Nature Deficit Disorder

Since having a family, I've had a steadfast rule that 'weekends are sacred'; work is off-limits on weekends. Sadly, Term 4 - in all its glory - destroys any notion of this! 

However, last Anniversary weekend the family and I managed to 'go bush'. Our family was definitely starting to display symptoms of 'Nature Deficit Disorder'. It was only our 2nd overnight family tramp of the year but not bad considering our youngest, Walt, is less than 1 year old and our oldest, Stella, has just turned 3! It's always an uplifting feeling ditching the computer, emails and phones to reconnect with what's truly important to our family - having an association with the natural world. 

Stella absolutely stormed it. This tramp, at 8km, was a fair few kilometres longer than the last adventure. She walked all of this, with the exception of a 600m section down a steep ridge. The terrain was rugged and extremely demanding on her little legs but her positive attitude and fighter spirit carried her through. Stella's highlight, as always, was playing in the tent - this time with her little bro! Although she did comment later that collecting sticks for the fire with Dad was pretty cool too. Walt had a cruisy ride in Mum's backpack, lapping up the contrasting colours and the curious sounds that nature generates. 

Next year, with the cognitive demand the Toki Pounamu Project and all the other challenges a new schooling year will bring, we plan to get out for an overnight adventure at least once a term. I always feel refreshed after such experiences, albeit small overnighters at this stage with a young family. Stay tuned.