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Post by exoticimports on Aug 7, 2020 4:30:54 GMT -8
It has been a bear, this recent time, being a parent.
Self-employed, working from home, struggling to build a business and pay bills, all the while with a teen daughter at home as well.
During normal times she could play with friends, but now that's extremely limited. Her inclination is to watch YouTube rubbish while laying in bed all day. While I'm trying to work, I get extremely frustrated as a parent- I should MAKE her do something (indeed, she does have chores), but if it doesn't involve MY time, it doesn't happen. At times I feel like a failed parent, my teen wasting away watching rubbish on BoobTube.
We do get out and hike, but it's been only about once a week. And it's become increasingly difficult. Weekends I do take off, so we are active outdoors, as demonstrated by our tans. But during the week I want to scream.
So yesterday I said I'm going to do some field work, and she's going. OMG. The drama.
I explained (yet again) that sitting around isn't good for her, and BoobTube rots her brain. "All the kids do it!" I don't care. I made her come with me.
Grumpy didn't want to get out of the truck upon arrival at a clover field. I poked around with 100m of the truck, then finally told her she's coming with me. Oh, end of world.
But once out, she seemed OK. A bit mopey, a bit complaining, but OK.
Having captured a nice P glaucus, I then handed her my net, knowing full well that I then did not have net in hand!
She caught a C philodice and got excited. Then she caught an extremely fresh, fabulous monarch (ever really look at one lately?). Then chased grasshoppers and locust. She was having a ball!
She went on to catch a female P polyxenes. Spotting a fresh tiger on the clover, she handed me the net, and I captured a nice female. Then the net returned to her, and she proceeded to capture LBS.
After a while we went to check another field, and upon parking we both spotted a LARGE giant swallowtail. Now, these have only been local to us for ten years (thanks, Global Warming!) I jumped out and grabbed it. Proceeding through the field, she captured a nice polyxenes female.
The real show was the single Speyeria. In our area, they don't sit. This one did laps along the field edge over an area 200m x 30m. Back and forth, and very fast. She ran and ran and ran. Suddenly, when she was some 100m away I saw she has a massive Giant Swallowtail in the net! Unfortunately, inexperienced as she is, the net was open on top, and the swallowtail was simply hanging onto the net; she attempted to throw the end of the net bag up and over, but that prompted the swallowtail to depart. She did not capture the Speyeria, but it did give her a good workout!
In the end, she greatly enjoyed it. Despite all the early complaints, she embraced the field work.
Next time, I'll bring two nets. And stupid me, I'll take a photo to remember a time enjoying my daughter and the outdoors, and a break from reality.
Chuck
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Post by trehopr1 on Aug 7, 2020 10:02:36 GMT -8
A most enjoyable read indeed ! One only needs to engage children with an activity which gets them out of the cycle of "lounge around" whilst looking at their "hand held computer with the phone app". There may be grumbles along the way but, I believe they will appreciate it and "remember the experience" far more than anything "the cycle" they are accustomed to may offer them.
Another suggestion you might try is sugaring for moths. I know from some of your comments regarding Catocala that they are not your thing. However, the "experience" of sugaring from the start (mixing up the bait) to (painting it on trees following a set course) and then (making the rounds by lantern-light to see what arrives) will also surely leave an indelible impression...
As I mentioned in a thread I have on our sister forum:
A night out sugaring is an adventure unto itself. The sounds of the forest, the humidity, the shadows, the dancing of the moths about the baited patch; the thrill of the hunt ! (tough to beat)
Of coarse, there is some "work" involved with this as opposed to just setting out a light and sheets. However, the thrill of seeing fresh Catocala and allowing the other person to actively take part in their capture and (all) during the process will reap rewards for all involved.
Best regards...
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Post by Paul K on Aug 7, 2020 11:16:14 GMT -8
A most enjoyable read indeed ! One only needs to engage children with an activity which gets them out of the cycle of "lounge around" whilst looking at their "hand held computer with the phone app". There may be grumbles along the way but, I believe they will appreciate it and "remember the experience" far more than anything "the cycle" they are accustomed to may offer them. Another suggestion you might try is sugaring for moths. I know from some of your comments regarding Catocala that they are not your thing. However, the "experience" of sugaring from the start (mixing up the bait) to (painting it on trees following a set course) and then (making the rounds by lantern-light to see what arrives) will also surely leave an indelible impression... As I mentioned in a thread I have on our sister forum: A night out sugaring is an adventure unto itself. The sounds of the forest, the humidity, the shadows, the dancing of the moths about the baited patch; the thrill of the hunt ! (tough to beat) Of coarse, there is some "work" involved with this as opposed to just setting out a light and sheets. However, the thrill of seeing fresh Catocala and allowing the other person to actively take part in their capture and (all) during the process will reap rewards for all involved. Best regards... Trehopr1 what mixture do you use for sugaring? |
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Post by LEPMAN on Aug 10, 2020 8:28:40 GMT -8
This also happens in my family where they spend their hours away on the screen. The only temporary solution was to use a program to limit internet time to only 3 hours. Over time complaints decrease and they become completely new people.
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Post by kevinkk on Aug 10, 2020 16:42:52 GMT -8
It's cold and windy at my house.
On the actual topic though- family involvement is fun, I'm the bug person, but my Dad always enjoyed the times we all went out to
look for butterflies, even on long road trips, everyone had a net.
I don't know how many times I heard the same story about "that one spot".
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Post by coloradeo on Aug 11, 2020 20:14:48 GMT -8
Thanks for sharing Chuck. I took my daughter backpacking in the mountains a few weeks ago. I always carry my segmented BioQuip net as a staff or walking stick often without the net on it. I’ve been wondering for years why they don’t sell an attachment to turn it into a hiking pole! Anyway, I too had a lot of fun handing my daughter the net while I was papering Speyeria and Boloria. She comes with me a few times a year when I take my lights out into the canyons as well Which is a real treat. This year we went for Arachnis picta together and found several. She spotted the female that has now produced about 100 picta caterpillars. Fun stuff indeed.
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