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Home » Play Ideas » My Nature Journal

This Was My Backyard, My Childhood

This was my backyard from when I was about 4 years old until about 14 years old.

My Backyard

Messy, dirty, barefoot. That's how I spent my childhood.

There was a "no TV during daylight hours" rule. No iPads. No apps. No screens. Just real world 3-D.

Running, sliding, moving, playing - constant motion. Riding bikes, climbing trees in flip-flops. Pretending. Real time with family.

Simple.

I can still feel the prickly oak leaves and the rough bark. From these times, I learned what I could do -- and how to be me.

 

My kids will have this. I want your kids to have this.

As a parent, I don't wish it could happen.

I make it happen.

Because . . . our house is small, the wilderness is further away, we have no backyard.

But, the parks and playgrounds of Orange County are their backyard. We find the wild spots. We build a childhood there.

And I don't care how many hours we end up spending outdoors or how far I have to drive to find it -- my kids WILL have this time to BE kids.

build a childhood

More My Nature Journal

  • Sharing My Mother's Mom-isms in Celebration of Mother's Day
  • Noguchi Gardens (California Scenario) in Costa Mesa
  • Practice 2 Simple Parenting Strategies and Never "Entertain" Your Young Kids Again
  • 10 Ways to Find New Places to Play

About Michele Whiteaker

Writer mom and nature guide promoting play and empowering families to prioritize outside time since 2008. Park information gathered through my personal experiences and provided as a FREE community resource to millions of Orange County families over the past 17 years via blog and social media. Subscribe to my FREE weekly email inspiring you with park tips and play ideas.

"The Park Lady"

My name is Michele Whiteaker and I'd love for you to think of me as your personal Play Concierge. Humbly sharing playful OC outdoor places to fit your tight budget through this unofficial and free community resource filled with time-tested recommendations from parents/caregivers like you.

More about me

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