My kids do not care about nature and animals

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op here. I love nature, but I hate all exercises including hiking. I like the smell of grass, soil, wood and I don't mind smell of animals. We don't have pet at home but I am used to having pet growing up like hamster, rabbit, chicken, turtle, bird etc but no cats or dogs.

I am not a big fan of all sorts of flower, and my kids have pollen allergy anyways. I am interested in leaf but I hate all kinds of bugs or insects. I live star gazing, study weather pattern, reading map etc growing up. I am a hobby artists so I love painting landscape.

Life has been hectic, I am exhausted and have not done much with my kids with the things I mention above. I still have passion, but busy work and housework and taking care of 2 kids under 6 are exhausting. I remember my dream job was to work at zoo or aquarium or study soil when I was little. I thought my kids would be like me, just a bit disappointed. DH only wants to stay home every weekend.

I find it weird that you claim to love nature yet hate so many parts of it. To me, walking and hiking (and gardening) are the easiest and cheapest ways to be in nature and benefit from the lowered stress levels. I would much rather go for a long walk or hike than pay $20 to see a bunch of animals in cages.

Maybe your kids would enjoy a nice long walk or hike?

[Anonymous]

^ Also, what is wrong with your DH. Is he addicted to his screens?

[Anonymous]

As a pet owning, nature loving, birding hobbyist, insect appreciating, gardener and daily hiker I have to say most of these responses are too judgmental. Op, you are just fine and your kids are fine. They should know all things have their place in the ecosystem but they don't have to show interest or love if they don't care to. Give them a house plant to care for if you really want but don't worry about this anymore.

[Anonymous]

Take them to a local creek & let them wade & throw rocks in the creek. Get them a magnifying glass. Expose them to nature in some of the other low key ways mentioned above. It doesn’t need to be stressful for you. Most kids will enjoy nature & the outdoors if given the chance. And for those who say “who cares?,” time outdoors & in nature is beneficial for all of us, including being good for our mental health.

[Anonymous]

Spend time outside each day
Nature scavenger hunts or bingo (find suggestions online)
Seek app helps you identify different species of plants and animals and fungi etc and has some contests
Junior Ranger programs at national parks (can start low key at the ones in DC and get more into wilderness)
Model engagement in nature, leaving cell phones at home sometimes
Screen free on school days so there's more incentive to play outside
Kids nature magazines like nat Geo Kids
Observe animals in a park together, like squirrels or birds

In general, show appreciation for animals and nature yourself but try to be low key about it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As a pet owning, nature loving, birding hobbyist, insect appreciating, gardener and daily hiker I have to say most of these responses are too judgmental. Op, you are just fine and your kids are fine. They should know all things have their place in the ecosystem but they don't have to show interest or love if they don't care to. Give them a house plant to care for if you really want but don't worry about this anymore.

I was going to suggest a houseplant. Maybe each a little succulent, or your could plant up a couple of easy terrariums with them. What about taking them somewhere like Longwood Gardens where they can be exposed to nature but not part of nature if that makes sense. Beach and tidepool walks can be fun. But you can't force it or they will reject it.