Its 2013 and a new year has come! Twist and shout for the year of the Rat.
As with every new year that approaches us, we are faced with pieces of our lives that we want to improve upon. And its a wonderful thing…we are taking a moment out of our lives to truly think about what will make us a better human being.
This year brought about my family. My daughter August, specifically. I found myself falling into a slump of turmoil and general daily duties that I have seemingly forgotten about my very own daughter and her needs. On December 31st, I sat on my chair and pondered what can I do to improve my parenting? What can I do to make this tiny little person a well adjusted member of society in the future? My first thought was education. My second thought was diet. My third thought was activity. And the list kept going all the way down to removing the game system from the house. It came down to activity.So many things wrap itself around activity. I would not only be able to make my child healthier by improving her activity level, but I can educate her while promoting the activities. I can remove her from wanting to sit and play video game consoles all day and watching Sponge Bob…I thought, what can be educational while being active?
A garden!
Over the course of the long weekend, I laid out a plan of creating a kitchen garden in about 100 sqft space on the south facing side of the homes property. I brought out the colorful crayons so that my daughter would be able to color the instructions and become involved quickly with the process.
Activity! We pulled all of the leaves and pine needles from the area, loosened up the soil and began fertilizing with compost from the local garden store and the leaves and pine needles from the property. We laid out string and twig to start marking the plots where each food group wood go.
Planting and education! we gathered old egg cartons and small clay pots and started placing the seeds into the soil for germination. I was able to explain to my daughter photosynthesis and the process of germination. Her response was amazing “you mean just like me, I was a seed that grew into a person” she said.
Every morning, my daughter tends to the seeds and waters them. Each day we focus on each kind of seed that was planted and discuss what it will look like and taste like. How it will be good for her and for me.
What a wonderful way to bond with your child. The true piece of American culture being informed in her very young mind. I strongly recommend everyone that has the time to set aside with their children to do this. It is a great way to connect with your child in addition to maintain an active lifestyle and save some money on produce!
