Recently I went on a five day camping adventure in North Yorkshire with my boy of sweetness and my best friend. We were camping-out with other families and writers from Veronika Robinson’s hugely inspiring magazine The Mother. It was a very ‘green’ camp with composting toilets, a vegan ethos and lots of families parenting with the Continuum Concept paradigm. 
One of the golden rules of camp was to NOT bring any plastic toys. At first glance I thought no problem. My babe is totally enraptured with cars, so most of his toys are metal. But as I began packing his small toy rucksack, I couldn’t believe how many of his vehicles have plasticy bits on them. Actually, I was a bit mortified by all of the plastic that had crept into his tiny three years of existence! However, I did manage to pull together some items for him, but I did feel a little nervous at the prospect of not taking some of his preferred favourites.
Obviously upon reflection it was a ridiculous worry. Our camping area was a lush haven of unexplored possibilities. Even though the weather was far from brilliant (as any of you that live or have visited the north of England can tell you) Zenchai was completely absorbed by the nature that surrounded us. There were way too many sticks, forest trails, streams, mud, hills, sunflower valleys and fires to build to even think about his toys. He even lucked out by finding some rusty buckets (rotting cars / tractors etc.), which he quickly adopted as his own. In the end he never opened his rucksack.
Although we live a fairly simple life for a family residing in London our rural outing really showed me how far from nature we really are. All of the countryside recreation was so pure and magical. I can’t wait for the time when fresh air and nature are our daily staples!
Tags: children, conscious parenting, exercise, Family, flowers, Health, holidays, Homeschooling, Jamie's Musings, love, nature, organic, parenthood, raw kids, raw mom, Tips for Moms, trees
Jamie,
I was there too! I’m sorry we didn’t meet properly. My son is about the same age as Zenchai and he just loves to be outside whatever the weather - definitely no toys needed! I wanted to add that the Blessingway we attended was beautiful - a ceremony for two mums a few weeks away from birth who were honoured and received a bead and a blessing from each of us. It was deeply moving and I think every woman should experience this beauty and empowerment.
Anyway, the shock news now is that The Mother magazine is on the brink of folding and needs new subscriptions in order to save it so please please check out http://www.themothermagazine.co.uk and subscribe, subscribe a friend, leave your magazines lying around in suitable places. We can’t let it disappear - it is too valuable a resource.
There is also a facebook group - Save The Mother.
Hi Natalie,
Oh what a shame we didn’t properly meet! Which hot mama are you then?
Agreed the blessingway was so magical. I am giving one next Sunday to a dear friend. Can’t wait!
Also agreed that The Mother needs saving! It is way too valuable of a resource to fold. So lets get manifesting! xx