14．If you are a Wet Blanket （a person who doesn't enjoy himself/herself and thus prevents others from enjoying themselves） when it comes to nature and your kid，you are most likely a caring，protective parent who wants to keep your child safe and sound．You may be so determined to protect your kid from dirt，sunburn，or scratches （划伤） that you try to avoid the outdoors．Or you may just find muddy clothes and sandy toes require too much time to wash．Perhaps you hate to get dirty yourself．The natural world may just make you nervous and you might worry those bugs （虫子） and hats will suck you dry．It may be that you just never got the chance to be outdoors when you were a kid and now know nothing about what to do with your kid．
While it is every care-giver's job to protect their kid，your worries may cause your child to grow up as a Wet Blanket as well．If you prefer the indoors yourself，you may be keeping your kid from outdoor experiences without even realizing it．Your attitudes about nature have a huge influence on how comfortable your kid feels outside．You may need to go against your own nature and"open the door to get your kid outside!"
You may already realize the value in helping kids spend time outside in nature and know that playing in nature settings helps children grow up mentally．Perhaps you already introduce your child to nature through books，museums，and zoos．Maybe you just need some ideas of what to do with kids outside．Try some simple nature activities with your kid，or sign up for nature programs to develop your skills．While it may be a challenge for you to overcome your own nervousness about nature，you can raise a child who is happy and confident in the natural world．
One of the easiest ways you can get your kid outside is to become a Door Opener．Even if you don't enjoy playing on the mud，you can lake breath and let loose!Undirected time to explore nature is an important part of raising a caring kid．This might be free time in the backyard，allowing him to wander ahead on a walk or simply providing him with materials for a project．Putting aside your own nervousness and providing"in-the-wings"support will enrich your child's journey as a nature lover!Belt out a song （引吭高歌），build a snowman，watch the clouds，or plant a seed with your child．Help your child connect his creative side with nature．
| To avoid becoming a Wet Blanket |
| Your reasons for preventing kids from enjoying themselves | •To （81）protect/keep your kids away from dirt，sunburn and so on．
•Not wanting to spend too much time （82）washing muddy clothes and sandy toes．
•Being worried about bugs and bats．
•Not knowing what to do with your children outside since you yourself haven't such experiences before． |
A huge and bad
（83）influence/effect on kids | Kids will crow up as Wet Blankets too． |
| Ways of raising a happy and confident child in the natural world | •Realizing the value of helping your kid enjoy nature．
•Overcoming your own （84）nervousness about nature．
•Allowing him to wander ahead on a walk or simply providing him with materials for a project．
•Letting your child outside to fed nature as much as possible．
•Trying some simple nature（85）activities outside with your child，such as belting out a song，building a snowman，watch the clouds，etc． |
