Nebraskaland

July 2026 • Nebraskaland 17 Places like Nebraska state parks or local nature areas make this easy because there's already so much to notice. The goal isn't to make them experts, it's to help them feel like they understand what's around them. That's what replaces fear with confidence. My daughter has been going outside with me since the first week she was born and, seven years later, I can see how nature confident she's become. She picks up snakes on trails, avoids plants she doesn't know, and understands her limits when climbing trees. She still looks to me for advice on some things, but at this point, I'm more of a guide than a protector. Watching her explore, problem-solve and take careful risks on her own is one of the most rewarding parts of being a parent — and it all started with simply stepping outside together. Give Them Freedom (Even If It Makes You Nervous) It's hard not to hover, especially when you know all the things that could go wrong. But confidence doesn't come from everything going perfectly. It comes from trying, adjusting and realizing, "I can handle this." Let them climb the slightly-too-high rock, even if it takes a few tries to find the right foothold. Let them figure out how to cross a shallow stream, testing which rocks are steady and which ones wobble. Let them wander a little ahead on the trail (within reason), so they can feel what it's like to lead instead of follow. Those small moments of independence matter. They're where problem-solving starts to click. Where balance improves. Where decision-making begins to feel natural instead of scary. And yes, sometimes it means scraped knees, wet socks or taking longer than you planned. But it also means raising kids who trust themselves — who aren't afraid to explore, try again and keep going, even when something feels just a little bit hard. You Don't Need All the Answers One of the best things you can do is admit when you don't know something. "What kind of bird is that?" "I'm not sure, what do you notice about it?" That back and forth builds more curiosity than having a perfect answer. It shows kids that not knowing isn't a dead end — it's a starting point. And it gives them permission to wonder out loud, make guesses and even be wrong without feeling shut down. It also changes your role. You're no longer the one leading with all the answers. Instead, you're exploring together. And that shared discovery is often what is most memorable and meaningful for both of you. Make the Outdoors a Part of Your Life, Not a Big Event The biggest shift happens when being outside isn't a big "special trip." It's just something you do. A quick walk after dinner. Ten minutes in the yard. A weekend stop somewhere familiar. In Nebraska, the landscape changes constantly. Go to the same spot in spring, summer, fall and winter, and it will be completely different every time. Kids start to notice those changes, and that's when they really begin to connect. Why This Is All Worth It When kids feel comfortable outside, everything changes. They're more willing to explore, they become more observant and just more confident in general. And maybe most importantly, they start to care about the animals, the land, the seasons — everything that makes Nebraska what it is. You're not just raising kids who can handle the outdoors. You're raising kids who feel like they belong in it. They learn that the outdoors isn't something to avoid — it's something to be a part of. The author's daughter explores a rocky hill she climbed. MONICA MACOUBRIE Families at a Homeschool Hike at Schramm Park State Recreation Area. JENNY NGUYEN-WHEATLEY, NEBRASKALAND

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