Come to the Forest, Cure What Ails You

Off we go, to the woods, hand in hand through the land...

It is no secret to parents that we often feel stressed, isolated and lonely.

For “stay at home” parents and homeschoolers, the experience of burnout and disconnect can be especially intense.

Mamas and daddies are physically and mentally tapped out.  Conditioned by the pandemic, we may have limited access to or comfort with asking for support.  We see another adult and blurt out all the things we’ve kept in during child-only time.  We collapse at the end of the day to read, indulge in the screen and eat carbs or ice cream.  And rather than waking up early with intention, we wait to wake when our children do so that we can eek out every moment of sleep.

At Forest Pals, we create meaningful connections -- for parents and children -- that offer an antidote to this epidemic.  Parents and caregivers do the work of getting our families to the forest, and then we REST.  We rest in nature, in our village, in the rhythm of our gatherings, in the songs and the seasons, in the company of caring peers.

It’s not easy!  To get out of the house in the morning with all the children and the rain gear and snacks and boots and bug spray and…. Friend, it is NOT easy.  But it IS life-saving. 

We save ourselves and each other — we share our light — when we commit to joining this community in the woods.

There are many wonderful groups like Forest Pals which offer parents and families a space for connection and well-being.  To find one near you, start by attending offerings at your local library.

Further reading and resources:

The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos: Reducing the Stress of Parenting with Dr. Vivek Murphy 

The Science of Well-Being for Parents Excellent resources for parents based on the latest research about raising happier kids—and being a happier parent.