Filed under: A Bit Of Inspiration, Attitude & Aptitude, Authenticity, Childhood, Comment, Family, Fatherhood, Happiness, Innocence, Jill, London, My Fatherhood, Otis
So we swapped living next to the beach in LA to living next to a park in London … and because of that, we spend a huge amount of our time there … hanging out while he goes off to explore.
Watching him is awesome.
The way he throws his entire energy and enthusiasm into everything.
From the swings and slides to the way he interacts with the other kids … bonding over nothing but the fact they’re around the same age and want to play.
Recently I caught him at the top of the slide with a couple of kids he had just met.
They weren’t talking.
They were just staring.
At a leaf …
Sure it didn’t last a long time, but for a moment, that single leaf held the attention and wonder of 3 kids …studying its shape, it’s colour and guessing which tree it had fallen from.
No electronics.
No lights.
No sounds.
Just nature showing she still has it … exemplified by Otis looking at it like I look at gadgets.
Long may that continue.
Thank you park.
22 Comments
What a great photo. Nice to see Otis holds court just like his Dad.
Comment by Pete November 20, 2018 @ 6:30 amThough his Dad isn’t impressed with nature as much as he is with wifi.
Comment by Pete November 20, 2018 @ 6:31 amSo true Pete. Creating gangs seems to be in the Campbell DNA.
Comment by George November 20, 2018 @ 7:35 amJust what London needs, more gangs.
Comment by Pete November 20, 2018 @ 8:00 amI think my gangs are pretty different to other gangs. Unless you provoke us, then we’re a nightmare.
Comment by Rob November 20, 2018 @ 8:49 amNotorious M.E.H – straight outta complimentary upgrade.
Comment by John November 20, 2018 @ 10:38 amLovely. As part of my work I’ve recently read about the benefits of playing and learning outdoors, it’s so so important to development.
Comment by Rob (Other one) November 20, 2018 @ 6:37 amAlso just experienced this by taking my little one camping for the first time!
Well said Rob. Outdoors is a fantastic place for children to learn and for families to connect and bond.
Comment by Mary Bryant November 20, 2018 @ 6:55 amOtis is such a beautiful little boy. He has gone through a lot of change in such a short time and has dealt with it like a little champion. I know you and Jill have managed all his transitions very carefully and this photo shows he is embracing the new experiences with a happy and open mind. A lovely photo to end my day. Thank you Otis.
Comment by Mary Bryant November 20, 2018 @ 6:54 amMary said it best.
Comment by George November 20, 2018 @ 7:36 amHe is Mary … a little legend. All from his Mum, obviously.
Comment by Rob November 20, 2018 @ 8:49 amI’m glad you know the truth Rob.
Comment by DH November 20, 2018 @ 7:15 pmNature is a wonderful playground. That you have given Otis the opportunity to live next to a beach and a park is an amazing gift. So happy to see you all using it so much.
Comment by George November 20, 2018 @ 7:40 amWell LA was by judgement. London was by luck. But I appreciate the privilege we have and hopefully one day, so will Otis.
Comment by Rob November 20, 2018 @ 8:50 amI know I always loved playing in the woods when I was a little boy. Still do.
Comment by Up In Your Business November 20, 2018 @ 11:25 amComment by Niko November 20, 2018 @ 12:48 pm
I adore Otis. I adore your family.
Comment by Marcus November 20, 2018 @ 4:45 pmOtis is brilliant. He also ensures no one says anything nasty about you on any post he appears in. You’re cunning Campbell, very cunning.
Comment by DH November 20, 2018 @ 7:19 pmotis liking nature is a bigger kick in the fucking teeth to his dad than him becoming an accountant. youre a fucking good kid otis. keep it up.
Comment by andy@cynic November 20, 2018 @ 8:52 pmother options to piss him off.
Comment by andy@cynic November 20, 2018 @ 8:53 pmvicar. private school headmaster. wpp ceo. antique dealer.
Data strategist or a smiths fan will also work.
Comment by DH November 20, 2018 @ 9:38 pm[…] my beloved Otis starting proper school – which literally is screwing with my head – to the […]
Pingback by Till Next Year … | The Musings Of An Opinionated Sod [Help Me Grow!] December 14, 2018 @ 6:15 am