Teaching Children to be Flexible Minded Can Be an Adventure

Plans were made and it was going to be the perfect day! A friend and I planned an adventure with our toddlers to a local swimming pool. However, the stomach bug got in the way of our original Plan A. This was the time to practice being flexible minded. 

Moving on to Plan B

Now, we all know that even the best-laid plans can go astray. And to be honest, my plan was more of an optimistic, wing-it escapade. As we moved along to Plan B, we ate breakfast, unpacked our swimsuits from summer, loaded the pool bag with the essentials, and made it out of the house (which is a feat all in itself). The pool website status was open, so we were good to go! 

We arrived at the pool excited and ready, only to discover open swimming wasn’t available during the morning hours. No problem, I knew of another pool in the area! Checked online, only more thoroughly, learning from my previous mistake, that there was indeed open swimming available.  

✅ Pool Open

✅Morning open swimming available

✅Moving along to Plan C

The kids took the news like champs, knowing that we were still going swimming, just at a different pool. 

We drove across town, and arrived at the pool, only to discover that the spa pool was closed for repair. Yikes, should have called! I created Plan D on the fly.  I explained to the kids that we wouldn’t be able to swim today, but that we could still go on a different adventure! They were cool with that because they know adventures mean both fun and freedom. 

Bare feet in crocs aren’t the best choice for outdoor winter adventures.  Unfortunately, the car emergency bag only had mittens! So we got creative and put the mittens on their feet, tucking the thumb fingers under the arches. Hey, at least they were learning to be resourceful.😉

Flexibility Saved the Day

The kids took the lead, and we found ourselves exploring a small, empty, community college campus. My kiddos love the freedom they get on adventures because typically they lead and I follow, thoroughly enjoying the role reversal. 

We ventured into the hammock lounge, which lacked hammocks due to the winter season, but the kids had a blast running in circles and counting the hooks instead.  We leaped over ditches full of puddles, climbed picnic tables, and contributed to building a hawk nest in the gazebo. The cherry blossoms were just beginning to bloom, so we took the opportunity to explore their texture of the petals and breathe in their sweet smell.  We practiced being quiet as we searched inside on a restroom hunt. We identified wasp nests and poison ivy vines climbing the trees discussing why we need to be aware and avoid them.

As we strolled, we noticed how freezing rainwater makes the sidewalks crack as we hopped from one crack to the next, glancing back at our wet footprints. We marveled at the texture of the moss clinging to the front of the steps, learning about its need for both dampness and lack of sunlight to thrive. 

A personal highlight of the trip was watching my toddlers help the landscape workers pick up fallen sticks from the storm the night before. The three of us raced around trees, collecting sticks and loaded them on the back of the worker’s golf cart. This space in time allowed my children the opportunity to serve others and gain a better understanding that they’re never too young to put a smile on someone’s face and make a difference. My 4-year-old was so filled with purpose and joy in helping that he didn’t want to leave.  

Reflection

Looking back on our impromptu adventure, you wouldn’t see any single moment out of the ordinary, but when strung together there was an abundance of joy in being present, naturally learning along the way, and making the best out of unexpected circumstances.

Yes, it would have been significantly easier to turn around and go home, however, I promised my children an adventure. My expectation for my children as they grow is to stay true to their word. What better way to do so than allowing them to experience these moments of adaptability day in and out? 

While our pool plans may have been a bust, my children had the opportunity to practice being flexible when life doesn’t go as planned and work through disappointment. They learned that joy can always be found in embracing a different plan.

Moreover, there was an unexpected bonus: we ended up saving $20 bucks on pool admission, and we all soaked in some sweet Vitamin D from the sun. Sometimes, the unplanned adventures turn out to be the most memorable and fulfilling ones.

Life Lessons:

This experience taught us the value of adaptability and the beauty of embracing the unexpected. It showed my children that life is full of twists and turns, and that it’s not about the specific outcome, but rather about the joy and growth we find along the journey.

As parents, we often strive to create perfect plans and predictable experiences for our children. However, it’s important to remember that it’s in the midst of unplanned adventures that true resilience and creativity can be practiced and flourish. By teaching our children to be flexible and find joy in Plan B-Z, we equip them with invaluable life skills that will serve them well in the face of future challenges.

So, the next time your plans go astray, embrace the opportunity for an unplanned adventure. Whether it’s exploring a nearby park, visiting a museum, or simply taking a different route home, encourage your children to see the beauty in screwed up plans. Who knows what delightful surprises and cherished memories await you on your unplanned journey?

And remember…Some of the BEST memories are the ones you almost missed out on.

☔If you enjoyed this post, check out Tips for Building Strong Sibling Relationships and Some of the Best Memories are the ones you almost missed out on!⛱️