Nature Guardians: Rediscovery Through Our Own Children

photos by Nichole Tiexira

Our children invite us to look inward — to revisit the stories we grew from, the patterns we carry, and the love that shaped us. Every laugh, every challenge, every “best day ever” becomes a reflection: of who we were, who we are, and who we’re still becoming. Ocean State Kids exists for that journey — growing alongside the little ones who teach us how to begin again.

There’s something about gathering at Sweet Berry Farm that always feels grounding. Maybe it’s the smell of fresh flowers and apple pie, or maybe it’s just the comfort of being surrounded by familiar faces who understand what it means to raise children with intention.

We opened our Autumn Nature Guardian Meeting with a simple question — one that ended up saying a lot about who we are as parents:What’s one thing you loved doing as a child that you’ve rediscovered through your kids?

As we went around the circle, the answers poured out like snapshots of childhood — bright, messy, and full of heart. One mother shared how she’s fallen back in love with playing in the rain, letting puddles soak her jeans and laughter wash away her stress. Another talked about dusting off a real camera, rediscovering the magic of slowing down to frame a moment before clicking the shutter.

Someone mentioned imaginative play — how cardboard boxes become castles, and how, as adults, it doesn’t always come as easily as it once did. Another mother spoke about reconnecting with siblings, rediscovering the kind of friendship that feels like home. And there was a nostalgic glow in the memory of neighborhood play after dark, when the streetlights came on but no one was quite ready to go inside.

Together, these stories painted a picture of what motherhood so often gives back to us — the chance to remember who we were before the world told us to grow up.

That’s what Ocean State Kids is, really — a space that allows all of us to show up as we are, without fear or performance.

What’s Growing This Fall

Right now, we have six active groups in full swing. While our Little Rippers group dissolved in September, our roots remain strong. We’re continuing residencies with Norman Bird Sanctuary, Sweet Berry Farm, Osamequin Farm, and the Barn at the South County Land Trust — partnerships that make Ocean State Kids feel grounded, consistent, and supported.

After our summer meeting, one thing became clear: Ocean State Kids has become just as meaningful for parents as it is for children. That realization led us to expand our mission. What once focused solely on teaching has evolved into something broader, more human, and more honest:

Empowering Parents. Childhood Magic. Mothers Rising.

This shift has already inspired many of our group leaders — Jess, Marlen, Hannah, Bianca, Tara, and Kristen — to bring more parent-centered energy into their programs, creating spaces for deeper community and real, tangible support.

What’s New & Next

A few exciting updates and new resources:

🌿 The Community Closet — A shared storage space for materials, games, and tools in Middletown, RI. We’re adding a lockbox for easier access for our invested families.

🌿 Nurture The Mothers Women’s Circle — Hosted monthly by Bianca Paredes (of Nurture The Mothers), offering a safe space for mothers to connect and refill their cups.

🌿 All Access Pass — Families can now attend any group, any day of the week.

🌿 Safety Protocol — An extensive document shared at the beginning of each season to maintain consistency across all groups.

🌿 The Mother Load — Our caregiver strength class with MF Training.

🌿 WILD by Design — Led by Tara Kaine, this outdoor occupational therapy group focuses on sensory development and affirming spaces for all children.

🌿 Silver Canopy — A smaller, specialized group for children with high or low sensory needs, offering a more neurodiversity-affirming environment.

🌿 Picture Day — Our pilot session in Jamestown was a huge success, and we’re hoping to expand it next year.

🌿 Homeschool Pods — Gaining incredible traction. This initiative is taking shape beautifully, and we hope to launch it before year’s end.

Looking Toward the Horizon

And finally, the big picture — our long-term dream for Ocean State Kids. We continue to make small strides toward finding a physical home for OSK — a community center where our groups can meet, and where parents and children alike can access alternative resources for educational and therapeutic support. In the meantime, something exciting is already on the horizon: ContaKids.

ContaKids is a parent-child movement practice that strengthens connection through playful physical interaction — a kind of re-education in how to play. For many of us, getting on the ground, using our imagination, and moving with our kids doesn’t come naturally. This practice changes that.

We left the meeting that night feeling what I always hope everyone walks away with — belonging. A reminder that Ocean State Kids is growing not just as an outdoor and nature play resource, but as a movement — one that empowers parents, honors childhood magic, and celebrates the messy, beautiful work of rising together.