There are a lot of things we wish for our children. We want them to be kind. We want them to do well in school. We want them to be successful in life. We want them to be happy.

Miriam Rothschild had a lot of advantages in life and her children did, too. She was born into the prominent banking family, and so did not have to worry so much about how her kids would fare financially or if they’d find a career. But you know what she did think a lot about? “If I had one wish for my children,” she said. “I would wish that they were interested in natural history because I think there you get a spiritual well-being that you can get no other way, and what is more, life can never be long enough..I think all naturalists retain a sort of keen interest in what’s going on in life.”

It’s true isn’t it? People who love nature, who can enjoy the beauty of the world around them, can see what’s around them, have an advantage over people who don’t. Miriam Rothschild’s life was blessed but she also lived through some dark times and so did her children. But a love of the outdoors, of animals, of the story of how we—and all this—came to be here? That’s wonderful solace, endless entertainment and so much perspective.

This is why we have to take our kids not just to the great national parks of the world, but also to the great museums. It’s why we need to take road trips…and also stop to look at the bugs we see on the sidewalk. It’s why we nudge them towards incredible documentaries, but also to visit the zoo or the aquarium. And it’s why, despite all the things we’re already responsible for, we tell them, yes, we’ll get you that pet dog or cat or hamster when they ask.

Because this is all life, all part of the wonderful world. They should be curious about all this, fascinated by what’s going on all around us all the time. And understand that this show is available whenever, wherever. This perspective is a gift we can give any child, no matter where they come from or what they do for a living.