Introduction

In a recent episode of The Wand(HER)wild podcast, Monica, founder of Wanderwild Family Retreats and host of the Wand(HER)wild Podcast, offers a refreshing and honest look into her family’s spring season — a season marked by both chaos and deep connection. Through her reflections, she shares how embracing imperfection and leaning into simple outdoor activities can create profound magic for busy families.

A Home Full of Life (and Noise)

During a recent visit from her sister and brother-in-law, Monica realized just how different her family’s everyday life has become compared to others. With two young children, an elderly dog needing extra care, and the ever-present spring flu making its rounds, her home was bustling, messy, and full of unpredictable moments.

Instead of seeing this as a sign of disorder or failure, Monica reframed it: this is what she once dreamed of — a house full of noise, life, and love. Years ago, when she and her husband first moved into their two-story home in Norway, she had longed for the sounds of children’s footsteps, laughter, and commotion. Today, that dream is her reality — beautifully imperfect and alive.

Her message to listeners and readers is simple but powerful: A chaotic home does not mean you are doing it wrong. It often means you are living right in the heart of the life you once wished for.

Small Outdoor Moments That Make a Big Impact

As spring blooms across Norway, Monica’s family has been finding grounding and connection by stepping outside — often in small, easy ways that fit into their busy rhythm.

Here are the four outdoor activities Monica highlighted for families looking to embrace the season without adding extra stress:

1. Taking Meals Outside

One of the simplest ways Monica’s family is celebrating the longer days is by bringing meals outdoors. Whether it's a full breakfast picnic on the patio or an impromptu afternoon snack on a blanket in the yard, eating outside turns an ordinary moment into a special family memory.

2. Campfire Gathering

Setting up small backyard campfires has become a family favorite. Even as temperatures slowly warm, gathering around a fire offers a cozy place to lounge, read, play, or simply watch the flames dance. It creates a natural pause that draws everyone closer together.

3. Nature Nests for Reading and Music

Monica shared how her family builds “nests” of blankets and pillows outdoors where they read, journal, and listen to music. Sometimes her young children draw pictures inside Monica’s journals, creating a living collage of memories layered with personal notes, reflections, and crayon masterpieces.

This simple practice fosters creativity, presence, and togetherness without needing screens or structured activities.

4. Adventure Walks and Nature Art

Walks through nearby forests and trails have become a weekend ritual. Instead of focusing on distance or difficulty, Monica’s family embraces exploration — collecting fallen leaves, colorful rocks, and wildflowers (always with permission) to create springtime nature collages and painted rock art back at home.

These unhurried outings allow her children to connect with the Earth and with their own imaginations.

Living in Tune With the Season

One of the most heartfelt takeaways from Monica’s recent reflections is her reminder that life unfolds in seasons, much like the natural world.

There are seasons of building. Seasons of waiting. Seasons of noise. Seasons of quiet.

Rather than resist the current season — full of spilled food, scattered toys, and interrupted nights — Monica encourages mothers to lean into it. To see the love pulsing through the chaos. To recognize that this noisy, vibrant moment won’t last forever, but it will be remembered.

Through her personal lens, Monica offers a gentle reassurance: the magic you’re seeking is already here — even if it’s hidden under a pile of unfolded laundry or behind a long day with tired little ones.

Continuing the Conversation

For families looking to deepen their connection with nature and each other this year, Monica also shared a few exciting offerings from Wanderwild Family Retreats:

🌱 Summer Family Retreats: Limited spots are available for the July 10–13 gathering in nature, designed for mothers and children to experience earth-to-table meals, sound healing, cacao circles, and intentional time together.

🌿 Private Family Retreats: Monica and her team are now planning custom retreats for groups of eight or more, perfect for extended families, close-knit friends, or multigenerational gatherings seeking mindful and transformative travel experiences.

🎧 New Podcast Episodes: Recent episodes explore topics like cycle syncing, intuitive living, and seasonal rhythms — helping mothers live more consciously and connected.

Final Thoughts

This spring, Monica reminds us that the perfect family moment doesn’t come from expensive trips or flawless homes. It’s born in the small choices: to eat breakfast outside, to light a fire and linger longer, to walk through the woods without a destination.

Through the chaos, through the noise — there is magic.

And it’s waiting just outside the front door.

A Call to Mothers Seeking More

If this conversation resonates with you, we invite you to become part of the Wand(HER)wild community—a space where we explore self-development and mindful motherhood together.

Join the Movement

If this story resonates with you, we invite you to explore more. Visit our free resources, upcoming digital events, in person family retreats, and follow us on Substack or follow us on Instagram for conversations on self-healing and intentional living. Let’s walk this path together.