Walkin’ and Talkin’

 

One of my favorite things about this time of year is taking family walks together around the neighborhood after supper. With it being lighter outside we now have a few hours to kill before bedtime routines start up, and we’d rather spend it like this rather than hunker down in front of the telly in the loft. Don’t get me wrong, a movie now and again is nice, but not compared to being outdoors with the birds. And it’s always nice to stretch my legs at a leisurely pace in nature after a long day of chasing after the kids.

Stretching aside, the best thing about these family walks are the conversations Andrew and I have with one another and the kids. There’s something magical that always seems to unfold when we take walks; the kids open up and share so much more about their days and what’s on their heart when we are doing something together as opposed to us grilling them with questions at the table or before bedtime. While walking, Stella has told us so much more about what’s going on in her head and with her friends than any other time. It’s been really healing and eye opening for all of us to talk together about how to deal with difficult challenges that arise in our days. It’s also really good for our marriage to get to connect outside of our home and chat about work and creative projects together. Theodore is starting to chime in too, and it’s wonderful to see him engage with us in a new way that helps develop his curiosity and vocabulary.

Perhaps it’s the fresh air or the distraction of flowers opening up that gives everyone permission to sort of let go. Whatever invites this kind of openeness, I love it and cherish the deeper connection it gives our family.  I encourage you to take walks when you can and see what unfolds for your crew, and if anything, the opportunity to point out the new growth and the all the critters and creatures that make their home outdoors.

 

 

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  • Heather - How sweet that is such a great idea. Looks like you guys have a wagon? I’ve been wondering if it’s worth the investment do you use it often ?ReplyCancel

    • admin - Heather, my parents got this for the boys last year and we love taking it for walks so I’d say it’s worth the investment if you have little ones. The kids also love using it around the yard to tote things here and there, and we take it to parades, the park, and to the grocery store nearby usually on the weekends. Although it’s plastic, I like this one because the seats fold in and it’s pretty comfortable with the foot room. I also use it to help when I garden to take mulch and things from the front to the back…win win! x AmandaReplyCancel

  • Conny - I envy you. I wish I could take a walk with my husband after supper, but although we are married we live 250 km away from each other and only see each other on the weekends. I miss that.
    I like reading your blog, although the font is rather small, but I love the pictures in your blog and the mood that comes from it.
    Thank you for sharing your life with us.ReplyCancel

    • admin - Conny, thank you for your kind words my dear. I know how hard it can be to be away from your husband, mine travels now and again and it’s one of the most difficult things for us! I have had some request to make the font larger and may end up doing a few tweaks to help that. I appreciate your feedback! x AmandaReplyCancel

  • sarah - What a good routine! We like to do walks too, though they of course don’t happen everyday. But often in the middle of the day, when schedules allow, my six-year-old and I will walk down to the mailbox. This is about a 20 minute walk, there and back, if I am solo. But the other day, our walk took us an hour and a half. And I was so fine with that! I am a teacher, too, and the luxury of summer vacation is that we can do this in June, July and part of August. She made a map and checked off landmarks as we walked, and she found a hundred uses (it seemed) for a stick, and we found half of a robin’s egg. There is a lot of luxury in not having any place to be, and I feel that profoundly in the summer months. I recognize this blessing of extra time and am so grateful. Enjoy these warm months with your family! And hopefully, you won’t have too many commitments or places to be…!ReplyCancel

    • admin - Sarah, hey mama what do you teach? I remember those final weeks before getting out of school and the the anticipation that came with not having an agenda for the day. What fun! Question for you, did you have any inspiration for the map your little one made? Stella is wanting me to make her a scavenger hunt and I was just curious if that’s what you were referring to! x AmandaReplyCancel

      • Sarah - Hello Amanda! I am a media specialist for grades 3-5. It’s a pretty great gig! My daughter came up with the map idea on her own, though we’d been looking at our Colorado state map just a few days before. We were checking out a place we’d never been before -Shambhala Mountain Center – in the middle of nowhere, in the middle of the mountains. We spent some time evaluating our route on the map, rather than just using the map app on our phones like we normally do. That may have been her inspiration, though I’m not sure. It was fun watching her create the map and carefully draw her landmarks. It would be fun to make a simple scavenger hunt map! I loved scavenger hunts as a kid…ReplyCancel

        • admin - Sarah, I love this idea. It’s a rainy day over here and I know what we will be making…thank you and yours for the inspiration! 🙂 x AmandaReplyCancel

  • Susannah - We adore family walks as well… Although it can be exhausting with a toddler who wants to get out of the stroller and walk and a baby who often cries… It’s still a wonderful bonding time!ReplyCancel

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