Slow Motherhood Challenge: Take a Hike

The weather has finally cooled down a little. Mid-mornings are absolutely beautiful, still a little crisp, but not yet hot. All summer long, I look forward to fall so much, when we can go to a park without overheating or the beach without being so crowded. And it is here! It is the perfect time to go on a hike, or a “nature hike” as we call them.

This fall, we are going hiking. We are taking time to take little adventures in some of our regional parks, to admire the natural world around us and slow down a bit.

During these hikes, I am challenging myself not to direct. To allow the hike to unfold exactly as my toddler wants it to. To follow an interesting trail through a tunnel or hide from the “woofes.” I am following his lead as he finds a cool rock and throws it, only to go back and pick it up again. And if we only see the same 100 feet of the park, so be it.

I am trying my hardest to not allow my habit of hurry to rush him out of learning, being, and imagining.

It is hard.

We are so used to rushing out of the house, getting ourselves to the next destination, and busying our way through the day that we forget how to slow down, even on our days off, when we have the time to do it. Even on our precious days off, we often can’t stop the habit of hurry.

So, for my monthly slow motherhood challenge, I am challenging myself (and hopefully you too!) to take a few child-led hikes. This fall, we are going to get to know all of our regional parks (we bought a park pass!) and one or two national ones, too.

This is not a strenuous hike or brisk walk to burn calories, although if you want to throw in a few squats or a fast-paced game of tag, wonderful! This is the kind of hike that could probably better be described as a slow stroll. It is the kind of hike that truly takes time to smell the flowers (or fence with sticks, talk about gopher holes, lay in the grass, or whatever your little ones want to do). It is a time to slow down and then “speedy cat” around the trail. To leave behind the “come ons” and the “let’s gos” in exchange for saying ok, and crouching down to look at the ninth pile of dirt or the third chipmunk tunnel.

I’m challenging myself to allow my little one to lead me on our next hike, to get outside, and enjoy the fresh air, nature, and most of all, each other in this beautifully wondrous toddler age.

I know that these days are going way too fast and that with every milestone, I lose a bit of their childhood. With every bit of gained independence (hurray!), I lose a bit of their wonder. And I know that cultivating a habit of being present, especially with my children is one of the best gifts I can give to both of us.

So, this fall, I am working on taking “nature hikes” and letting my little guy lead. I can’t wait to see what we’ll discover!

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Last time month, My challenge was to write. The rest of the Slow Motherhood Challenges are here.