Midwest Mimi

  • 9 Reasons Why Fresh Air and Sunshine Make Better Kids (and Happier Parents)

    Let’s be real: kids are a lot. They’re loud. They bounce off the walls. They argue with each other (and sometimes the cat). And on some days, your living room feels way too small for all those big feelings. That’s why I keep getting my kids outside—because nature does something magical for them. And for…

  • Opinion: Nature Nurtures Neurodiversity:

    A glimpse into what it really takes for us to enjoy the outdoors together. Our family is made up of at least five people — though it’s often six or more, including the extra kids who roll with us. I live with chronic illness and physical disability. My wife lives with bipolar disorder, migraines, and…

  • Learning Without Desks: How Nature Supports Our Homeschool

    We homeschool our kids, not because we think school is bad, but because we needed something more flexible, more supportive, and more aligned with our reality. We live with chronic illness, neurodivergence, and disability. That means rigid schedules and all-day classrooms don’t always work for our brains or our bodies. But learning? That’s still a…

  • 7 Weird Things my Family Always Takes camping ⛺️ 🎒

    7 Weird Things My Family Always Takes Camping Camping with a disabled mom, a bipolar wife, and three neurodivergent kids isn’t exactly light packing. Our setup might look a little unusual, but every item we bring serves a purpose. These might not be on your average camping checklist, but they help us stay regulated, connected,…

  • Real Life, Real Limits: Giving Yourself Grace Outdoors

    I’m not perfect at this. We, as a family, aren’t either. Not even close. We’ve had so many great days outside; moments of laughter, peace, and connection. But we’ve also had fights, sensory meltdowns, forgotten supplies, plans canceled by pain, and days when someone had to stay behind. Sometimes, that someone is me. I want…

  • 🌿 Seeing Nature Through My Kids’ Eyes

    I often get asked how we manage family adventures with kids of different ages, needs, and personalities. The truth is, it takes a lot of planning, patience, and flexibility. But it also takes something even more important: the way each of my kids brings their own unique strengths, quirks, and hearts into our time outdoors.…

  • 🌿 Why Kankakee River State Park Stole Our Camping Hearts (and Might Steal Yours Too) 🌿

    Earlier this spring, we packed up the circus (a.k.a. our family) and headed to Kankakee River State Park for a few days of camping. And honestly? We’d go back in a heartbeat. The Campground Vibes We camped midweek in May, which meant blessed peace and quiet. No generators humming, no kids shrieking at dawn (other…

  • 🌿 West Lake Park — A Midwest Mimi Park Review 🌿

    Some parks become part of your family’s rhythm, and for me, West Lake Park in Scott County, Iowa, has become one of those places. We’ve gone there enough times that I’ve lost count. Part of why we keep going back is that it’s clean, well-maintained, and keeps evolving. There’s a butterfly garden that’s interesting and…

  • 🌿 Lake Le-Aqua-Na State Recreation Area — A Midwest Mimi Park Review 🌿

    I’ve learned that sometimes the places that look ordinary on a map turn out to be the ones that give me the most peace. Lake Le-Aqua-Na was one of those places for us. We spent a slow, gentle afternoon there as a family. The park was green and lush, with trails winding past a little…