If there was ever a year for gardening, this must be it.
We have all the key ingredients at our fingertips:
Kids at home: eager and curious
Sunshine: it comes and goes
Rain: or a watering can or hose
Dirt: even if you don’t have a garden space (or way more shade than sun like I do) you can probably find a container and buy a bag (or a few bags) of $2.00 soil.
These are difficult times for many people, children and adults alike. Soil is soothing for the soul. Get the kids digging in dirt. For an added bonus, throw in a few seeds or plants (flowers, vegetables or herbs) and watch them grow. The satisfaction and sense of accomplishment is beyond words. And you get something of beauty or a tasty bite from Mother Earth as a bonus. Do not underestimate the benefits of planting or just playing in dirt for (and with) kids. No need to be a Master Gardener. Just dig!
We have all the key ingredients at our fingertips:
Kids at home: eager and curious
Sunshine: it comes and goes
Rain: or a watering can or hose
Dirt: even if you don’t have a garden space (or way more shade than sun like I do) you can probably find a container and buy a bag (or a few bags) of $2.00 soil.
These are difficult times for many people, children and adults alike. Soil is soothing for the soul. Get the kids digging in dirt. For an added bonus, throw in a few seeds or plants (flowers, vegetables or herbs) and watch them grow. The satisfaction and sense of accomplishment is beyond words. And you get something of beauty or a tasty bite from Mother Earth as a bonus. Do not underestimate the benefits of planting or just playing in dirt for (and with) kids. No need to be a Master Gardener. Just dig!
I have an “archeology dig” going on in a bare patch in my backyard that is for nothing beyond the pure pleasure of grandchildren seeing how deep they can dig! Yes, it is unsightly. Yes, it is really deep. Yes, one hole has morphed into 4. But there is a pandemic. I am not holding a gala in my backyard anytime soon. I can sit on the deck and watch the digging from a distance and see joy, excitement and adventure unfold before my eyes.
Grounding or Earthing is a phenomenon that has been making waves for several years now. Whether or not this idea is for you, there is no mistake that being in nature, walking in bare feet and feeling the earth beneath us is very healing AND costs little more than a good bar of soap. Nonetheless there have been numerous studies proving the benefits of being in nature so this should not be dismissed without consideration or taken lightly.
Grounding or Earthing is a phenomenon that has been making waves for several years now. Whether or not this idea is for you, there is no mistake that being in nature, walking in bare feet and feeling the earth beneath us is very healing AND costs little more than a good bar of soap. Nonetheless there have been numerous studies proving the benefits of being in nature so this should not be dismissed without consideration or taken lightly.
There is another gardening analogy I have used many times with children with anxiety. I would show them my bounteous tomato plants laden with fruit and explain how these resulted from spending much time nurturing them. I would then explain that to nurture our fears, to put our thoughts on them every day, several times a day, helps them grow too. What we put our attention on grows!
Don't give your attention to your fears They will grow and grow and grow.
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