The day began beautifully — clear skies, birds calling, laughter spilling across the park. Then, as we started our Wild Gully session, the clouds rolled in. The first few drops made tiny dark circles in the dirt.
I watched as the children lifted their faces to the sky, arms outstretched. But a few adults hesitated, glancing at their watches, their towels, their plans. I heard someone murmur, “Maybe we should go.”
And in that tiny moment, I saw it — the tug between what we think childhood should look like and what it actually is.
The Myth of the “Perfect Day”
We grow up believing that good memories come from perfect days. The sun shining, clothes clean, hair brushed. But the truth? The memories our children carry in their hearts are almost never the tidy ones. They’re the messy, spontaneous, joy-filled moments that sneak up when we stop trying to control everything.
Somewhere along the way, we’ve been taught that good parenting looks organised — that we must plan, prepare, and polish every experience. We book lessons, pack snacks, and measure our days in achievements. But childhood isn’t an event to manage; it’s a life to feel.
When we let go of perfection, we give children — and ourselves — permission to simply be.
Why Presence Matters
When that rain began to fall harder, one mum sat down right in the mud beside her daughter. She hesitated, then laughed — a real, from-the-belly laugh that made every child turn to look. And just like that, everyone joined in.
We stomped. We splashed. We built rivers and boats and small worlds.
That afternoon, no one left dry — but everyone left connected.
There’s something sacred about shared moments like that. When adults stop directing and start joining, children feel seen. When we stop worrying about mess, we start noticing the sparkle in their eyes.
Research backs this up: shared play strengthens attachment and emotional regulation. Time outdoors lowers cortisol levels, improves mood, and builds resilience in both children and adults. But even without the science, you can feel the difference. The way laughter comes easier. The way patience returns. The way connection happens without forcing it.
When to Let Go
So when should we let go of perfection?
When plans fall apart. The day you forget the water bottle or it starts raining — those are the days that become stories.
When they take the lead. Let them guide you. Their curiosity is the compass.
When you feel overwhelmed. Step outside. Breathe. Presence isn’t about more time — it’s about deeper time.
You don’t need a Pinterest-worthy plan, matching raincoats, or blue skies. You just need to say yes — yes to being there, yes to the moment, yes to letting go.
How to Be Present (Even When It’s Hard)
Presence takes practice, especially in a world that rewards productivity. Here are a few gentle ways to begin:
1. Leave your phone behind. The world won’t fall apart if you disconnect for 30 minutes.
2. Follow your child’s lead. If they stop to watch ants, crouch down with them.
3. Use all five (or even 8) senses. Feel the texture of bark. Listen to the rustle of leaves. Smell the earth after rain.
4. Let go of the clock. Just notice what happens when you stop hurrying.
5. Celebrate the mess. Mud washes off. Memories don’t.
So many of us carry guilt that we’re not “doing enough.” We worry our children are missing out unless we fill their days with lessons, routines, and structure. But what they crave most is you. Your attention. Your laughter. Your willingness to be silly and soaked and free with them.
And it doesn’t take hours. Thirty minutes outside can slow the whole world down — grounding anxious minds, refilling tired hearts, and reminding both of you what truly matters.
The Wild Gully Way
At Wild Gully, that’s what we create. Not perfect days, but real ones. The kind where mud becomes magic, raindrops become music, and presence becomes connection.
We see it every week — the moment a parent realises they can let go. The moment a child looks up, covered in mud and wonder, and says, “Look what I made.”
That’s what nature play is all about. Not just for children — for us, too.
Forget perfection. Choose presence.
Join us at Wild Gully Therapy & Nature Play — where memories grow wild.
Reflection:
When was the last time you played in the rain? What would it take to say yes next time instead of “maybe later”?
