“At the beach, life is different. Time doesn’t move hour to hour but mood to moment. We live by the currents, plan by the tides, and follow the sun.” - Sandy Gingras
For as long as I can remember I’ve always been drawn to the beach. Each year my family would make a summer trip to the coast and spend a week by the ocean. It’s was the best week out of the entire year. I was always a big observer. I didn’t necessarily love going out deep into the ocean and fighting with the waves, instead I liked to stay back on the sand and read a book while soaking in the sun.
Since moving to a beach town my, now our, love for the beach has only grown. It went from being a once a year vacation spot to our everyday life. Isla has always loved anything relating to water and Elliot doesn’t know a life any different than weekends and evenings at the beach covered in sand.
Everything feels so much lighter and happier when you’re by the water, it’s a real effect called “Blue Mind” and we feel it so much living in Charleston. Our babies thrive when they’re exploring the beach and sorting through the shells they’ve diligently collected. We use the beach as a major teaching tool, especially since we plan to homeschool in the near future. Emotional, physical, and cognitive development can all be touched on with just a simple trip to the ocean. Every single time we go to the beach, the kids (more so Isla right now) learns something new. A few weeks ago she learned, on her own, how to spot where sand dollars had burrowed into the sand. She would dig them up and gently place them back into the ocean. Before that she learned about starfish and to identify whether or not they were still alive and how they can regenerate an entire new body just from their single arm. You should see how her face glows when she finds a special shell, she even has her own shell collecting bag. Elliot even took his firsts steps at the beach! I honestly feel like essentially learning how to walk on the sand has helped him with his balance so much.
The beach offers our kids a safe space to express themselves freely and release pent-up energy. The rhythmic sound of waves and vast open space can have a calming effect, reducing stress and anxiety in both toddlers and parents. We always try to go to the Folly Beach State Park to make sure we have more than enough room to explore and let the kids run around without having to worry about other people. The shells and shark teeth are also amazing there! Another one of our favorites is Beachwalker Park on Kiawah Island, the beach is beyond beautiful and Freshfields Village is right down the road. Even when the weather is on the colder side we still bundle up and like to spend time on the beach, sometimes it’s even nicer than a warm summer day because it’s mostly empty and so relaxing.
I know that it can feel overwhelming thinking about taking your baby/toddler to the beach, let alone two of them, but it truly is an experience that can nurture their little souls in the best of ways.
In the next few weeks I plan to share all of my tips and tricks for making those beach days with babies and toddlers just a little bit easier. What to pack, what to leave at home, and everything in between. Be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss out! Also be sure to follow along on Instagram so you don't miss all the little moments and daily recommendations.
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