Linda McGurk

Journalist & Author

  • Home
  • About
  • Contact
  • Book
  • Writing
  • Publicity

About

Linda Åkeson McGurk is a Swedish-American freelance journalist, author and blogger.

Linda McGurk, author of There's No Such Thing as Bad Weather

A nature lover and mother of two daughters, she believes that the best childhood memories are created outside, while jumping in puddles, digging in dirt, catching bugs, and climbing trees. McGurk is a regular contributor to Outdoor Families Magazine, and her writings about natural parenting, outdoor play and green living have appeared in a wide range of publications and online outlets, including Time.com, Parents.com, Green Child Magazine, Mother Nature Network, The Green Mama, Childhood 101, Preschool Inspirations and the Children and Nature Network. In 2013, she started the blog Rain or Shine Mamma to inspire outdoor play and adventure every day, regardless of the weather. There’s No Such Thing as Bad Weather, a parenting memoir about raising healthy, resilient and confident children the Scandinavian way, is her first book.

 

 

 

Save

Save

Save

BUY THE BOOK

There's No Such Thing as Bad Weather by Linda Åkeson McGurk

“A perfect antidote to the hyper-vigilant, extra-electrified, standardized-tested, house-arrested, 21st-century childhood.” —Richard Louv, bestselling author of LAST CHILD IN THE WOODS and VITAMIN N

"Smart, friendly and Swedish. Packed with sane ideas that will get your children outside, independent, and filled with the joy of living. This book will open your eyes—or maybe tempt you to move to Sweden. Now: Go outside and play!"
—Heather Shumaker, author of IT'S OK NOT TO SHARE and IT'S OK TO GO UP THE SLIDE

"I could not put this book down! Linda McGurk not only offers a fresh perspective about parenting and outdoor play from a Scandinavian viewpoint, but she is a fabulous storyteller and will hook you on the first page.”
—Angela Hanscom, author of BALANCED AND BAREFOOT

Recent Tweets

  • @SusanNewmanPhD May 15, 2019

    Too many #children are not getting out and playing outside.@rainshinemamma on why that's a problem: susannewmanphd.com/blog/2019/01/1…

  • @TrekkieKristen May 4, 2019

    This blog, @rainshinemamma, is not only interesting, this particular article cites an article published by two of m… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

  • @SusanNewmanPhD May 4, 2019

    If you note your child becoming glued to her phone or his iPad, model Scandinavian #parenting: send your #children… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

Latest on Facebook

Rain or Shine Mamma

4 days ago

Rain or Shine Mamma
This sounds like a fun challenge! ... See MoreSee Less

Earth Day Challenge • RUN WILD MY CHILD

runwildmychild.com

Introducing our first Earth Day Challenge! This 8-day mini-challenge will help busy parents make easy (but impactful) eco-friendly changes.
View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

Rain or Shine Mamma

5 days ago

Rain or Shine Mamma
Have you ever tried to raise butterflies? We’ve done it a couple times and my kids loved it!😍🦋 ... See MoreSee Less

How to Raise Butterflies | Fireflies and Mud Pies

www.firefliesandmudpies.com

Learn how to attract butterflies to your garden, how to set up a caterpillar habitat, how to raise butterflies, and how to release butterflies.
View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

Rain or Shine Mamma

2 weeks ago

Rain or Shine Mamma
Can you spot the Easter bunny?🐰😁Easter Bunny Tree...Photo: Becks Phillips ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

Rain or Shine Mamma

3 weeks ago

Rain or Shine Mamma
To be perfectly clear, this is NOT how Nordic people do laundry! Also, NOT dressed for the weather...😂 Happy Saturday, peeps! ... See MoreSee Less

How Nordic people do the laundry

www.youtube.com

Yes this is exactly how we do the laundry in the Northern Scandinavia. I've been asked to do a tutorial for a long time, so here you go ;) ♥► MY SOCIAL MEDIA...

Video

View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

Rain or Shine Mamma

1 month ago

Rain or Shine Mamma
Have you read any of these parenting books?🌿 ... See MoreSee Less

6 Books That Have Influenced This Free-Range Parent

www.treehugger.com

These parenting books influenced the author's approach to raising kids. They focus on outdoor play, minimizing technology, and building resilience.
View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

Latest on Instagram

rainorshinemamma

Linda Åkeson McGurk
I have the deepest respect for people who snowboar I have the deepest respect for people who snowboard.🏂 I tried it once and vowed to never do it again. One bad fall and my tailbone hurt for two months😩 My girls, on the other hand, have enjoyed snowboarding off and on for a few years, taking some classes and starting to understand the basics. But during this trip  they both got so beat up I think they might be done for a while, if not forever😳 
To all the snowboarders out there, how do you do it? How did you push through the initial phase of constantly hurting yourself badly?🤕
______________________
#theresnosuchthingasbadweather #rainorshinemamma #snowboarding #snowboarders #snowboardgirl #snowbording #optoutside #outsideeveryday #1000hoursoutside
Sven and his pals stopped by our house this mornin Sven and his pals stopped by our house this morning😁🦌 
__________________________
#theresnosuchthingasbadweather #rainorshinemamma #reindeer #sven #härjedalen #skitrip
The bird whisperer🦆🐧 Where I see common pige The bird whisperer🦆🐧 Where I see common pigeons, ducks and seagulls, this girl sees wonders of the natural world and stops dead in her tracks from amazement🌿 May you never lose your sense of wonder❤️
__________________________
#theresnosuchthingasbadweather #rainorshinemamma #optoutside #outsideeveryday #outsideisfree #birdsofinstagram #birdlover #sweden
I used to laugh at my sister @susannelund1 when sh I used to laugh at my sister @susannelund1 when she’d make her mandatory tree hugging stops during our walks in the woods. Now I know better🌿

Research shows that when we touch a tree, it thinks it’s being attacked by a woodpecker or insects, and releases photoncides in self defense. These phytoncides are good for us, as they activate cells in our immune system that protect against disease🙏🏻

I personally also think that leaning into a tree is calming. What do you think, is tree hugging for you?
__________________________
#theresnosuchthingasbadweather #rainorshinemamma #friluftsliv #treehuggers #treehugging #sundaywalk #sundayfunday #forestbathing #naturetherapy #forestlovers #forestmagic #foresttherapy
Never underestimate the power of tinkering💪🏻 Never underestimate the power of tinkering💪🏻 More often than not, children’s learning processes are directed by adults, but in my experience some of the most teachable moments happen in the space in between. The times when a child gets so absorbed by something that they completely lose track of time and space. The times when you can see the fire in their eyes and nurture it simply by quietly standing back and letting them create🌱

My youngest wild child had a moment like that over the weekend. She had gotten the idea in her head that she wanted a skateboard and wasn’t impressed when I suggested we borrowed one, so she could try it out before we buy one🛹 (Her attention span for new hobbies averages right around two weeks, so I wasn’t going to run to the skateboard store first thing...😅) 

Nope. This girl decided to make her own. Using a hand saw, wrench and screwdriver, she transformed a leftover piece of particle board and the wheels of her roller skates into a functional skateboard. Watching her put it together was amazing. It took her about half a day of tenacity, passion and total reliance on the process of trial and error, but in the end she had created something unique with her own hands. Now she’s learning how to ride it, although I know she already learned plenty from the construction process❤️
________________________________
#theresnosuchthingasbadweather #rainorshinemamma #freetolearn #tinkering #selfdirectedlearning #selfdirectededucation #outdoorchildhood #skateboard #diyskateboard #skatelife #skategirl
“Those who dwell among the beauties and mysterie “Those who dwell among the beauties and mysteries of the earth are never alone or weary of life.”🌿

~ Rachel Carson 
________________________________
#theresnosuchthingasbadweather #rainorshinemamma #runwildmychild #wildchild #1000hoursoutside #optoutside #outdoorfamilies #friluftsliv #livelifeoutside
As with all things in life, our nature connection As with all things in life, our nature connection is constantly in a state of evolution. Ten years ago, this girl spent most of her outdoor time asleep in her stroller, soothed by the sounds of whispering leaves and secretive crickets🦗 

Then she started toddling and conquered the woods in our backyard, where fallen logs set off challenging balancing acts and each and every rock in the creek was a beacon of adventure💦

Over the years, she's become quite the adventurer, rarely balking at a challenge. Last year, she summited the highest point in Sweden south of the Arctic Circle and I couldn't have been any prouder🏔

These days, she very much finds her own way and chooses when and how to engage with nature. She doesn't always want to come with me and that's OK. It only makes the times when she does all the more special❤️ 
____________________________
#theresnosuchthingasbadweather #rainorshinemamma #friluftsliv #optoutside #wildandfree #outsideeveryday #seasonsoflife
Do you think outdoor cooking seems difficult or ju Do you think outdoor cooking seems difficult or just a lot of work? I challenge you to try some of the dishes that I make😃 Simplicity is my guiding star when it comes to cooking pretty much any day but even more so when I’m doing it over an open fire. 
This creamy potato soup was the perfect dish for a cold, blustery day by the lake. Check my Reels for the recipe!🙌🏻
__________________________
#theresnosuchthingasbadweather #rainorshinemamma #friluftsliv #1000hoursoutside #outdoorcooking #campfirecooking #dutchoven
Once you free yourself from the idea that ideal we Once you free yourself from the idea that ideal weather is a necessity for a perfect experience, you start looking at the world with different eyes.💨

When we planned this weekend trip to the coast, I saw myself ice skating on the frozen ocean under sunny skies. Yes, with the freezing temps the past months, it’s been possible. And besides, it’s almost always sunny on the coast, so it didn’t seem like an outlandish prospect.🌞

When we got here, it was raining and almost blowing up a storm, not to mention that the ice was completely melted😩 We regrouped and went on a hike around the island instead. And it was amazing in its own right.

On a nice day in the summer, this place is completely different - beautiful but also very busy. A day like today, we really got to experience the raw energy of the water, the wind and the rugged rocks. And we had it almost all to ourselves🌊##
____________________________
#theresnosuchthingasbadweather #rainorshinemamma #optoutside #nobadweather #sweden #sweden_photolovers #swedenimages #sweden_images #smögen #smögenbryggan
It’s pretty rare that somebody has to coax me to It’s pretty rare that somebody has to coax me to go outside, but it happens. I think we all have days when we feel too tired, busy, comfortable or uninspired to get our butts off the couch and out the door.🙈When that happens, it invaluable to have somebody that cheers you on and gives you that extra push that you need. Especially if you, like me, are used to always being that person for your kids. I know @sverkerevefall is always game for outdoor adventure😊 So tell me, who can you always trust to drag you out on a rainy day?
__________________________
#theresnosuchthingasbadweather #rainorshinemamma #friluftsliv #outside #outsideeveryday #outsideisfree #1000hoursoutside #crosscountryskiing #outdoorfamilies #outdoorlife #outdoorpartner
There was a time when I never could’ve seen myse There was a time when I never could’ve seen myself living here, basically a ten-minute drive from where I grew up. I traveled the world in search of something else - anything - and saw a ton of amazing places. I put down roots in a few of them, from the mountains of Montana to the beaches of New Zealand🌍

Then I got older, priorities changed, life happened. Now I’m back where it all began. 

There are plenty of other places that are more spectacular than this. But home is where the heart is and my heart is right here❤️
_____________________________
#theresnosuchthingasbadweather #rainorshinemamma #friluftsliv #sweden #sweden_photolovers #swedenimages #sweden_images #sweden🇸🇪 #swedennature #swedenshots
Birthday party for my youngest wild child, who tur Birthday party for my youngest wild child, who turned 10 earlier this week❤️ Time flies...
__________________________
#theresnosuchthingasbadweather #rainorshinemamma #outdoorbirthdayparty #outsideisfree #outside #cookingoutside #muurikka #optoutside #outsideeveryday
It’s amazing what some sun, ice and snow can do It’s amazing what some sun, ice and snow can do to boost your mood.🌞⛸ 

As I skated across the lake today, I saw elderly couples walking, kids playing hockey, families grilling out and young people spinning around on 4-wheelers. Little kids on sleds, couples on cross-country skis and middle-aged guys ice fishing. And the the entire day, I saw nothing but smiles and high spirits.❄️

Swedes are known to seek out nature to experience solitude but days like these go to show that nature also is a great place for togetherness and community. And even in the midst of a pandemic, there’s plenty of happiness to be found under the open skies in the company of the people you love.❤️

___________________________
#theresnosuchthingasbadweather #rainorshinemamma #friluftsliv #outsideisfree #outsideisthebestside #outsideisbetter #outsideeveryday #outdoorfamilies #iceskating #1000hoursoutside #
There’s no such thing as bad weather...BUT. The There’s no such thing as bad weather...BUT. The sun does wonders for my mood, especially since we only get to see it for a few short days every month🌞 And when the sun comes out on a Saturday or Sunday and you can take full advantage of it? Bingo🙌🏻

In Sweden, living a life that centers around outdoor recreation is a simple lesson in living in the here and now. When the sun peaks out, we drop everything to go outside. When the ice on the lake is thick and smooth, ditto.⛸

Did you get to see the sun today? 
_________________________
#theresnosuchthingasbadweather #rainorshinemamma #friluftsliv #iceskating #optoutside #1000hoursoutside #outsideeveryday #sweden
Thankful for cold temps, snow and my kids, who are Thankful for cold temps, snow and my kids, who are always up for adventure❤️❄️
______________________________
#theresnosuchthingasbadweather #rainorshinemamma #winter #optoutside #skiing #skiingislife #outdoorfamilies
This can be a tough time of the year to get the ki This can be a tough time of the year to get the kids motivated to go outside. It’s often cold, dark, windy, rainy or all of the above😏 To those of you who can relate and struggle as well I just want to say: Stick to your guns!

Getting kids outside when the weather conditions aren’t perfect (and even when they are) will never be as easy as it was 30 or 40 years ago. Kids today just have many more options, most of which involve electronic media.😏 We can’t go back to how things once were, but we can still make daily outdoor time part of our family culture.

As long as we live together as a family, I will insist that my girls go outside every day. They don’t have to go where I go or do what I do, but they do know that staying inside all day is not an option.❄️ There are times when they’re not thrilled but I’m convinced that over time, they will internalize my mantra “There’s no such thing as bad weather” and that it will at some point become their inner voice.🌿
_____________________________
#theresnosuchthingasbadweather #rainorshinemamma #friluftsliv #optoutside #outsideisfree #outdoorfamilies #outsideeveryday #outdoorkids #outdoorculture
A teepee tent in the woods for winter camping? Sig A teepee tent in the woods for winter camping? Sign. Me. Up.😍 Unfortunately, this one isn’t mine, but I had the pleasure of spending a couple hours in it while interviewing Marja of @charlottendalsgard for my upcoming book about friluftsliv😁

Have you ever camped out in the winter?
__________________________
#theresnosuchthingasbadweather #rainorshinemamma #friluftsliv #optoutside #outdoorfamilies #outfam #wintercamping #teepee #teepeetent #teepeedreams #sweden #swedenimages #1000hoursoutside #wildernessculture
Some days we struggle to get outside. Other days a Some days we struggle to get outside. Other days are like this.🙏🏻 There was nothing else I would’ve rather done today, nowhere I would’ve rather been than right here. We may only get this kind of of amazing ice a few days a year - if we’re lucky - so the decision to drop everything else for this was an easy one to make.❄️ The otherworldly sound of the ice singing, the pale sun on our faces, the feeling of being one with nature. This day was one to remember.❤️
___________________________________
#rainorshinemamma #theresnosuchthingasbadweather #friluftsliv #1000hoursoutside #optoutside #chooseoutdoors #outsideeveryday #outdoorfamilies #outfam #iceicebaby #iceskating #lakelife #lakeliving #sweden #swedenimages
Darkness is a constant presence here this time of Darkness is a constant presence here this time of year and you can either fight it or embrace it. I choose the latter🌑

When the nights are long and the days are short, I fall back on the simple joys of life. Sledding under a starry night, going for a quiet walk along old gravel roads, thawing frozen hands over an open fire. With friends who will always have my back❤️ 

I could’ve been dreaming of a sunny beach in a faraway location, but truthfully, right there and then on this ordinary yet magic Thursday, there was nowhere else I’d rather be. Thank you for the hot chocolate and the good times, @mallanut😘
____________________________
#theresnosuchthingasbadweather #rainorshinemamma #friluftsliv #optoutside #campfire #chooseoutdoors #outsideeveryday #embracewinter #1000hoursoutside #winterwonderland #sweden
Reality check. I’m working 50-60 hours per week Reality check. I’m working 50-60 hours per week right now, on top of caring for two children on my own. This work burden is not something that I strive for, nor is it something that I idealize, it’s just how it is for me sometimes. While I know that I’m busier than what’s good for me right now, there’s one thing that keeps me going even when things are tough. You guessed it - nature.🌿

Once I go out the door and hit the trail, nothing else matters. By the sparkling lake, I turn off work completely and all deadlines suddenly become irrelevant. In the shade of the tall pine trees, the constant noise in my brain fades into a whisper. Out here, in the crisp air, all my worries and concerns peel away and my heart is filled with gratitude.🙏🏻

I know it’s hard to make time for nature experiences in this busy day and age, but our harried souls need nature more than ever. And time in nature is never wasted.❤️
_________________________________
#theresnosuchthingasbadweather #rainorshinemamma #friluftsliv #optoutside #outsideeveryday #wildfamily #naturelover #naturelovers #naturetherapy #sweden #swedenimages
Load More... Follow on Instagram