How Outdoor Activities Strengthen Family Bonds

Step into spring with a renewed appreciation for the outdoors! Discover how spending time outside with your kids can improve your physical health, enhance your mental well-being, and boost your overall happiness.

As the weather warms up and flowers bloom, it’s the perfect time to head outside and enjoy the great outdoors – especially with your kids. Whether you’re playing frisbee at the park or taking a hike in the woods, spending time in nature offers a multitude of benefits for both your physical and mental well-being. When you’re co-parenting, it’s crucial to make the most of your time with your kids to keep those family bonds strong.

Read on to learn more about the benefits of spending more time outdoors, along with some activities you can put on your to-do list. However, we know that sometimes when you’re co-parenting, navigating parenting time can be challenging, so we also have some suggestions for handling those situations.

5 Reasons to Enjoy the Great Outdoors This Spring 

Spending time outdoors offers numerous benefits for both physical and mental well-being. Research shows that when you head outside, you feel more relaxed, at ease and focused, especially when you pause to take in all the sights and smells. 

Whether you’re taking a hike or going kayaking, here are five key advantages of communing with Mother Nature: 

1. Enjoy improved physical health: Outdoor activities like walking, hiking, or playing sports provide exercise that can improve cardiovascular health, strengthen muscles, and boost your immunity.

2. Enjoy enhanced mental health: Being in nature can reduce feelings of stress, anxiety, and depression. Heading outdoors can also improve mood and increase feelings of happiness and well-being.

3. Boost your Vitamin D levels: Sunlight exposure helps the body produce vitamin D, which is essential for bone health, immune function, and overall health.

4. Get better sleep: Exposure to natural light and physical activity outdoors can help regulate your body’s internal clock, leading to better sleep patterns and improved overall sleep quality.

5. Experience increased creativity and focus: When you spend time in nature, you’ll notice enhanced creativity, problem-solving skills, and focus, particularly in children.

8 Outdoor Activities to Enjoy With Your Kids

Try one or more of these fun outdoor activities for you and your family to enjoy together in spring:

Nature hikes: Explore local trails to discover wildlife, plants, and beautiful scenery. Hiking promotes physical activity and allows for meaningful conversations, fostering a deeper bond between you and kids.

Picnics in the park: Pack a snack or lunch and enjoy a picnic in a nearby park. It’s a simple yet effective way to create lasting memories and enjoy quality time together in a relaxed setting.

Bike rides: Go for a family bike ride through your neighborhood or local bike paths. Cycling is not only great exercise, but also a fun way to explore new places and enjoy the fresh air together.

Outdoor sports: Play a friendly game of soccer, basketball, or frisbee at your favorite local park. Sports help build teamwork skills, boost confidence, and provide a fun way to stay active with your children.

Gardening: Start a small garden in your backyard or on a balcony. Gardening teaches kids about responsibility, patience, and the importance of caring for living things, all while enjoying time outdoors.

Nature scavenger hunt: Create a list of items for kids to find in nature, such as different types of leaves, rocks, or flowers. This activity encourages observation skills and a deeper appreciation for the environment.

Outdoor art: Set up an outdoor art station with paper, paints, and brushes. Let your kids get creative with nature-inspired art projects, encouraging their self-expression.

Campouts: Whether in your backyard or at a local campground, a family campout is a memorable experience. Roasting marshmallows, telling stories around the campfire, and sleeping under the stars create lasting bonds and cherished memories for years to come.

By engaging in these outdoor activities, you and your kids can strengthen your relationship, create positive memories, and enjoy the many benefits of spending quality time together in nature.

Navigating Parenting Time Issues When You Live in New Jersey

While many people co-parent successfully for long periods of time, there are times when you might struggle or have a conflict around parenting time. The attorneys at Smedley Law Group can evaluate your case to determine the best course of action to benefit your children and your family.

Oftentimes after a parenting plan has been established, it’s necessary to modify it, whether due to a job change, relocation within the state, issues relating to one or more parents, change in schools, or any one of 100 other possibilities. When that happens, the existing order needs to be modified. Our experienced attorneys can work with you to understand your current situation, whether you’re the parent seeking the change or opposing it with an eye toward achieving your desired outcome, taking into consideration your individual circumstances.

You should know that in every case involving parenting time, visitation, and child custody, the baseline standard for dividing time rests on what is in your child’s best interests. That “best interests” standard can vary dramatically from family to family.

The factors that will be considered in deciding parenting time include:

• The child’s preferences (depending upon their age and ability to weigh in)
• Whether the parents have the ability to cooperate
• Any history of domestic violence
• The child’s relationships with siblings
• The child’s needs, including education and stability of each parent’s home
• The safety of each parent’s home
• The parents’ respective work schedules
• The location of each parent, in terms of proximity to each other and the child’s school, activities, and so on
• Childcare availability and needs
• The relationship between parent and child prior to any separation.

Q: What happens if my child’s other parent isn’t letting me see my child in accordance with our parenting time schedule?

We can file a motion with the court to enforce the order. Then, the judge will schedule a hearing to consider the circumstances of your co-parent’s noncompliance. The court might order the custodial parent to pay your attorneys’ fees and can even impose financial penalties. In other cases, the court might order a new parenting time order — and can even give the non-custodial parent physical custody in extreme cases.

Q: What happens if my child’s other parent and I can’t reach an agreement about how to share our parenting time?

In short, the court will decide. If the court becomes involved, the judge usually requires expert opinions to help determine what’s in the child’s best interests. Often, each parent hires their own expert who’s qualified to evaluate the situation. Sometimes the parents might agree to share one expert and respect the results.

Once the evaluations have been reviewed, the parents can reevaluate — and maybe reach an agreement — at this point. Otherwise, the matter will proceed to trial.

In these situations, the skill and expertise of your Smedley Law Group attorney lawyer can be critical to reach a favorable outcome. Our lawyers are always here to help, so don’t hesitate to call if you want to explore your options.

Get the Right Family Law Attorney On Your Side Today for Parenting Time Issues

Many parents find it difficult to communicate with their child’s other parent. Despite this, New Jersey courts recognize the importance of both parents maintaining a relationship with their child — regardless of who has physical or legal custody. The court has the authority to order a fair division of parenting time between custodial and non-custodial parents.

In many cases, these plans are far less flexible than an agreement we can help you reach with your co-parent. To learn more about how our experienced parenting time lawyers can help, contact Smedley Law Group today to schedule a consultation. 

Contact the Experienced Family Law Attorneys at Smedley Law Group For Guidance About Parenting Time or Child Custody

We’ve often seen relationships between co-parents quickly become hostile. Our child custody lawyers want to help you and your co-parent reach an amicable solution that prioritizes your children’s interests. At Smedley Law Group, our child custody attorneys will advocate for you and your family every step of the way. Call us at (856) 251-0800 or fill out our confidential contact form to schedule a consultation. We have an office conveniently located at 750 Cooper Street, Woodbury, NJ 08096.

The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you’re seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.