High Nest Haven

Imagine a peaceful, calm place surrounded by a beautiful forest. A small farmhouse, with nothing but the sounds of birds and cows grazing in the nearby fields. Imagine an adjacent greenhouse filled with vegetables and fruits. Imagine people who are eager to share their experience and knowledge, teaching others, especially children, how to grow food and how to interact with and care for animals working there.

Now picture a space for parents. A place for people who simply want to relax and take a break from the demands of daily life. They come here and let their children be cared for by people who truly understand how to teach and support their needs, without the need for closed classrooms or the structured environment of traditional schools, where they spend the entirety of the week. This isn’t a criticism of the school system, but rather an attempt to highlight a different approach to learning. Especially for children who struggle to stay confined in one space for a fixed amount of time.

Now imagine you have a child who wants nothing more than to spend the entire day outdoors, not just one or two hours, but all day, free from walls and limitations.

I’m the parent of such a child. And I often find myself dreading the next day, not because I don’t want to spend time with my child, or be outside, but because I have to set boundaries. I have to be the “bad” mother who restricts his freedom, sometimes necessarily, to protect him from harm. It's incredibly demanding. I’ve been searching for ways to support not only my husband and myself, but also other parents who are in the same position, parents trying to meet their child’s needs in a world that isn’t always built for them. My son didn’t choose to write a blog, and he didn’t choose to be who he is. I will not share our intimate experiences here, I’m only sharing a brief glimpse of our experience to make a more important point, one that has led to an idea that could potentially grow into something real. This idea has been quietly taking shape in my heart for a while now, a project inspired by my son, and by all children and their parents. We need the outdoors. We need sunlight. We need fresh air. We all know the benefits of daily interaction with nature, it grounds us, calms us, and helps us grow. For some children, this connection to nature isn’t just beneficial, it’s essential.

Now imagine a space that meets both the needs of children and the needs of their parents. A place where children grow in harmony with nature, supported at their own pace, especially after school hours, when they’ve spent much of the day confined indoors.

As parents, we all strive to raise emotionally aware, independent, and capable children, children who will one day lead fulfilling lives. Every child has their own unique path, of course, but this hope is something we all share. And when I reflect on the old saying, “It takes a village to raise a child,” I understand more deeply than ever why we need a strong, supportive community, one built on collaboration, shared wisdom, and a common goal: helping our children thrive.

This is where all these thoughts come together, into an idea, a vision, a project I hope to bring to life, if I can gather the energy and the right people to help make it real.

Everyone is welcome in this nest. Inclusion is the key word I’m building it upon. The vision is to create a sustainable community grounded in respect, understanding, natural harmony, and shared responsibility. This project will celebrate and make use of the full potential of those willing to share their knowledge and experience, people from the neighbouring community, though others from further afield are warmly welcome too.

Everything has a cost: money, time, and energy. But if we don’t invest in our own future, and in the future of our children, then what is left to hope for or look forward to?

So I want to invite everyone who feels called to contribute to this vision, in their own way, with their own capabilities, capacities, and potential. Together, we can create something truly unique, a space where values, skills, and strength can be woven into our children’s growth and well-being. Imagine that!

Jelena Holl 15.06.2025 St.Cergue, Vaud, Switzerland