A longing for something else
Everyday life in Hjallerup sometimes felt heavy and routine with two small twins and full-time work. And later a little brother to the pack of siblings.
It was the same practical chores and the same routines day after day.
– But that must be the way it is, Søren remembers thinking.
But he also felt a longing for something else.
He missed nature, which had always meant a lot to him.
A few years before, he had completed training as an outdoor instructor, but now everyday life and family life had crept up on him.
And he had difficulty seeing how the two things could be reconciled.
Because all around him, he could see how other families with small children had plans from morning to night.
– It dawned on me how little needed to happen when we were outside together. A calm fell over the whole family. Nobody had to be entertained, we were just together, says Søren Thomsen. Photo: Lars Pauli
But in the end the longing became too great.
– I started researching how I could create a breather in everyday life. And then I bought a shelter and started making a little fire again, which I had done a lot once.
It was really just for himself.
But then something happened.
The children wanted to go out when dad went out.
And suddenly what was supposed to be Søren’s free space disappeared.
But Søren didn’t care. On the contrary.
Because the hours together outside felt different. Easier.
– It dawned on me how little needed to happen when we were outside together. A calm fell over the whole family. No one was to be entertained, we were just together.
– We started cooking on a fire and carving wooden figures, and I taught them how to split firewood. But the children also spent much of the time playing together. Their imagination came into play in a completely new way, and there were suddenly far fewer conflicts, says Søren.
In nature, Søren Thomsen feels a greater presence with his children, because they are not disturbed by practical tasks and obligations. Photo: Lars Pauli
Søren would almost go as far as to say that it became easier to be a parent after the family started spending more time together outside.
– I suddenly felt how my own values became a much larger part of my parenting. I found that I didn’t have to be like everyone else, I could be myself. It was really a relief, says Søren.
He had otherwise imagined how he would spend weekend after weekend in amusement parks and playgrounds.
Søren smiles again.
And then he talks about how the good times in the garden began to develop into longer trips with overnight stays.
Photo: Lars Pauli
In nature, Søren feels a greater presence with his children, because they are not disturbed by everyday practical chores and obligations.
– It is so clear to feel that when we cook our dinner outside by the fire, it is just much cozier. Regardless of whether we are grilling sausages and bread again, or whether we are simply reheating leftovers from the day before.
Søren has no doubt at all that nature has given the family the greatest moments together.
And today, at any time, they would all rather go to a shelter than to an amusement park.
– We often talk about the time we saw a golden eagle in Lille Vildmose, or the time we slept outside in a snowstorm. These experiences require so little, but have meant so much to our family, he says.
Nature must not become another prestige project
Outdoor life doesn’t have to be fussy at all, Søren asserts.
It’s one of his biggest passions.
He wants to inspire others to take their children out into nature.
He does this, among other things, on his Instagram profile nordjysk_friluftsliv, where he shares his own experiences as a father of young children and as a teacher in a kindergarten, where nature is also an important focal point.
– Something has happened in our society, we have created an everyday life where we are always so busy. It’s all so hectic, both for children and adults. I think nature is a good answer to that, says Søren and continues:
– And we have the most fantastic nature in our part of the country.
When Søren Thomsen’s children were three years old, they could split firewood themselves. It has always been important for him to show his children trust. Photo: Lars Pauli
Today, he has over 22,000 followers who diligently follow when he posts videos and pictures on Instagram.
– I can feel that there is a great interest in learning about how to use nature with your children. Many would like to, but they think it seems unmanageable.
– Many parents have not been introduced to nature themselves, so they don’t quite know how to approach it. That’s why it’s easier to just go to Fårup Sommerland.
Therefore, Søren would like to say that it requires far less than you might think.
– You can start by going to the park or the forest. The important thing is to pick up the pace and get down to children’s height. Maybe you find a frog you can pick up and talk about, or you can look at leaves or beetles. It can be that simple.
– I think many will experience how liberating it is if you stop rushing, but just be. At least I can clearly feel it on my kids as soon as I’m stressed or we have too many plans. Then there are far more conflicts.
– I am convinced that if I can now introduce as many children as possible to nature, they will also learn to care for it. Because we can’t like something we don’t know about, says Søren Thomsen. Photo: Lars Pauli
In general, Søren believes that we as parents should be better at remembering that children in particular need slowness, especially if many things happen in everyday life.
Then we adults don’t have to organize a whole lot to entertain them in their spare time.
The most important thing is just that we are there. And we are present.
– I think it is important that we teach our children to feel the silence and listen to nature. Walk in a puddle, balance on a slippery log, sense a swarmer crawling up your arm, or go out into the rough terrain instead of the trail. Small concrete experiences that make the children more secure and connected to nature, says Søren.
Therefore, it is also rare that he plans a whole lot of activities with his own children or the children in the kindergarten when they are out.
– Time in nature must not become another prestige project.
– We must lower the ambitions. Bring hot cocoa in a thermos and chat with your kids in front of a crackling fire. Or sit in silence and cut a piece of wood. I don’t think there is anything better for our nervous system, says Søren.
And then he encourages that you let the children play by themselves.
– There is an important lesson in children being allowed to explore the world on their own. Today we have an urge to be very protective because we are afraid they will get hurt. But children must be allowed to test limits, even if they fight. It is an important part of their development.
For Søren, as a child, nature has become a kind of mission.
– I am convinced that if I can now introduce as many children as possible to nature, they will also learn to care for it. Because we can’t like something we don’t know about.
Therefore, together with a friend, Ole Henrik Hansen, who is a professor of early childhood education, he is writing a book about how professionals can use nature as an educational tool.
2024-11-23 14:44:00
#Søren #snowed #children #shelter #wild #decision
and the beauty of nature, to appreciate the simple things in life. It is through these experiences that they will develop a sense of responsibility and care for the environment, which will ultimately shape them into conscientious adults.
Søren emphasizes that introducing children to the outdoors doesn’t have to be complicated. It’s about creating moments and memories that can foster their curiosity and connection to nature. He encourages parents to embrace spontaneity and simplicity—sometimes the most delightful adventures are those that are unplanned.
– Even just sitting quietly by a stream, observing the world around us, can spark their imagination. It’s not always about action and excitement; sometimes, it’s in the stillness that the most significant learning takes place, he shares.
Being a father himself, Søren is acutely aware of the challenges faced by modern families. He is not merely an advocate for outdoor play; he is also a testament to the benefits of spending time in nature, both personally and for his children. He reflects on how these experiences not only enrich their lives but also strengthen their family bond.
– Nature has a way of bringing us together. Whether we’re building a campfire or simply hiking a trail, we are creating shared experiences that I believe my children will cherish for a lifetime, he notes.
In a world filled with distractions and digital noise, Søren Thomsen’s mission to reconnect families with nature serves as a refreshing reminder of the value of simplicity and presence. By championing the beauty of the great outdoors, he hopes to inspire a generation of children who grow up with respect and love for the environment.
