Book Club for Busy Moms: The Call of the Wild + Free by Ainsley Arment
I initially picked up The Call of the Wild + Free by Ainsley Arment to learn more about homeschooling. My children are still very young and not in school yet, so I’m interested in looking into every path. Homeschooling, traditional school, and alternative education options all have aspects that appeal to me.
However, I found that many of the ideas in this book extend far beyond education. At its core, this book is really about raising curious, capable, engaged children. Whether your kids attend public school, homeschool, or something in between, here are the three biggest parenting takeaways I got from this book.
Main Takeaway #1: Learning in Nature
One of the strongest themes throughout this book is the value of getting children outside and connecting them with the natural world. Nature offers endless opportunities for learning, exploration, and creativity in ways that screens and structured activities simply can’t replace. In a world that becomes more digital every year, nature provides children with a chance to observe, question, imagine, and discover.
What I appreciated most was the reminder that spending time in nature doesn’t have to be an all-or-nothing lifestyle. You don’t need acres of land, a homestead, or a family that spends every weekend hiking mountains. Even small doses of nature matter. A backyard, a neighbourhood park, a walking trail, or a patch of grass can become a place of discovery for a child who is encouraged to slow down and pay attention.
Research continues to show that time outdoors supports healthy development in countless ways. It encourages imaginative play, strengthens problem-solving skills, improves coordination, and helps children build confidence through exploration.
The takeaway is simple: if we can’t give our children every outdoor experience imaginable, let’s give them something. We don’t have to be particularly athletic or outdoorsy to make nature a regular part of family life. We can start with our own backyard, follow our children’s curiosity, and allow ourselves to wander, wonder, and explore alongside them.
Main Takeaway #2: The Power of Story
Another idea that really resonated with me was the power of stories. Stories are one of the most effective ways children learn about the world. Facts and information are important, but stories help ideas come alive. They create emotional connections that make lessons memorable long after the details might otherwise be forgotten.
If you’re familiar with the Charlotte Mason style of homeschooling, this book discusses the concept of “living books”—books that engage readers through compelling narratives, rich language, and meaningful ideas. Rather than simply presenting information, these books invite children into a story and allow learning to happen naturally through connection and curiosity.
As a parent, this reminded me that building a love of reading may be one of the greatest gifts we can give our children. Children who enjoy reading gain access to an endless source of knowledge, ideas, and perspectives throughout their lives. There are so many practical ways to make stories part of family culture. Reading aloud together, listening to audiobooks in the car, visiting the library regularly, discussing books as a family, and letting children see us reading for our own enjoyment all send the message that books matter. The more we weave stories into everyday life, the more we nurture curiosity, imagination, and a lifelong love of learning.
Main Takeaway #3: Prioritizing Play
My last takeaway from the book was the reminder that play is not a distraction from learning—it is one of the primary ways children learn. Modern parenting often comes with pressure to constantly enrich, teach, and prepare our children for the future. Yet this book makes a compelling case that unstructured play is incredibly valuable. Through play, children experiment, solve problems, practice social skills, process emotions, and develop creativity. Play gives them space to explore the world on their own terms.
Young children learn best through active engagement. They need opportunities to move their bodies, manipulate objects, build things, create imaginary worlds, and interact directly with their environment. Whether it’s outdoor adventures, pretend games, sensory activities, construction projects, or simply time to entertain themselves, play provides experiences that worksheets and structured lessons often cannot.
The book encouraged me to embrace a little more spontaneity, a few more messes, and a lot more playfulness. Children thrive when they experience joy alongside the people they love. Sometimes the best thing we can do is put aside our to-do list, sit on the floor, and enter their world for a while. By protecting childhood and valuing play, we help build a strong foundation that supports future learning and growth.
Quotes from the Book:
“Let’s stop striving to be good moms by other people’s standards and start becoming the mothers our children need.”
“Wonder is the birthright of every child. It’s the natural tendency to look at the world and want to explore it. Wonder is triggered by beauty, by new discoveries, and by our imaginations. Children live in a constant state of wonder. They’re always learning, exploring, and discovering new things. Children are born with all the wonder they will ever need. Our job is not to take it away.”
“But the time we spend together as a family will root them deeply in values that matter and dreams that inspire.”
“At the heart of every child is the need for play. Play is important for creativity, learning, and interacting with peers. But it’s also the way children communicate. If we want to show our children we love them, we need to play with them. Play is the magical portal to connection.”
“If you’re waiting for someone to step in and give your child what she needs, it just might be you, Mama.”
Further Reading:
The Call of the Wild + Free by Ainsley Arment
This book left me feeling inspired to put more effort into some of the things that matter most in childhood: time outside, meaningful stories, and plenty of opportunities to play. While I may not know exactly what our family’s educational path will look like in the future, these principles feel valuable regardless of where our children learn. If you’re interested in homeschooling, alternative education, or simply creating a richer learning environment at home, I think this book has plenty of great ideas.