In this picture the boys found a few logs across a shallow body of water to cross over, back and forth. They enjoyed the challenge and the accomplishment and it was one of the activities that I deemed safe. Ironically this peaceful location caused me a lot of stress as there was quite a lot of poison oak around. How was I to let the boys love the wildness when I kept saying "not there?"
These logs were one contained area that I felt the boys were safe. I realize that in Seattle we are quite lucky that most of the places we go are free of plant dangers, even nettles only sting for a short while. Working with toddlers it is on the parents to make sure the environment is safe. As kids get a bit older they can learn to read the plant life for themselves. Stories are a wonderful way to teach about plants. For example nettles come in two pairs of leaves, with serrated edges-jaws to bite, and leaves in a teardrop shape because they may sting and bring tears to your eyes. Of course, nettles too can be eaten, as long as you crush the spines properly. A complimentary plant to know is the sword fern whose spores have been known to soothe the pain of nettles as well as banana slugs' slime which will numb it.
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