Before we set off, we had agreed in advance that the trip should have a certain level of comfort to make it a good trip for everyone. All shelters were booked from home. Our first stop of five was in Kolding, where we found a spacious shelter with two entrances and a covered terrace. There was also an outdoor kitchen close by. Although it may sound cumbersome, it quickly became our new normal. For example, when we later came across places with hot water, we were happy that we didn't have to boil the dishwater on trangia.
The children brought fishing nets and from the terrace hundreds of tadpoles were caught and carefully studied. The subsequent shelters varied in comfort and all had something different to offer. However, we customized the trip according to our needs, which made the trip good for all of us.
From screen to forest... almost
July was wet, but that didn't stop us. We went on small excursions in our rain gear, but there were days with a lot of rain where we were challenged to entertain the children. Especially Edith, aged 3, found it challenging as she thrives on plenty of space and may need individual attention or a quiet moment to herself. The situation would challenge any family with children, and even more so for us as Sebastian is in pain. At one point we feared we would have to go home, but then we made a decision that we would take more overnight stays in the last place, as changing also required a lot of energy from everyone.
Sometimes we need to be challenged in order to see new paths.
We had set out to be mobile-free while the kids were awake, but three times on the trip we had to turn on a movie to get a break. I am in no way ashamed that we had to resort to the cell phone, because it was for the good of everyone and gave a break from the conflicts. I'm so glad we adjusted because it still had a positive effect on us when we were (almost) screen-free for two weeks with the kids.
What we took away from the mobile-free time was:
- Sebastian and I paid much more attention to the kids and little golden moments.
- We became aware of how often the cell phone is taken out of the pocket and how much it's just a habit.
- We went home with the desire to change our habits.
Experiences and activities
At each shelter we were in a scenic area that was varied and exciting to explore. I found shelters with playgrounds nearby. In Kolding, Ribe and Fredericia there are large playgrounds where we spent half and full days - completely free! We made packed lunches and visited the parks, which were all surrounded by beautiful nature.
We visited Ertebølle Stone Age Museum, which was within walking distance of our last shelter. It's a beautiful outdoor museum where we learned about our ancestors and their survival in nature.
Recently I read a quote from the illustrator Line Jensen's daughter:
"Thank you for teaching me something, even though I don't quite know what it is yet".
As a psychologist and parent, I know that sometimes I plant little seeds that may not germinate here and now, but that I know have been put in the ground and will eventually sprout and grow.
Hope for the future
The three most important things I hope will sprout and grow in my children:
- Things take time - and that's ok. Slowness gives time for reflection and new perspectives.
- A more sustainable and minimalist view on consumption: "What do you really need?"
- Curiosity and fascination for nature, and the experience and realization that WE are nature.
The trip not only gave us amazing nature experiences, but also valuable insights and experiences that we will take with us in life.
