How to Preserve Children

There’s a charming little “recipe” that’s been passed down in whispers and weathered journals, attributed to a wise woman named Sister Gunnel. It’s not for cookies or casseroles but for something far more precious. It’s a reminder, wrapped in whimsy, of how to truly preserve the wonder of childhood.

Jump to recipe

Recipe for Preserving Children

It’s not just a sweet poem but a recipe for slowing down, for stepping away from screens and schedules, and letting children be children.

In a world filled with structured activities and digital distractions, Sister Gunnel reminds us that the best moments are often the simplest. Children don’t need expensive toys or elaborate plans to thrive. They need space to run, a little nature to explore, and the freedom to be delightfully messy.

This “recipe” isn’t just about children. It’s a gentle nudge for us adults, too, to remember what it felt like to lose track of time outside, to come home sun-kissed and muddy, and to carry the scent of wildflowers and creek water into the evening.

So maybe this weekend, you gather your own ingredients. Borrow some kids, if you don’t have your own. Add a dog or two. Find a patch of green and a bit of sky. Stir gently. Bake in the sun. And preserve what’s good and golden about being alive.

Because the best things in life aren’t things at all, they’re moments, memories, and the sweet, sun-warmed joy of childhood.

Grab your apron (or maybe just your sneakers), and let’s dive into the ingredients.

The Secret Recipe for Preserving Children

Prep Time: 10 minutes (longer if someone forgets their shoes) Cook Time: 2–3 hours under the sun (until lightly freckled and joyfully exhausted)

Total Time: Unlimited laughter and lifelong memories

Recipe adapted from Sister Gunnell

Equipment:	A grassy field: Freedom. Space to run, fall, roll, and imagine. Children and dogs: Companionship. The joyful chaos of laughter and wagging tails. A brook and some pebbles: Discovery. The magic of cold water and smooth stones under tiny fingers. Flowers and sunshine: Beauty and warmth. The sensory delight of the world at its most alive. A bathtub cool-down: A return to calm. Time to reflect, to clean off the day, and to feel safe and soothed.
Ingredients:	• 1 large grassy field • 1/2 dozen children • 2 or 3 small dogs • A pinch of brook • Some small pebbles
Directions:	Mix the children and dogs well and put in the field, stirring constantly. Pour the brook over the pebbles, sprinkle the field with flowers, Spread over all a deep blue sky and bake in the hot sun. When thoroughly browned, remove and sit to cool in a bathtub.