Let them be messy

A friend of mine came over this morning with her three kids, who all happen to be almost the same ages as my three. Six kids, two moms. So much potential for chaos and for fun. Sometimes you just strike gold with the perfect combination of kids, sleep, weather, and activities, and today was all of those. Our kids played perfectly, mostly because we just let them be kids.

We spent a little time inside getting any and all of our toys out before the request was made to go outside and catch bugs. (Most certainly not a request from one of my kids) So on went six pairs of shoes and out we went.

First came the ever popular water spigot and mud kitchen (which had to be passed on deck on their way down to the yard) and then came the bugs and dirt. Shoes came off, fingers and toes got dirty and everyone was happy.

While one kid napped, two kids played with water, three played in the dirt, and the moms had coffee and chatted. We talked about how easy kids can be when you let them be kids. If we micro-manage their activities, try to keep them on our agenda, or even just try to keep them clean it can become a battle of willpower and a lot of times it’s just not worth the battle. (A primary reason my kids are usually in miss-matched clothes)

Hands and toes can be washed. Clothes will dry. Letting kids learn and explore on their own is worth all the laundry and extra dirt. Partly because it’s less that I have to do to entertain them and also because there are many things they can’t learn from me. Nothing replaces that feeling of getting dirt between your toes no matter how old you are. (And let’s be honest, I’m not going to the one to teach my kids about bugs)

Before we knew it, it was time to clean up and say our goodbyes. We honestly could have spent the whole day out there, but it got hot and it was time for lunch.

I saw this re-posted on Instagram this week and couldn’t help but re-share it here.

“Children don’t need more toys, they need more adventures” -Sarah Mueller

Some days the best thing we can do for our kids is let them dig in the dirt and get messy.