Time To Bond, Time To Reflect, Time To Be Free...

I've been quite quiet on the blog front recently with all the crazy of the festive season and home life stresses. Now calm has resumed and along with the rest of the nation, our family has made intentions to become fitter, healthier and happier. I am feeling renewed inspiration for toddler adventures and the writing bug has bitten once more...

With all the vigour of New Year's resolutions underway I thought that I would begin 2020 writing about my inspiration for Diary of an Adventure Mama - getting outdoors and going on an adventure!

My absolute fav thing to do with Orla is simply packing up the carrier and heading off somewhere to explore. We are so fortunate to live in such a beautiful part of the country, with beaches, countryside and moorland literally 30mins from our door. Why not make the most of it? Nature has an amazing way of reminding you what is important in life and connecting you back to what truly matters... plus it's free!

Exe Estuary Trail, Exmouth (2019)

Time To Bond...

Since reducing my hours at work after mat leave, Orla and I spend a lot of time together while Geoff is at work earning the pennies. The days can get quite lonely and when the monotony of morning/evening/bath/bedtime/breakfast/lunch/dinner routines start to take their toll I quite often end up resenting Geoff for having his escape at work. I get frustrated feeling like a single parent (although I actually have no idea how a single parent feels...or does it!). Despite the myriad of lovely toys that Orla has and toddler friendly activities that I pinch from Pinterest or toddler groups that we attend to fill our days, the one thing sure to engage both of us and reset the mind is getting outdoors. This is when I am able to solely focus on Orla, not thinking of the pile of washing I need to get through or wondering when I actually last did any housework. My mind is 100% engaged in coaxing her to keep walking (not pick up every stone we come across... just most!) or carrying her (now a hefty 12.5kgs) and occupying her focus with pointing out what we can see, smell and hear. Getting outside, even for just a 20 minute walk, can go a long way towards both of our physical and mental health, as well as strengthening the most important of relationships.

Holyford Woods, Sidmouth (2018)

Time to Reflect...

Being outside also allows me the time to reflect on my day, week, work, parenting - anything that comes to mind really. Quite often the normal routines of home life can consume us so completely that we often forget to take a step back and re-assess what's important. Time spent outside, raising my heart rate, taking my mind off of home life and directing it elsewhere ("Orla can you see the squirrel?") often provides clarity and resolutions. Reflecting allows us to mentally work through issues that are challenging and/or stressful, looking at the situation from a different perspective and helping us to see how it has affected us physically/mentally, etc. I am quite used to this process from my career in midwifery, but sometimes forget how important it is to do at home as well. When Orla was tiny I naturally found myself conversing with her about situations at home (I know she had no concept of relationship/work/finance stresses but I got bored of "look it's a tree"... again) which helped me work through my transition into motherhood and the change this label encompasses. Plus the conversation with Orla helped develop her communication skills or put her to sleep - bonus! Now that she is beginning to talk the excitement of letting her tell me about her world reminds me of the bigger picture and how small my stresses actually are.

Killerton, Broadclyst (2019)

Time to be free...

Having the time to simply be together and the mindless chatter of naming what we see or what we are doing somehow connects us more emotionally than any of our other activities. It also has the added benefit of cutting the umbilical cord with all the technology in our house. Getting out with Orla teaches both of us that the world is not going to fall apart because we haven't watched CBeebies for 30mins or checked FaceBook a million times. The subject of 'screen time' is a contentious one with the World Health Organisation (2019) recommending children between 2 and 5yrs should be limited to only 60 minutes of screen time per day (the less the better) and children under 2yrs, it says, should not spend any time with screens at all. We are nowhere near achieving this gold standard in our household with CBeebies being our login page on the iPad and The Gruffalo DVD being on a continual loop. I feel guilt every time I use the TV to entertain Orla while I prepare meals/hang washing out/go to the toilet, but sometimes needs must (unless anyone can let me know a trick for cooking without a toddler hanging off their leg or trying to put their hands between your legs while you pee). Getting outside or 'forest bathing' as those sophisticated London types have started calling it, demands freedom from social media/technology (I mean who can get 4G on the middle of the moor?) which can only be a good thing right?

Fingle Bridge, Drewsteignton (2019)

Orla is always at her happiest in the fresh air and therefore wherever we may be and whatever we may be doing, spending time outdoors will always shape our adventures. Whatever form your adventures may take, having the time to bond and reflect with freedom is time your family needs.

#timetobond #timetoreflect #timetobefree #adventuremama #exploretheoutdoors