Book Review: There’s No Such Thing as Bad Weather by Linda Åkeson McGurk
In an era of increasing technological advances aimed at entertainment, it can be difficult to encourage children to spend their free time outdoors rather than inside. This frustration is discussed in Linda Åkeson McGurk’s book, There’s No Such Thing as Bad Weather. McGurk describes the challenges she has faced raising her children in the American Midwest, contrasting this experience to her own upbringing in Sweden. The author recounts the ways in which she grew up and combines these anecdotes with scientific data and research to demonstrate the vast differences in the manner in which children interact with nature in each country.
In Sweden, it is not uncommon for children to sleep outside in the cold weather — in fact, this is even encouraged by physicians to provide infants with a source of fresh air. McGurk publicizes the Scandinavian philosophy of “there is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothes,” questioning whether this could be the key to better lives for American children. Embarking on a six-month journey in Sweden with her children, the author investigates the differences in Scandinavian and American upbringing practices such as this. How is the relationship between a child and the natural world changed by their upbringing? Does this affect the health and confidence of children as they grow?
Linda Åkeson McGurk will be visiting Polarn O. Pyret’s Tribeca store on October 26 at 4 pm to share her secrets for getting kids outside in all types of weather, including how to dress and how the Scandinavian philosophy of friluftsliv (“free air life”) can help raise happy, healthy, and confident children. The event is free and open to the public.
For similar resources, we recommend checking out McGurk’s blog, “Rain or Shine Mamma,” as well as the following books:
Balanced and Barefoot: How Unrestricted Outdoor Play Makes for Strong, Confident, and Capable Children by Angela J. Hanscom
How to Raise a Wild Child: The Art and Science of Falling in Love with Nature by Scott D. Sampson
Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children From Nature-Deficit Disorder by Richard Louv
A Year of Forest School: Outdoor Play and Skill-building Fun for Every Season by Jane Worrol
