2017
by Linda Akeson McGurk

I have to say, I am a total wuss about weather.  I’ve spent most of my life living in mild, warm climates.  I easily get “too hot” or “too cold,” and being a homebody anyway, it’s a safe bet that turning back to go into the house comes quicker to me than most.

All that being said, I KNOW in my heart the importance of being outside.  I can feel it.  When I was a kid and we were outside for recess or break, regardless of “weather” ( I will say heavily in quotes), I loved the feeling of wind on my face or a chill in the air or the warm sun shining down and heating my head.  As a grown-up, I have the ability to go in when it’s the slightest bit uncomfortable.  But, oddly, I miss the “uncomfortableness” of being outside in different weather.

Every time I read The Secret Garden, I vow to spend our entire days outside.  I want our kids to run and be out in nature.  Not only for their health and mental well-being, but as a way to connect with the natural world.  To love it and care for it.  Our world needs us as much as we need it.  Having people trapped inside and staring at devices all day isn’t doing our world any good for gaining supporters who will step up for our precious Mother Nature.  A huge disconnect has happened, and people don’t make the important connections about where their “stuff” is coming from and what will happen to it when they’re done with it.

I’m digressing though.  There’s No Such Thing as Bad Weather is the author’s story and exploration of children’s time with Nature.  Although her girls were born in the U.S., Linda was born in Sweden, where kids are encouraged to be outside playing, no matter the weather.  So, when her family has a 6-month stay in Sweden after news of a sick family member there, the author takes the opportunity to reflect on the different approach taken in her native country.

In Sweden, outdoor time, especially for children, is highly valued.  School tests and academics at ridiculously young ages are something this mom faced in her American hometown, but when her girls enroll in Swedish schools, the emphasis on play and Nature far outweighs stressful academic benchmarks.  Linda goes on to reflect on other parental issues, germs and technology and when to give kids more freedom.

This book has truly been an inspiration, and I hope to re-read it again soon.  Even as a parent who highly limits screen time, I find that, especially with Covid, our outdoor time has been lacking this past year.  Getting out of the house with the kids is TOUGH, and I appreciate that the author acknowledges she faces these same struggles too.  Sometimes, even just to step onto our front step feels like a major accomplishment.  But this book has helped me realize what I’ve known all along.  It’s always worth it.  I need to be okay with the getting-out-the-door battles or the risk that the outing will be a big, fat fail, because the times that do work are wonderful.  I think the more it can be habit and routine, the more likely it will happen.  And, yes, I agree, that when the kids have other kids to play with, instead of their old mama, they’ll be inspired to play outdoors more frequently and for longer.  It’s been a strange year for that piece of the puzzle.  But as far as Nature goes, it’s always there waiting, regardless of the weather.

You may also enjoy:
The Secret Garden
The Year of Living Danishly