Nature Guardians: The Gentle Rebellions of Ocean State Kids

photos by Jackie Paiva

Last night was our first-ever Nature Guardian meeting: a gathering of the most passionate, invested, wildly brave parents who have shaped Ocean State Kids into what it is today.

These are the families who’ve shown up not just for their kids, but for each other.

They’ve poured into this mission with a quiet fierceness, reminding me that this space isn’t just for children—it’s for us, too.

And in classic OSK fashion, the day didn’t begin with ease. My son Otto was up at 12:30 am, and I nearly canceled the whole thing by 9:00 am. But instead, I showed up—tired, messy, and mentally rehearsing a dozen excuses—and was met with something far greater than I could’ve planned. The space at Little Gold fell into our laps like a love note from the universe. I didn’t even know the owner was one of our own OSK moms until she texted me. Serendipity in action.

I arrived disheveled, already behind, and was greeted by Sofie Sinclair, who had transformed the yogurt buffet into something sacred. The women began to trickle in. Some with breast pumps tucked under sweaters. Some with less sleep than I had. All of them carried both invisible and visible loads—and still, they showed up.

When it came time to start the meeting, I chose the seat I didn’t want. 

Too visible. Too "in charge." And for anyone who knows me, you know I never want to be on a pedestal. I’ve never felt like I led this journey—I’ve just let go, again and again, creating space for others to rise. The group leaders, the parents, the stories—they’re the soul of this movement.

Then…Sam Sweet (super mom mother of three) read a reflection that shifted the energy in the room. It wasn’t about programming or logistics—it was about how OSK changed the trajectory of her family’s life. And just like that, everything softened. The meeting became what it was always meant to be: connection, vision, belonging.

We heard from Group Leaders who have built entire ecosystems of support—who’ve set the foundation not just for children to learn, but for parents to find themselves again. I always say there are no rules… except to keep showing up. And in doing so, individual group leaders have created spaces where parents with secret talents—artists, educators, therapists, scientists, athletes—are invited to step forward to co-create something meaningful.

That was my biggest realization.

This room wasn’t just filled with moms. It was filled with brilliant women who’ve hit pause on their careers to be present. And through OSK, they’ve found a reason to press play again—in a new way, on their own terms.

Ocean State Kids is for both parents and children.

It’s a sanctuary. And as we step into this next chapter, I know now more than ever—our children aren’t the only ones wild by design. We are, too. The mothers. The ones building, breaking molds, and dreaming this thing into existence.

Like I said—here’s to the wild ones.

To the gentle rebellions.

To the mothers rewriting the story,

and coming home to the roots that never stopped calling.