I'm a firm believer that one must truly know and love something in order to be believe strongly enough to protect, save and heal it. This philosophy guides the way we parent in so many different areas, and certainly our feelings and beliefs about the Earth are at the top of that. I truly want for my children to love and know the world around them, and as a byproduct, I know (and have already seen) that a sense of caring for it will evolve. I don't want to flood them with doom and gloom of the state of the world, but rather, mindfully give them information as they are ready - as they age, and as emotions mature. I think they know a lot about the state of things, but more than that, they really quite simply are in love with - and still getting to know - the Earth around them. I do think most children are...
So yesterday we celebrated Earth Day in a way that is similar to many days around here, I think - part action, part education, and a whole lot of living, loving and growing in the woods.
Their day ended with their first camp out under the stars. They prepared excitedly for it all afternoon - gathering everything they needed and playing out there. And when it was time for bed, they marveled at the mysteries in the dark around them, read a book by headlamp, and fell asleep.
We carried them in after that, because Mama has this silly little rule about sleeping outside without a tent when it's only 35 degrees and there's still snow on the ground.
But I do agree that Earth Day is, indeed, a wonderful night for dreaming under the stars. I'm glad there was some dreaming...
