“Just get outside and play! Experience nature! Get out of this house!”
For nearly twenty years, I’ve been imploring my children with these phrases. It seems unnatural for energetic little ones to be confined within the walls of our home. Yet, many kids in our country, even those engaged in outdoor sports, often find themselves spending most of their time indoors, with limited access to fresh air and nature.
And it’s not solely the kids who are affected; parents are similarly glued to screens, catching glimpses of the sky only through car windows or during quick trips to the store. This disconnect may explain why so many families are grappling with stress and anxiety.
However, there’s a refreshing contrast in Scandinavian countries. When I was urging my kids to embrace the outdoors, I was unwittingly channeling a well-established Scandinavian philosophy known as friluftsliv (pronounced FREE-loofts-leav). Emerged post-WWII, this concept encourages people to reconnect with nature and escape the confines of urban living.
Friluftsliv, which translates to “free-air life,” is now woven into the fabric of Scandinavian culture, particularly in parenting. In Sweden, Denmark, and Norway, it’s common to see families biking to work, taking lunchtime nature walks, and young children playing outside, regardless of the weather conditions. A Swedish saying goes, “There is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothes,” highlighting a deep appreciation for the outdoors that correlates with healthier, happier lives.
Why Nature is Restorative
So, what makes being in nature so restorative? Linda Anderson, author of “Nature’s Playbook: A Guide to Raising Resilient Kids,” shares that our biological clocks align with nature’s rhythms, which modern lifestyles often disrupt. In essence, humans are not designed to spend all day indoors glued to screens.
In her book, Anderson elaborates on the emotional benefits of outdoor play for families, particularly children. Unfortunately, American kids have significantly less outdoor time, often restricted to organized sports rather than unstructured play. To truly reap the advantages of friluftsliv—like boosted self-esteem, curiosity, and creativity—children must engage with nature freely and without supervision. The Swedish government even distinguishes friluftsliv from competitive sports, emphasizing a pressure-free experience outdoors.
Overcoming Fears of Outdoor Play
In the U.S., the fear of letting kids play outside—worries about safety, germs, or the dreaded call to child protective services—often keeps them cooped up indoors. Anderson encourages parents to relax these fears, as research shows that outdoor play doesn’t pose a greater risk than it did in the past; rather, we are simply more aware of negative incidents.
Our children are being confined in ways that disrupt their natural development, not to mention the stress it adds to parents. Nature beckons all of us to step outside, but systemic issues in education and work often stand in the way. Anderson advocates for greater awareness among parents, teachers, and caregivers about the benefits of outdoor play, as these individuals can influence policy decisions regarding public green spaces and childhood regulations.
Time spent in nature should be a fundamental right for all children, not a luxury. So, the next time you find yourself exclaiming, “Get outside and play, for goodness’ sake!” remember, it’s not a failure of patience or parenting; it’s friluftsliv—a mindset rooted in experiencing the freedom of nature and connecting spiritually with the environment. A big thank you to Scandinavia for this life-altering perspective.
Resources for Family Planning
For those interested in family planning, check out our home insemination kit for helpful insights. Additionally, our friends at Impregnator provide expert resources on this topic, and for more information on pregnancy, visit the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.
Summary
Friluftsliv, a Scandinavian philosophy promoting outdoor play and connection with nature, offers a refreshing perspective on parenting that contrasts with the indoor lifestyles prevalent in the U.S. By encouraging unstructured outdoor experiences, children can develop resilience, creativity, and a deeper bond with their environment.
Keyphrase: friluftsliv parenting
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