Leo and I had a lovely morning on Monday. Instead of wasting the morning away just pottering around in the house, I decided it would be nice for us to go feed the ducks at the local lake. It was during our trip to the lake that I had an epiphany, but I’ll tell you more about that later..
Going to feed the ducks without Oli is a big deal for me. If you don’t know this about me already, I am terrified of birds. Not cute little duckys but birds that fly around in big groups squawking, flapping and just being generally terrifying. I am not sure what the phobia is called but whatever it is, I totally have it.
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| At least Leo hasn’t inherited my bird phobia! |
Anyway, we got to the lake, Leo ate most of the bread fed the ducks, a swarm of gulls arrived and I chucked the last of the bread in the bin. The binning of the bread was the result of actual fear that the birds would come swooping down, steal the bread and maybe peck us to death in the process.
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| As you can probably guess, the Spiderman shoes are now ruined! |
Following the traumatic duck feeding experience, Leo and I had a wonder through the woods, chucked sticks in the lake and squelched around in bogs (I forgot Leo’s wellies I might add, disaster!). It was while Leo was ‘walking the plank’ along a fallen tree that I had my epiphany. The realisation was so strong I almost forgot to support my 2 year old on his journey across ‘the plank’.
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| Walking the plank.. |
My epiphany was this..
I don’t do this enough. I have stopped enjoying time outside, just me and Leo.
When we lived in Swansea, I used to take Leo out all the time. We would go to the beach, explore local woods and run through the grass in all the different parks. We don’t do that any more. On the weekends we do stuff as a family but since moving to Hampshire, Leo and I are spending much less time in the great outdoors.
This is partly because I just don’t know what to do here. There are beaches close by (ish) but not right on our doorstep like before. I hate driving alone on the motorway and it feels like you can’t go anywhere in the South without being forced down a slip road and onto the m27.
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| He doesn’t ever walk, he runs. |
As soon as I realised this I felt so guilty. Leo must miss it too. All that outdoor space, the freedom, the happier Mum? Whenever we go out now it is only really to baby groups or soft play. I am not my best when we are at these places. I am on edge, worried Leo is going to have a tantrum, stressing that some bigger kids are going to push him over, trying to stay calm while solving some kind of toddler conflict. It is different when we are outside, just exploring and running around. I feel so much more relaxed just walking around amongst the trees, watching my boy running around and just spending some stress free time together.
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| Throwing sticks in water, best game ever? |
Now I have realised we are no longer making the most of the amazing world around us, I am going to start getting out more and I am going to try and find more places for Leo and I to explore. Instead of pining for the adventures we used to have in Swansea, I am going to start discovering new fun things for us to do here in Hampshire. If that means a scary trip down the always busy motorway on my own, then so be it. Just look at Leo’s little face, so full of wonder and curiosity. My boy loves to explore the great outdoors and who am I to deny him that?
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| He reminds me of a bird here. A cute one though, not a scary horrible one. |
Do you spend much one and one time exploring the great outdoors with your little one? Or do you keep the exploring for when you have your other half there too? What about the bird fear thing, does anyone else out there have that too or is it just me?
It's hard to find time to get outdoors with the kids sometimes isn't it but they do love it. I find this time of year, with all the layers and boots and hats and gloves that it takes even more effort to get out the door but agree – it's so worth it when you do. 🙂
Looks like you had a wonderful day and don't be too hard on yourself. It's hard when you move somewhere new without a support network #bloggersclubuk
Going out alone when my three children were little scared me, but I always did it, as in the long run I actually found it easier than staying home. The children loved it. It can be really hard to push yourself to do something you find uncomfortable, but usually worth it in the end. It looks like you had a wonderful trip out here (despite the birds) and seeing your childs face loving it, makes it all worth it. Good luck with more exploring adventures x #Whatevertheweather
Lovely pictures! I'm also guilty of not getting my toddler outdoors enough – he's very clingy, so he'll often just cling to me which can get a bit wearing, but he's never going to learn to explore and be a bit more independent if I don't give him the chance. Also feel your pain on the bird fear – I've never liked them much, but I used to have recurring nightmares as a child about pelicans invading my house! I'm a bit better these days 🙂 #bloggerclubuk
Oh Wendy, I had an experience in Brynmill park a while ago that you would have absolutely hated! We were there at about 9am and decided to feed the ducks. As we went over to the kiosk my 4 year old said, "look, the birds are following us" and I turned round to see about 30 pigeons stalking us! It was terrifying, the followed us all round the park until I got rid of the last of the seeds! I hope you do manage to find some great places in your new area where you can get out and about, and thank you for the reminder of how lucky I am to be here in Swansea. x #BloggerClubUK
I totally agree, I kept waiting for my partner to have some free time to go out. But then I realised I just have to get out and do it. I know what you mean about being relaxed outdoors, I too hate softplay, baby groups and any other situation where I'm forced together with other parents and their offspring. I always feel like my parenting is under scrunity or I worry about Finn being too boisterous. No such worries outside, he can be as loud and as active as he likes and I don't have to worry about anyone else 🙂 #whatevertheweather
I definitely feel much more relaxed when outdoors with my boys, much less chance of them upsetting other people or children or worry about what other parents think of me or mine! It must be hard when you don't know the area so well, I guess there is nothing else to do but go exploring! Can you take public transport if you don't want to drive? I'm not sure what yours is like down there, but I find it difficult to get to exactly where I want with trains and buses up here, so we settle for the same old walk and bike rides, I hope to get further afield at weekends with the car.
Thanks so much for linking up to #Whatevertheweather and I hope you find many new places to find adventures! 🙂 x
We have been guilty of not going out as much as we should and I need to change that. When we had our son 16 weeks ago I guess I just felt it was too much bother but now I will get out and go. We also went duck feeding this week and it was great fun! #Whatevertheweather
My children love to be outside too. In fact, I often feel a great affinity with the dog walkers I see on our frequent trips to the park, exercising the pair of them 😉 Actually, I love to be outside too. Beaches win for me, but seeing as we are miles from the nearest one, I will happily settle for the woods.
x Alice
#kcacols
You and Leo looked liked you some great fun feeding the ducks…shame about the Spider-Man shoes!!! I agree with you wholeheartedly I always seems to forget what we can do around our area and lately been a bit of a recluse. It could be the weather I am not sure but I will be exploring some more with my little one!!! #KCACOLS
I don't get out nearly as much as I should and I know my daughter hated me for it when she was a bit younger but I couldn't explain that I just couldn't face it! I know how you feel about the ducks too, I fear that same thing everytime I see them and my heart starts to race a little bit more! #KCACOLS
Unfortunately we can only ever go out and explore the natural beauties of nature when my hubby is about, as I don't drive. However that's not a bad thing as we get to experience all the joys and wonders nature has to ofoffoffer together! I hope you any the gorgeous Leo get to do more outdoorsy things. xx #KCACOLS
Unfortunately we can only ever go out and explore the natural beauties of nature when my hubby is about, as I don't drive. However that's not a bad thing as we get to experience all the joys and wonders nature has to ofoffoffer together! I hope you any the gorgeous Leo get to do more outdoorsy things. xx #KCACOLS
It's so nice to get out and about, without all the stress of other people. (I sound like such a people hater!) We have a lovely river walk not far from our house which leads down to the boating lake, so it has the best of both worlds – nature and tarmac paths. 😉 x #KCACOLS
I was guilty of this when my son was younger. When I passed my driving test, I made a conscious effort to take him places further afield. Now, I'm taking my daughter to the same places!
Laura xx
#KCACOLS
It must be tough moving to a new area. I am not good with soft play or baby groups either so can completely relate to that! It looks like you had a great time even without the wellies. I am sure you will find some other great places to visit. Theres a lovely little stream in Abinger Hammer (I wrote a post on it in the summer). Thank you for joining us at #BloggerClubUK hope to see you again next week xx
I really understand what you mean about outdoors making you feel so much better. You're happier, they're happier. There is a sense of freedom that comes with it. Sometimes being in and going to soft play all the time can be so stressful. They do have to behave in a certain way indoors and outdoors just feels so much more relaxed. I too am terrified of birds swooping in and stealing all the bread so I would have been out of there too so quickly! Although Evie is so much like Leo and would have eaten most of it herself anyway. I can't wait to see some more of your outdoor adventures. Thank you so much for sharing with #whatevertheweather xx
It's so true that time outside is good for all of us – not just for the fresh air and exercise but it is good for the soul. My biggest has chicken pox at the moment so we're going a bit stir crazy but we'll hopfully all get out somewhere nice during half term. We need to do it more too! #KCACOLS
I'm always thinking the same. I know the girls love going outdoors but the weather is always a problem because if we go to a playground everything is wet and they get completely wet too which is a nightmare. I always prefer to do this with Nick than on my own with the girls unless we are in the middle of the summer and we have a sunny and warm day. Now that Sienna is at nursery she gets to go out a lot so she is getting that outdoor time that she needed. Thanks so much for sharing this at #KCACOLS. I would love to see you again on Sunday! 🙂 x