As a parent, you are the first teacher your child will ever have. We teach our children to walk and talk. We teach them manners and how to make friends.
Here at A Wild Lass, we value motherhood and we value personhood--who we are even when we aren’t momming. We are adventurous, and we want to teach our babies how to love adventures, too.
From their first steps, childhood is an adventure in itself. Do you want to make sure your child shares your love of adventures? Here are a few things to keep in mind.
*Disclaimer: Some of the links you see may be affiliate links. All that means is if you click through and end up making a purchase, I’ll earn a commission.
Model an Adventurous Spirit
If you want your children to become adventurous adults, you need to model it yourself. Allow your children to see you having fun, trying new things, and loving life.
Bring your children along on your adventures. Share your excitement about travel with them.
Provide New Opportunities
As much as possible, provide new opportunities for your children. Allow them to join a new sport or to try an activity outside of their comfort zone.
Your child might be an amazing pianist but really wants to try to learn how to play the trumpet. Let them try it for a few months.
There are countless opportunities virtually that your child can try from their own home.
You don’t have to travel far away to have an adventure. Visit a small town close to your home for a short weekend trip.
Look for Little Adventures
It is not always possible to drop everything and traipse off to another country on a grand adventure. As much as we might want this to happen, it is not always realistic.
This does not mean that the adventure is gone. You can still look for the little adventures that are all around you. Is there a new activity you can sign up for a one-time class with your child? What about trying a new, out of the norm recipe?
Bring your children along and include them in the process. You might fail spectacularly while attempting to cook something completely new. That is okay and part of the process.
The adventures are in the process, not the outcome.
Praise Their Efforts
When you notice your child trying something new, praise them for it. Even if they fail, it is an accomplishment that they try.
If your musically-inclined daughter tries out for the soccer team for a season, praise her! She is stepping outside her comfort zone and trying a new adventure.
Did your picky eater son try a new recipe? Praise him! That is an adventure too.
The little adventures will lead to bigger ones. Over time, with practice, this will translate to a child who loves new adventures.
Keep your praise from being tied to their accomplishments. It does not matter if they win or lose. It does not matter if they pass or fail.
What is important is that they try. Praise their efforts.
Schedule Free Play Time
It is tempting as a busy mom to schedule everything, to create lofty to-do lists, and ensure everything is planned out for efficiency. While this might work to accomplish checking off your entire to-do list, it’s probably not going to leave much room for any adventure.
What’s a mom to do? How can we allow our children (and ourselves!) time to play and be daring while handling the day to day needs of our families? We can do this by intentionally scheduling free play time for our children and margin time for ourselves.
Actually block time into your daily schedule that is unstructured but protected. For example, you can create a goal to have at least one hour per day for your children that is free. Do not schedule appointments, homework, chores, dinner, or anything in this time block. Even if the activity sounds fun like a lesson, keep this time sacred and free.
Free time is where adventure is found. When your children have chunks of time that is unplanned, they will get bored. When they are bored, their imaginations will take over.
You can provide some ideas for free play time. There are cute ideas for open ended play ideas on Pinterest. But, try to keep this time free from interference.
It is tempting to jump in when your child is whining about being bored. I get it. Allow them to work it through themselves.
Raising Adventurous Kids
Adventure is found everywhere. You do not need to plan an elaborate trip with a once in a lifetime opportunity. As fun as these trips are, adventures start at home.
Adventures can be found in your own backyard. If this is new to your family, you might have to find the opportunities first.
You can find inspiration at a thrift store or a library. Take the thrift store idea, while browsing the aisles, look for unique items. Can you come up with a story about who might have owned it? Or where the item traveled through? Start by coming up with a story on your own and continue it by asking the questions to your child.
Soon enough, your child will be coming up with ideas on their own. If your children can use their imagination and travel to different worlds in a book, they will learn how to be adventurous.
*Disclaimer: Some of the links you see may be affiliate links. All that means is if you click through and end up making a purchase, I’ll earn a commission.