A great day on the NZ coast

[Miriam Skipworth]

Well, what a great day!
After an animated discussion by all this morning, we decided to go for a beach mission. Finn was reluctant to leave his new game (Age of Empires) but when he realized he could play it anytime but we could not go on this weekend mission with Dad anytime, he was happy to come. We drove to the coast of Golden Bay not far fromhttp://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/national-parks/abel-tas... Abel Tasman National Park and parked at the top of a crumbly cliff. Sienna challenged herself and made it down the slippery path on her own, she was very self satisfied(-: We rock hopped along smooth sculpted boulders until we found rock pools exposed by the low tide. Small black fish, hermit crabs, chiton, kina (sea urchins) and wonderful crabs with seaweed growing on their backs were hiding amongst the Neptunes-necklaces. We continued to fossick and found see-through shrimps and baby star-fish. Further around the coastline we rock climbed amongst the outcrops and explored possible blue penguin nest-holes. We found guano and downy chick feathers. Sienna found a wooden horse happy to give her a ride while Finn collected colored glass, tumbled by the sea. Around the next headland we stumbled upon a cave still wet and dripping from the tide. Dad lead the way in and we were surprised to find it sweet smelling and recently cleaned by the waves. Small ferns clung to the ceiling around the entrance and a solitary spiders web spun a crane fly in the breeze. Gannets skimmed the wave tips and oyster catchers eyed us suspiciously like hunched old men. On our return, Mike found an old piece of fabric which Sienna wore as a poncho against the wind as we dodged the waves of the incoming tide. Once on the clear sand again, Mike dragged a stick which the kids chased while I drew pictures in the sand up ahead for them to visit. A black piwakawaka (fantail) chirped goodbye and snipped gnats from around our heads. A wonderful end to a wonder-filled day(-:

Above-Sienna riding her horse. Below-An upturned rock revealing it's treasures.

[Miriam Skipworth]

For me the challenge is to find something outdoors and available that is more interesting to my son than his game.I love the outdoors and do struggle with his lack of enthusiasm in walking around our bush property for example. However I do keep in mind that my partner was into computers from the time they were invented and now thanks to his knowledge he can stay at home and work and support me in being an unschooling Mum! I believe that having a respect for the natural world is gift I want to give to my kids, interestingly I think my son has gained most of this respect not from being in nature but from watching David Attenborough! My challenge is to be interested in my sons games and then because we have a friendship he may be more inclined to join me outdoors? Ah.. that sounds like manipulation or something! I just have to work harder is all! Actually on of my issues is that he doesn't get enough exercise, and this doesn't need to be fixed by being outside. He loves to dance and put on circus shows and be silly in our living room, so I guess it's just me as usual who has the idea he needs to go out to stay fit! Sorry bit of a ramble!
xm

[Linda Barlow]

Sounds like a fabulous day! And well done for managing to persuade your son to part from Age of Empires- that is always a problem for me! That is where my unschooling principles are weak- I believe being outdoors learning about nature is more important than playing a screen based game, and find it difficult to persuade my son the same thing! And I want to persuade him, which is wrong , I know!!