Some days I’m so grateful for where I live. Today I went blueberry picking with my daughter and one of my best friends and the day was perfect. As a working mom, I often find it difficult to find fun, toddler-friendly activities outside of the house on my day off; activities that are also conducive to adult socialization with childless friends, so blueberry picking was such a treat!
We live in western Wisconsin and, while the midwest can have some dreadfully long, cold winters and hot, humid summers with pterodactyl-sized mosquitoes, it also has some seriously beautiful, rolling landscapes, amazing thunderstorms, friendly people, and delicious, natural delights. Our city has most of the usual family entertainment — clean parks, educational museums, farmers markets, a public pool — but what I love about going blueberry picking are the little things that I’m able to teach my daughter while we go and the memories we’re able to make.
A time to slow down
The vibe around fruit picking is quite different than it is with other socializing. The nature of the outting is much more calm and deliberate than, say, shopping or a lunch out. It’s an opportunity to catch up without the need to be in close proximity or to push conversation forward. It’s very important to me that my daughter be able to just be present with someone, to enjoy casual conversation, to feel free to go where the berries are growing and then to return to the group with new-found fruits. Today’s activity gave us this opportunity.
Farm to table
I love going grocery shopping with my daughter, but I definitely want her to know where her food comes from beyond the plastic carton. I think it’s wonderful that she has the opportunity to see where berries grow, eat some straight from the bush, be startled by the tartness of the under ripe ones (what a face!), and learn about the work that goes into obtaining a bucket of her favorite fruit. There are lots of these sorts of opportunities here in Wisconsin, as farm life is everywhere and agriculture is a regular part of our regional culture.
Wholesome entertainment and building traditions
Being only two years old, we don’t give our daughter a lot of screen time. We try to limit her exposure to targeted marketing and major brands and characters; we try to keep her toys educational. But we realize that the day is coming that we can no longer shield her from these things and that, before we know it, she’ll think that the latest new toy or game is way more fun than disconnecting and enjoying some family time. Until that day, however, we try to make sure that we build in plenty of fresh air activities and create some traditions that become part of her annual calendar. This was her second annual blueberry outing and I hope to see it continue.
And these are some of the many reasons why I love where we live, why I love my friends, and why I love this little journey of building a family.
-Funky Crunchy Mama
