T-Ball Won't Take Us Down

This post deals with potentially irrational worries. Worries of a mom who want so desperately to live off the grid, get back to nature, back to beautiful simplicity, but is oh so interwoven with modern life that she makes do with building up bits and pieces of that dream. Because, come on now, let's face it, urban homesteading is a lifestyle that takes full commitment and to be honest I'm not there. And I definitely couldn't handle goats, or chickens, or even a puppy at this point! But despite our dependence on the commercial world, everyday I try my hardest to live with intention. And my intention (and that of my husband via my sometimes obsessive drive to do so) is to give our children a childhood filled with time to play, explore, and experience the natural world. We want to teach them how to live with intention too. How to make things with their own hands, how to trace the source of their food (hopefully some it to their own backyard), how to be kind, and confident, and good to the earth and all that live on this beautiful planet.

So irrational fear 1,331...t-ball. Yes, that's right, t-ball. Why in the heck, might you ask, are you worried about t-ball?? I have asked myself that same question many times. On the one hand I am so excited for my son's new adventure. He is super cute about it, can't quite catch a ball too well yet but raring to go nonetheless. It's not that I don't want him to participate in this new chapter of childhood...it's the interruption, er introduction of something new into our "schedule" that scares me. In my mind it's a slippery slope.

Children at large these days are getting overbooked. Yet, studies have shown time and time again, that free play outdoors it not only beneficial but crucial for mental and physical wellbeing. In theory children should have multiple hours a day to play outdoors. In an adult's mind "play" it is a frivolous thing. Yet when applied to the development of a child, it is far from it. When children play, especially when they play outdoors, they actually develop new pathways in their brains. The benefits of free play outdoors are talked about in this education article from Berkley is you'd like to read more. This is just one of many articles out there all pointing to the same thing. To raise a healthy child, let them play, outside, everyday, for as long as they can.

So back to t-ball. It's not that t-ball is bad. Not in anyway. It's t-ball practices and games, on top of school days, on top of swim lessons, on top of appointments, and errands, and soon homework, and other activities yet to be determined. How do you let your kids immerse themselves in day to day must-dos without sacrificing their time to wander, explore, and just be?

I don't think I will be able to answer that question fully in this post but I wanted to pitch the topic and see if I can get any responses. Have you dealt with this so-called struggle for balance? And if so, did you win?

When I expressed this fear to my husband he just looked at me as if I was nuts. Maybe I am a little, but I think my overarching fear is somewhat warranted. Is t-ball the beginning of the end for us, okay probably not. But it is the start of something and I would like to keep living with intention. My intention is to keep my kids schedule as free as possible so they can be kids as long as they can. So although I am going to be an enthusiastic t-ball mom soon I am still going nervous for all that lies ahead. I want to spend our nights wading in the low tide, our days wandering through the woods, and keep our lives geared towards random adventures and independent play.

So, t-ball here we come is what I will proclaim out loud while at the same time quietly whispering to myself, "t-ball you won't take us down".

Vent over. For now. Until worry 1332 comes along. Until then...long live unscheduled days and free play for all. Because in the end childhood is over in the blink of an eye. Let's let them hold onto that magic as long as they can. As crazy as it sounds I won't give in, because in my heart I know it's worth the fight.