In a recent interview, Laura Bruner, a progressive parenting advocate, expounded on her philosophy of allowing children to get dirty and explore the world around them. Her mantra of ‘let them get dirty’ serves as a reminder to parents to surrender to the mess of childhood exploration, encouraging a hands-on learning experience that’s full of adventure and growth.
Parenting with Grace
Bruner believes that a certain degree of surrender is vital for graceful parenthood. She shared the benefits that her six-year-old daughter has enjoyed from attending a forest school. Despite coming home filthy after four hours daily of outdoor exploration, Bruner views the dirt as an indicator of healthy learning and engagement with nature.
The Mental and Physical Health Benefits
The positive impact of such nature-focused experiences extends beyond the apparent learning outcomes. It taps into the mental health component of a child’s development. Bruner explained that activities like climbing trees and engaging with the dirt promote a healthy mental state, validated by scientific findings.
Moreover, the physical health benefits of such engagements are significant. Bruner mentioned that her daughter is not only building physical strength but also actively boosting her immune system. Playing in the dirt assists in strengthening the microbiome, with 70% of our immune system residing in our gut. It also aids in developing tolerance towards local allergens.
Striking the Balance
Though fond of a tidy house, Bruner conceded that finding the balance between maintaining cleanliness and letting her children explore can be challenging. She encourages her kids to embrace dirt and adventure outside, cleaning up at the end of the day. This philosophy also extends to her, emphasizing the importance of parents partaking in outdoor activities and absorbing the benefits of nature.
The Power of Nature for Mental Health
Bruner spoke passionately about the power of nature in enhancing mental health. She noted that her stress levels significantly decrease when she steps outside into nature. The surrounding greenery and tranquility help her disconnect from the never-ending ‘to-do’ list that constantly weighs her down. She believes that this benefit applies to children as well, helping them detach from indoor stressors and engage more meaningfully with the world around them.
The Memorable Travel Experience
When asked about her favorite travel memory, Bruner shared a touching recollection from a trip to New Mexico when her daughter was around 20 months old. They had parked their van in a remote campsite in the Oregon Mountains. Following a huge storm, they emerged from their van to encounter the most incredible smell of fresh earth and a striking double rainbow. Despite her daughter’s young age, Bruner believes that such core memories will stick with her on some level, further emphasizing the importance of these nature-filled experiences.
In conclusion, Bruner’s approach to parenting underscores the importance of stepping outside, getting dirty, and immersing oneself in nature. The mental, physical, and emotional benefits of such a philosophy appear invaluable, not just for children, but for parents too.
This interview was part of an exclusive 1-1 interview with Laura that will
be featured on Stress Free Family Vacations, to attend for free https://relaxationplanner.com/stress-free-family-vacations/.
To learn more from Laura Brunner check out https://www.modernmamaspodcast.com/
