The Gardener’s Guide to Raising Happy, Healthy Kids
Posted on April 12, 2011 by FoBaM-Jamie
With spring now fully upon us in the northeast, small green things are finally poking up through the earth. Only weeks ago, our world was still shrouded in the remnants of winter’s wrath; but now the neighborhood lawns are covered in blankets of brilliantly blue Siberian Squill – a hardy, little flower that transforms even the dullest yard into a faerie wonderland.
Such is the magic of flowers. The have the ability to brighten any space, whether they have been nurtured in a luxurious greenhouse or struggled to emerge through a crack in the sidewalk. They inspire us to pause in our daily round and drink in the miraculous beauty that is around us. The first flowers of spring – crocus, tulips, snowdrops, and daffodils – these are also harbingers of hope, of light after the darkness.
Children are like that, too.
And so, though I am hardly a master gardener, I could not help but see the similarities between what it takes to raise strong and thriving plants and what it takes to raise happy, healthy children. What they need from us – as gardeners or parents – is actually quite similar.
Create the right environment
To start with, you need to create a space that is nurturing. You must prepare the soil – loosening it to let it breathe, pulling out any rocks, tilling it through with nutrient-rich food so that it will provide all the sustenance young things need.
Encourage strong roots
More important than what grows above the ground, is what grows beneath. Making sure that the roots run deep and wide will give young seedlings the foundation they need to stand tall and firm in later years.
Give all things in moderation
Water, sunshine, and fertilizers are all important to growth, but can be harmful if given in excess. Do not over-indulge your charges. Nourish them generously, but avoid a heavy hand.
Provide the right supports
Some growing things need a little extra support as they climb towards the sun and grow into themselves. Know what kind of support you need to provide – a stake, lattice, or a single thread. Tailor the support to the need and know when it is time to let the youngster grow on its own.
Keep weeds to a minimum
Aggressive and invasive weeds can choke out other living things, clutching at their roots, draining the soil of life-giving richness, blocking out the sun. Make sure to keep weeds in check – always digging them out earlier rather than later. Emerging weeds are much easier to remove than mature ones.
Talk and listen
The most beautiful flowers are the ones who have been nurtured not only with sun and rain, but with the gift of conversation. Listen to growing things and offer words of encouragement and support. Do not judge their progress, but tell them you believe in them. Whisper sweet nothings every day.
Be patient
Patience is more than a virtue for a gardener. It is a way of life. Everything blooms in its own time. Don’t rush the process. Don’t fret if it takes longer than you expected. Just watch quietly and continue to offer your love and support. One day, you will wake to find a surprise that will be more beautiful for all the waiting.
Value hardiness
Though part of you may want to keep your young seedlings under a glass dome like Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s little prince, do not. The best gift you can give is the gift of hardiness – of being able to survive and thrive on their own, even when the environment is not perfect, even when they may have to wait a long while for sunshine and water, even when they don’t have the benefit of your kind words.
Look beyond the names and pedigree to see the beauty of the individual
All flowers are beautiful, but each is uniquely so. Treasure each blossom for its own perfection. Do not get caught in the trap of measuring against a standard. Though other blossoms may be bigger, brighter, or sweeter, even the tiniest, most humble flower has a special magic – the magic to make us stop in our tracks so that we can enjoy the fragrance and brilliance of this small, perfect piece of the universe.
Image Credit: Kelly Cookson
Don’t Ever Change
Posted on December 13, 2010 by Guest
No matter which holiday you celebrate, there is a certain magic that children bring with their exuberance and unquestioning belief. Today, guest writer Wendi Brandow shares her wish that children never lost that sense of innocence and wonder.
Dont ever change, dont ever change. I whispered these words to myself as I lay snuggled up to my husband, who in turn cocooned our soon-to-be, five-year-old son. We were laying beneath a pile of blankets on top of a mountain of pillows watching The Polar Express for the tenth time since Thanksgiving. Santa had just announced who would receive the first gift of Christmas and my son erupted in a burst of applause. His wonder had gotten the best of him. It was as if he had never seen it before and he was so excited he couldnt contain himself, as if he himself would be receiving the first gift of Christmas.
More and more lately, a part of me needs to believe he will always be that innocent and filled with delight. He seems so big lately. He has grown an inch-and-a-half in the two months since he started school. He has stopped hugging me as much and needs far fewer kisses. He has also started to be judged, and not always kindly, by the opinions of others.
Losing baby teeth & baby beliefs
Posted on July 8, 2010 by FoBaM-Jamie
My six-and-a-half year-old daughter lost her first baby tooth this week. The event was rather anti-climactic. For weeks, we’d been watching her front tooth wiggle, dangle, and twist; and then – while she was eating a green popsicle – it just dropped into her hand. No blood, no tears, no drama. She looked momentarily surprised and then ran immediately to the bathroom mirror to proudly check out her gappy reflection.
I got a little choked up. I already feel like my baby is growing up so fast, and now that she’s started dropping chiclets, I feel like puberty is right around the corner. It won’t be long now. Pretty soon, she’ll be going off to school wearing her own Big Girl Shoes instead of playing dress up with mine. I can almost hear her asking to borrow the car.
Thankfully, some pieces of childhood magic still linger. The tooth fairy, for instance, was a much anticipated guest. My daughter solemnly placed her tooth in the special, little box that my sister had given her for the occasion. We placed the box outside my daughter’s room (because the tooth fairy wouldn’t be able to open the bedroom door), and left the box unlatched (in case the clasp was too tricky for tiny fairy fingers). Around 2AM, Read More…
