and contribute to the collective forgetting of the man that he really is.
6. My love of MKR. A heavily scripted and prescriptive reality programme yet I c.a.n.n.o.t stop watching…
   

   Use with caution…

7. My love of the magic to be found in the world. My mother and a sister always accuse me of being too full of imagination; chasing fairies, writing endlessly about dragons and trolls and not concentrating on the real world. Bite me.
8. Insisting that my family sit down each night to share our evening meal. No technology, no TV babbling in the background ~ just discussion. It’s a time I treasure and I will continue to insist upon it.
9. Avoiding bras, shoes and make up at all costs. My friends call me the Mosman Hippy but I’m happy, even if my breasts do sit somewhere down near my belly button.
10. Collecting representations of owls.  Yes, I’m one of ‘those’ collectors. At last count I had about 50. Such beautiful creatures.
    

    I want…

11. Embarrassing my children by stopping and patting every dog and cooing over every baby I come across on the streets of Sydney.
12. My love of Eurovision knows no bounds and it is my mission to convert as many people as I can to this quirky European festival of trashy pop.

What do you refuse to apologise for and why?

Until next time…

Caro and Co

For more ideas and tips on finding wonder in the everyday and getting your kids to unplug, consider buying my new book. You can purchase it via the link in my sidebar above, or at all good bookstores or online and as an e-book. For interview opportunities please contact Jackie Evans on 0407 776 222 or jep.pub@bigpond.net.au

Image found at scarymommy.com

Teenage boys can turn into slugs over the holidays. And I get that. They are exhausted after the end of a long year at school and, thanks to puberty, many are swarming with hormones which means most of the time they just want to chill out and sleep for inordinate periods of time. They are generally also happy eating nothing other than cheese toasties, pizza and Nutrigrain for eight weeks straight. However, the holidays also means that many will spend way too much time on their devices, playing computer games either solo or tapped into a group session. Of course teen girls can be exactly the same, but in my experience it seems to be more prevalent with boys.  I’m not suggesting technology be ditched completely, but many child development experts now agree that for optimal health ~ both physical, emotional and spiritual, teenagers should have no more than one hour of screen time (outside of formal learning) per day.

So, if you want to get your son off the couch and engaged with some unplugged activities, here are some ideas that might help. Your teen girls are just as likely to enjoy most of these as well.

Playing ball games in the back garden…

1. At least three times a week send him out to walk the dog. Not just around the block. Do not take no for an answer, instead arm him with several poop bags and tell him you don’t want to see him for at least an hour. If you don’t have a dog, a long walk to a park to kick a footy with a friend will do.
2. Remember Meccano? Far more sophisticated and mentally challenging than Lego, it can perplex and delight in equal measure. Consider buying your boy a starter’s kit and let them at it. A basic kit will set you back around $30-40. I was quite addicted to this as a young teenager.
   

   Vintage Meccano

3. Build a board game from scratch. All he’ll need is a large square piece of cardboard, some colouring in pens/pencils, a ruler, a die and something to use as counters. The board game might be inspired by Snakes and Ladders or a treasure hunt, or a simple numbered board game. Themes could include reaching the end of a rainbow, their favourite adventure movie, following a trail to find treasure, a bushland adventure (over mountains, through rivers, avoiding snakes, etc.). The scope of the game is limited only by your child’s imagination.
   

   Holiday board games

4. Encourage your son to have a mate over for the afternoon, build a makeshift tent, cook a pizza from scratch and sleep out overnight in the garden.
   

   Homemade pizza tart…

5. Have him pull something apart and put it back together again. It could be an old radio, a toaster or an old computer. Watch out for kerbside clean ups as all sorts of gadgets are likely to be on offer.
   

   Kerbside treasure

6. Give (or let him choose) a regular task and have him stick to it. Mowing the lawn, watering the garden or washing the car are all good options.  Use a reward chart if necessary.
7. Read a book for half an hour each day.  This is an easy one if your son is a natural reader.  If not, try and make the time to sit with him and read a book yourself.  Slowly, slowly will win this race.
8. After Christmas, suggest he make something out of the wood of the Christmas tree (if you have a real one).  Rather than tossing it onto the nature strip awaiting council collection, your son could strip the leaves from the branches and set up a wood-working area in the back garden.  Needing nothing other than sturdy gloves, secateurs, a saw, a hammer, some nails and a dose of common sense, he is likely to create the most unique piece of craft from the wood.  Safety rules are required here. This doesn’t have to be restricted to a Christmas tree; any pieces of old wood can be used.
   

   Image found at popularmechanic.com

9. Together visit your local nursery and buy the ingredients needed to make a terrarium.  There are a myriad of instructions available on the internet.  They can be as simple or as complicated as your son desires and shouldn’t cost more than around $20 for the entire thing.  The upside is they are very easy to look after and should last for years.
10. Ask him to cook something from scratch. He could try making some bread, a simple chocolate cake or even a whole meal for the family.
11. Have him spend an afternoon cleaning his room from top to bottom, including his school bag and wardrobe. This will do him no harm and bring you great satisfaction as it means that you won’t have to put your hand into the bottom of his school bag ~ a truly frightening prospect.
12. Encourage him to start a photography project.  Suggest a different subject each day and then send him out to capture some funky images based on that topic.  Subjects could include; ‘something red’, ‘water’, ‘movement’, ‘summer’ etc.  He could print out the images and make a collage of those that he likes the best or start a perpetual journal and make this an ongoing project.
13. Suggest some craft using found objects.  It could be making beetles using gumnuts or shells, leaf printing or stencilling.  It doesn’t have to be overly complicated. The options are endless here.
    

    Beetle nuts…

14. Buy him a simple chemistry kit and let him at it.  Again, a basic set shouldn’t set you back much more than about $40, but if his interest is piqued he may never pick up an iPhone again.
15. Candle-making can be a great rainy day activity.  It is not at all difficult, the ingredients are relatively cheap and there are many, many tutorials available on the internet.

How do you get your kids off technology and do you think it’s important?

Until next time…

For more ideas and tips on finding wonder in the everyday and getting your kids to unplug, consider buying my new book. You can purchase it via the link in my sidebar above, or at all good bookstores and online and as an e-book. For interview opportunities please contact Jackie Evans on 0407 776 222 or jep.pub@bigpond.net.au

Caro and Co

Listening for the sounds of nature

Life can be rich without riches.  And it can be full without a cupboard overflowing with toys or a drawer stuffed with computer games.

In 2017, it will be 16 years since I became a mother.  Whilst I was overjoyed at having a healthy baby boy, followed closely by a beautiful little girl just 18 months later, I still recall feeling a crushing sense of responsibility and vulnerability during the early months of their lives.

In an instant my life had shifted from looking after just me, to being responsible for the physical, spiritual and emotional health of two young babies. The prospect of this seemed positively overwhelming.  How on earth could I guide them through the complexities of life? I then realized simplicity was key.  My childhood had been simple.  Why shouldn’t theirs?  As they grew and developed, I quickly learned that there was no need to provide them with every whiz-bang bit of technology or fill their days to bursting with structured play, formal learning or a plethora of toys & games.

Hunting for magical creatures amongst the daisies

Instead, I decided to steep their formative years in experiences that were simple but coated with a layer of fun and wonder.  Who better to help me with this than Mother Nature?  She’s a brilliant, patient teacher and children are such willing students.  She has an inexhaustible “props” box from which kids can draw to devise their own imaginative play.  And so I began regularly turfing my children outside to find their own fun, to learn at their own pace and they rewarded me by doing this in spades.

Importantly I also wanted them to discover the value of doing nothing; understanding that with that comes the ability to learn how to unplug and just be.  This, because it’s an instant antidote to stress and offers them the tools to manage anxiety when it (and it will) pops up unexpectedly.

If children have just one adult in their life who is willing to invest them with a sense of wonder whenever they step outside their front door, they will live an enriched life and enjoy a lifelong connection to nature.

Rough ‘n tumble in the back garden

With the rush and busyness of life, are we forgetting to teach our children how to do nothing and enjoy it?  Are we breeding (within them) an expectation that their lives have to be a series of WOW moments?  I tend to think so.

Kids WANT to spend time outside.  So let them at it and they’ll find their own fun.  That’s a promise.

Until next time…

Caro and Co

For more tips, advice and ideas on how to find wonder in all you do, pick up a copy of my new my book Caro & Co ~ Helping Kids find Wonder in the Everyday, published by Sally Milner Publishing. You can buy it via the link in my sidebar above or at all good bookstores and online. For interview opportunities please contact Jackie Evans on 0407 776 222 or jep.pub@bigpond.net.au

Given the number of barbecues that will be had between now and the first week of February I was on the lookout for a pair of BBQ tongs or some such thing.  But no, this is a million times better. Until now, I didn’t realise there was such a thing as BBQ music.  This has enlightened me.

Really? And it’s a 5 CD set…

I feel I must suggest that you buy my latest book.  If you know of someone who needs to return a little wonder to their child’s everyday, then this is for you and them….

Caro and Co

Looking for a gift for the pet lover in your family?  This is beyond daft but so hilarious, I’m thinking of buying one for every member of my family and not just the canine variety…

Tags to cover foofy holes? You gotta be kidding me…

I was never a one for hanging pots until I saw this one. I’m now a convert.

I want this SO much…

This is quite possibly the most beautiful wall decal for a child I’ve seen in a long time.

Gotta love this bunny…

My mate Mrs Woog, of Woogsworld is one of the funniest (and loveliest) Australian bloggers writing today.  Her latest book, Primary School Confidential confirms that.  Perfect for reading poolside during the holidays.  You should also check out her gift guide…

For someone who likes to snort with laughter ~ a lot.

Looking for something to keep the kids outside and out of your hair for just a bit longer each night (aren’t we all)? This might help…

It glows in the dark…

If you have a foodie in the family who’s looking to cook what they grow, this is perfect…

Don’t worry it’s not all vegan…

If you’re looking for a gift for a tween/teen girl, you’ll make a hero of yourself if you buy anything, I repeat anything from Dotti.

Dotti madness

Despite once giving myself a black eye playing this game, I’d still recommend buying Totem Tennis if you’re looking for a great outdoor game for your kids.

Totem Tennis ~ a game of my childhood

Tween/Teen boys can be totally impossible to buy for.  My 15 year old reliably informs me that anything from factorie would be gratefully received.

On trend clothes for tween/teen boys

This book sounds absolutely intriguing.  It’s the story of the powerhouse that was the Elizabeth Gould, the wife of our most famous ornithologist, John Gould.

For Gouldian fans…

 If you have more money than sense, you could consider this…

Hermes rocking horse…

Whilst I don’t have an artistic bone in my body, I’d still like one of these.  The bonus is you also get to visit Ikea.

For the budding artist…

On a windy day there really is nothing better than flying a kite…

“Let’s go fly a kite…”

This game is revolutionising backyard and beach cricket. It’s a must if there are any cricket tragics in your family.

And finally, Christmas holidays just wouldn’t be right without a game of Uno…

Many a fierce battle has been fought in my family over this game…

What’s your go-to gift for those impossible to buy for?

Until next time…

Five Simple Things:

Hedwig

1. Mix the magical with the practical. By adding a few props to everyday chores or activities we can make outdoors a wondrous place for children. For example, sprinkle some glitter around the veggie patch and you have evidence of fairies. Place a few white pebbles along the lawn and you know that there are dragons about. Place one of their toys in a ‘comfortable’ spot in the garden and they’ll believe they come alive at night. My daughter had a stuffed Hedwig (Harry Potter Owl) when she was very little. Every night I used to put him in a different place around the garden. She was certain he could fly and would race outside each morning to see where he had ended up. It was a delight to witness her joy. Now almost 14, she still has Hedwig sitting on her bookshelf.  I admit that he’s not as prone to night-time flights as he once was.
   

   Hitting the off button isn’t as hard as you think…

2. Set (at least) one 24-hour period of green time rather than screen time each week. Ban all technology for 24 hours. This includes parents too. It is easier than you think ~ this is my promise to you.  But plan ahead a little with this one.  Have in mind what you might replace the screen time with before hitting the off switch.  You could involve your children by asking them what they would like to do.
3. Role model the behaviour you wish to see in your children. That is, set aside regular slabs of time in your own day to get outside. A walk with the dog, a game of footy in the back garden or local park, a bit of gardening, visiting a botanic garden, a stroll through your neighbourhood are all achievable. It doesn’t have to be hard, but in so doing, you are showing your children that outdoors is important, can be great fun and leads to overall better health.  Admittedly, if you work full-time this can be tricky, but not insurmountable.  Try and schedule a few early morning walks during the week and a couple of hours each day over the weekend.
   

   Doing “nothing” and enjoying it.

4. This is my personal favourite. Have a discussion with your child’s teacher about building some “active homework” into the weekly homework schedule. There are many studies that show formal homework offers zero benefits to primary school-aged children (but that’s a discussion for another day). For example, rather than rote learning some maths and transcribing it into a workbook, request that your child be set some tasks such as finding 10 leaves of different shapes and sizes, or counting and drawing all the birds they can see/hear in the garden. They could be asked to help mow the lawn with Mum or bake a mud cake with Dad.  Active homework, to my mind, leads to more engaged learning.
   

   A job for the kids ~ washing the dog…

5. Set them some regular outdoor tasks such as helping with gardening, feeding or washing the dog, tending the veggie patch, picking some flowers for an indoor arrangement, collecting and creating a found collection for a pretty indoor display and so on. The options here are endless (and age specific). Try NOT to help your child. Let them enjoy the mastery of these simple tasks by themselves.  You could set up a reward calendar to accompany their set tasks if you wish.

May I cheekily suggest my new book would make a great Christmas present?  I’d love your support, as writing it has been a joy and I’m so committed to helping parents give their children the gift of wonder. Richard Louv, who I admire tremendously says about my book: “Caroline Webster has written a brilliant book of simple and fun activities that will motivate young children to go outdoors, and will help them foster critical developmental skills as they use more of their senses to explore, imagine and create”.

You can purchase it via the link in my sidebar above, or at all good bookstores and online. For interview opportunities please contact Jackie Evans on 0407 776 222 or jep.pub@bigpond.net.au

Until next time…

Boys doing what they do best.

I believe there may well be a silent movement afoot.  Parents are again starting to realise how important it is to replace large slabs of their kids’ screen time with a healthy dose of green time each day and we would also appear to be understanding that it doesn’t need to be hard…It’s not that we’re trying to turn our children into outdoor warriors overnight (and nor should we).

Hanging out…

Instead I am seeing over and over, parents re-introducing their kids to the concept of finding a balance in all they do.  A return to mindfulness, if you will.  Living in the moment and striving to find contentment with a simpler, more active way of life.  Not in the meditation/yoga sense (personally they just send me to sleep).  No, simply by encouraging our children to look up and out and recognising that the best place for this is outdoors.

Just being…

I’d also suggest that many parents are sensing that our kids’ contact with their greater community (or village) is slipping and that getting outside and re-engaging with their neighbourhood is a good thing.  All this fills me with joy. Not only because it’s such fun for kids to be out and about and exploring,  but also because there are some very important reasons to turf our kids outside.

Skipping stones…

1. A little bit of sunshine each day ensures our children receive an essential dose of Vitamin D. Amongst other things; Vitamin D regulates the absorption of calcium, which is critical for building healthy, strong bones. Just 10 minutes a day (pre-sunscreen) is enough. After that it’s time to ‘Slip, slop, slap‘.
   

   Building cubbies…

2. Spending time outdoors reduces the likelihood of obesity, as children are more likely to be moving, running, kicking, jumping when outside.
3. It reduces the risk of children developing myopia (shortsightedness). Simply put, if devices are put down and children are forced to focus at different or varying lengths for regular periods of time outdoors, in natural light, it keeps their eyes strong. Research shows that Myopia has increased markedly in children since the advent of handheld devices, computer games and too much screen time in general.
4. There are many studies that show by spending time connecting with the wonder of nature and outdoors, the chances of depression is minimized and/or alleviated.    A June 29 study by the National Academy of Sciences found that a small group of subjects who strolled through nature for just an hour and a half reported a significant reduction in negative thoughts.
   

   Discovering…

5. According to a study published in Psychological Science, spending (unstructured) time in nature gives the brain a break from everyday overstimulation. They suggest that this can also have a positive effect on subsequent attention levels.
6. Studies (U.S.) have shown spending time formally learning outdoors can actually increase a child’s ability to learn. It may well improve academic results as a consequence.
7. Studies have also shown that for children with ADHD or on the Autism spectrum, spending regular time outdoors boosted focus and afforded higher scores in concentration. Interestingly, studies are currently underway to see if spending time outdoors diminishes sensory issues amongst autistic children.
8. 

   Dirt is good!

   It boosts immunity. Spending time playing/digging in the soil, running through the bush, swimming in the ocean and so on, naturally exposes children to germs. But in so doing, their immunity to potential disease is actually boosted. (Obviously observing good hygiene is still important). Some studies suggest that the incidence of colds and flu are also diminished if we spend regular time outside. Vitamin D is also accepted as a cold/flu preventer…

9. Giving children the opportunity to enjoy unstructured play outside innately creates periods of self-discovery and can lead to moments of wonder. When we experience wonder, we release dopamine and endorphins. These lead to moments of intense happiness and contentment. The molecule (and neurotransmitter) Dopamine, along with Serotonin and Oxytocin are known as the happy endorphins.
10. When children are outside exploring, playing and discovering, it innately builds resilience and affords lessons about consequence and responsible risk-taking.
11. Fine and gross motor skills are improved and refined when children are outside.
    

    Tree climbing

12. Spending time outside fosters creativity and imagination. It affords a child the opportunity to question their immediate and greater environment and their place within it. Mother Nature has the most wonderful props-box from which children can borrow to create the most fantastic games and scenarios with nothing other than what they can find outside.

Are you part of the movement?  Do you turf your kids outside to enjoy the wonders to be found there? I’d love to hear about it.

For more tips, advice and ideas on how to find wonder in all you do, look out for my book “Caro & Co ~ Helping Kids find Wonder in the Everyday”, published by Sally Milner Publishing. You can preorder via the link in my sidebar above or it’s available from 01 December at all good bookstores and online. For interview opportunities please contact Jackie Evans on 0407 776 222 or jep.pub@bigpond.net.au

Until next time…

Elm blossoms doing their thing

I was watching the elm blossoms fall outside my window this morning and it led me to think about how powerful and evocative reminiscing can be. You see it reminded me of when my daughter stuck some snow into a journal.  She was about eight at the time and did it after spending 10 minutes excitedly ‘whooping’ around our garden trying to catch snowflakes on her tongue.  At our farm we are blessed to experience four seasons, but snow that actually settles on the ground for any length of time is a bit of a rarity. As a consequence Grace was super excited to wake and find the white stuff lying prettily across the garden.

Melting snowflakes on a Cotinus

Once she had caught the snow, she raced inside, flung open her journal and tipped a few precious flakes onto a page and attached it using sticky tape.  She was old enough to know that it was a temporary measure, but as she said to me later,  “Every time I look at that page Mama, I will remember the fun I had chasing snow in our garden.” I like her attitude.

Things from nature can make beautiful indoor arrangements

I’ve long encouraged my children to capture their outdoor memories, believing that in so doing, I’m building within them a lasting love of nature.  We’ve taken photos, written stories and pasted things into schoolbooks.  We’ve put things in jars and made homes for insects out of old shoeboxes.

Our recent seaside haul

Shells have been lovingly collected and placed into bowls, along with gum nuts that we’ve then drizzled with fragrant oils to make an instant potpourri or decorated with glitter to make funky arrangements.

Home made Christmas decoration.

You name it and we’ve probably collected it.

An early artwork

My son has always enjoyed observing the growth of things, especially our vegetables.  He used to love taking weekly measurements of our peas as they snaked their way slowly but surely up a trellis and once I remember he tried to estimate exactly how many kale seedlings were growing in the patch.  62 I think it was.

Peas fresh from the patch

Reminiscing about these times fills me with joy.

Scent is another great maker of memories. The smell of Daphne in winter and I’m transported back to my grandmother’s garden. A whiff of wattle and I can see myself as a child sneezing as we walked home from school. Lily of the Valley and I remember the sweet little wreath I made for Grace’s head on her Christening day.

A sneezing machine

So I’ve decided I’m going to encourage my now teenaged children to spend time every other month to sit down and reminisce. I’ll cook their favourite meal (15 years on and it’s still schnitzel, peas and mashed potato) and together we’ll explore the memories we have made and those that we hope to create in the future.

A recent collection. Everything was found in our garden.

What’s your favourite memory and are you a collector of them?

Until next time…

For more tips, advice and ideas on how to find wonder in all you do, look out for my book “Caro & Co ~ Helping Kids find Wonder in the Everyday”, published by Sally Milner Publishing. Available from 01 December at all good bookstores and online. For interview opportunities please contact Jackie Evans on 0407 776 222 or jep.pub@bigpond.net.au

Cherry Blossoms

Go for a walk around your suburb and look for the multitude of spring blossoms likely to be on offer. Collect as many as you can and use them to make some potpourri (after you’ve dried them out), a sweet little bed for the fairies in your garden or a dainty arrangement for a vase.

Rainbow Lorikeets are active during spring

I’ve never known a child who isn’t fascinated by rainbows. From a very young age they are likely to know its colours and when spotted will most likely want to set off to try and catch it. If there are no real rainbows on offer, why not help them make this delicious rainbow sandwich and then head outdoors in search of the real deal or spend the afternoon drawing some.  You’ll also find Rainbow Lorikeets are very active during spring so you could go looking for them too.

For one sandwich, you will need:

Lovely image found at 1K Smiles

It can be windy in spring. Why not make or buy a small kite and head to the park?  Because everyone loves to go fly a kite don’t they?

Vampira

October 31 means Halloween. Love it or hate it, it’s my view that it is a great way to create community. So don a simple costume and wander the streets with your kids.

Plant seeds now and this is what you’ll have come summer

Get stuck into the garden! There will be pruning and planting to do and it’s definitely time to dig out any Bindii so your summer is prickle-free. This is a great activity for young kids. All they need is kitchen fork and plastic bag. My daughter adored doing this when she was young as she was keen to ensure a weed free lawn. Now is also the perfect time for children to plant potatoes, pumpkins, tomatoes and zucchini (just make sure you’ve had the last of any frosts).

What’s your favourite thing to do during spring?

Until next time…

For more recipes, tips, advice and ideas on how to find wonder in all you do, look out for my book “Caro & Co ~ Helping Kids find Wonder in the Everyday”, published by Sally Milner Publishing. Available from 01 December at all good bookstores and online. For interview opportunities please contact Jackie Evans on 0407 776 222 or jep.pub@bigpond.net.au