Celebrate Spring's Arrival

In our busy lives, most of us have little time to connect with the great outdoors. And yet marking nature's predictable rhythm can be a touchstone for our families. During a recent talk I gave, a mother of three, who yearned for her kids to maintain their relationship with nature, approached me. She said: "When my kids were younger I always took them to the playground, on hikes in the woods, outside to play with the dog or to look for animal tracks in the snow. Now there is no time for them to be outdoors unless it's organized. I think they miss that lovely time in nature. I sure do."

Mark March 20, the first day of spring, on your calendar and celebrate the magical shift of seasons--even if you never step outside. Whitney, my twelve-year-old, put forty tiny braids in her sister's hair this year to celebrate spring's arrival. Her experience braiding horses' manes came in handy on her sister's thick head of hair. Elizabeth was thrilled in the morning when she took out the braids and was transformed into a wild-haired spring creature.

The following ideas don't take much time, but by honoring nature's cycles everyday life takes on a richer meaning. Who knows--you may create an annual first day of spring tradition for your family.

12 Ways to Say "Happy Spring!"