Three lessons from the outdoors for Election Day
It’s Election Day. How to survive the stress? Here are three things I learned just this week that can help you and your kids pull through.
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3 reasons wearing a life jacket is critical for parents
Your life jacket could not only save your life, it could save your kids lives, but it only works if you put it on.
“Outdoor” things to do when outdoors isn’t cooperating
The kids and I had a very serious meeting this weekend, took stock of our outdoors activities in recent weeks, and we came to an important conclusion: This winter is kind of a dud so far. Yes, yes, lots of folks have snow, but we don’t. Not a touch of it on Mount Desert Island. […]
Life is disappointment, or why I’m breaking my kid’s heart this weekend
Maine is once again embroiled in a headline-grabbing debate that is pitting neighbor against neighbor and big government against the common man. This fight is even going to bring chaos to my own, normally peaceful house very soon. You see, I’m going to have to tell my daughter that I’m breaking a promise I made […]
The beauty of snow day imperfection
At 7:16 this morning, my kids headed out into the first actual snowstorm of the season in our neck of the woods. They pulled on their hand-me-down or thrift store snowsuits and jackets over their pajamas, dug around in our mess of an entryway until they located somewhat appropriate hats and mittens, and headed out […]
The impact of the outdoors on kids’ mental health: A Scraped-Up interview
This is my absolute least favorite time of year to try to get the kids outside. It’s cold enough to discourage casual outdoor play and there’s no snow to provide a counteracting lure. Plus it’s practically dark by the time the kids get home–and definitely dark by the time I get home. I’ve noticed everyone […]
The non-lazy, non-hazy, super crazy days of summer
Remember my plea to not let summer go? We tried, we really, really tried. But sometimes, things just get too busy. We have gotten too busy. In the last two weeks, I have been to the following locations in Maine: Blue Hill, Augusta, Gouldsboro, Portland, and Belfast. My husband has been in these places: Blue […]
Great Hikes for Kids: Loop Trail, Lamoine State Park
Location: Hancock County Distance: 1 mile Difficulty: Easy Ages: All ages, but probably of most interest to those under 10 While visiting family earlier this summer, my son missed a preschool field trip to Lamoine State Park. Since then, he’s been pestering us relentlessly to visit this nearby park. We’ve put it off because it’s […]
Got a fourth grader? Get them in a park
Because I was so distracted by the first day of school and it’s ensuing dramas, I kind of forgot something important. Yesterday, September 1st, marked the opening of the Every Kid in a Park initiative. Every fourth grader in the country is eligible for a free pass to all federal parks and waters. These passes […]
My 2015 Family Outdoor Goals
I don’t really do New Year’s resolutions. I’m a pretty imperfect person, so it’s a given that at any point in any year I’m trying to eat better, work out more, be more generous and be a more patient parent. Stating those things again on January 1st doesn’t really make anything magical happen for me. […]
