Independently Together

Taking multiple young children out in nature can be very stressful for some people. I too have had plenty of anxiety when exploring the outdoors with my littles. Of course, once I relax and let the kids take the lead, things tend to work themselves out. As I say to fellow teachers, “when adults step back, kids step up.” Sometimes, we don’t allow kids to truly show themselves in an attempt to keep everything safe and “under control” Or maybe better said “under our control.”

In my family, hiking with my three kids can be incredibly stressful and satisfying simultaneously. That’s because my child tend to be independently together. These are not opposites as they may seem, but just an interesting way to describe how my kids enjoy nature and play in their own way while still maintaining a goal and working together to achieve it in the best way they know how.

On our hikes, they each have their favorite activities. However, they also like to keep an eye on each other to see what the others are doing. Occasionally, they’ll break from their preferred activity to join a sibling in theirs. Stepping back and observing, I can see them simultaneously enjoy their own activity while learning and growing through the observation of their peers. Similarly, they may even join forces and combine powers together in a creative and inspirational moments of collaborative play. Then, they are fine with returning to their own happy place and doing what their body, mind, and soul prefers doing. They are independently together and I love watching it.