Berry Picking With a Toddler in Tow

Pictures of Hencle's Berry Patch are soon to come, but I just wanted to get down some "lessons learned" about berry picking with a toddler - specifically one that will be turning 2 (terrific twos!) at the end of this month.

Lesson #1: Don't assume your toddler will be enthralled by Nature (aka sweeping vistas over a sun-soaked berry farm + ripe, bursting berries + pleasant humming of bees/birds/tractors) just because YOU are.

Lesson #2: Your toddler will turn a G-rated family outing into an R-rated "happening" with her exhibitionist-style rejection of clothing (PG-13 for "partial" nudity only).  (Now, no one is saying nudity on a farm is a bad thing - just be prepared for it to occur.)

Lesson #3: Said naked child will (because, of course, you are in the middle of potty training) insist on "going potty" but will appear appalled when you ask her to squat in the grass.

Lesson #4: Said naked, squatting child will quickly GET OVER her reluctance to squat in a berry patch and will happily get her lady parts RIGHT DOWN IN THERE on top of weeds, bits of grass and bark, hay, bugs, smushed berries, etc.

Lesson #5: Don't expect to pick berries at your usual efficient pace unless you have AT LEAST a 3:1 adult to child ratio.

Lesson #6: You know "the end is near" when your toddler starts REQUESTING a "time out" and "more time out, please" in order to be "all done" with berry picking.

Lesson #7: Fresh U-Pick berries will still taste the best despite (or perhaps because of) all the trials and tribulations you have endured in order to acquire said berries.  And the 2-lb jar of local honey made by bees drunk on berry juice pollen doesn't hurt either.