One of the things that made moving from So Cal to Wisconsin easier was my relentless pursuit of new parks and lakes to explore. I’d open Google Maps, find a green or blue patch I hadn’t been to before then I’d be off! All I had to do was bring a snack, some water, and some poop bags for Gjalla. Now with a 2-year-old and a 4-month-old, exploring is a lot harder.

Lately I’ve been feeling pressure by the ephemeral good weather and the plethora of “Summer Bucket Lists” I come across. When the weekend rolls around, I think to myself, “We should go somewhere new today.” However, the sheer effort that goes into these trips is daunting:

There’s packing a diaper bag for both kids, timing the event around nap schedules, getting the kids loaded into the car, and ultimately, the stress of hoping to avoid a toddler tantrum or newborn crying fit mid-journey.

Fortunately, what I realized this weekend was how incredibly lucky I am. I have a nice backyard, toys to keep my kids entertained, friendly neighbors with dogs or with kids the same age, and ample space to run around and play.

Just look at this kid’s face!

So starting today I’ve given myself permission to ignore those Summer Bucket Lists. There’s always next summer, and exploring with a 3-year-old and a 1-year-old will be a teeny bit easier (I hope).

The most important thing isn’t ticking boxes off a list someone else has made, it’s giving my kids a chance to play and explore and grow.

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