Six seasonal celebrations to note with your child
By Melanie Mosher
Spring is a time of hope. The deep cold of winter is slowly receding and tiny sprigs of green are again showing signs of life. It’s time to celebrate. Here are some fresh ways to mark the serious and not-so-serious days of the season.
St. Patrick’s Day: March 17, 2023
A day to celebrate Irish heritage and culture, St. Patrick’s Day has become synonymous with the colour green. Ireland is the Emerald Isle, after all. Why not go green in other ways? Reduce, reuse, recycle. Do some spring cleaning and remember to donate, repurpose or share those unwanted items.
Rather than search for “the luck of the Irish,” spend time with your family and note the luck already around you.
Vernal Equinox (the first day of spring): March 20, 2023
The day when the sun is directly over the equator, providing equal hours of sunlight and darkness. From this point, the days begin to lengthen and the sun starts to spread warmth. Measure how tall the kids have grown in the past year. Or consider their spiritual, emotional or intellectual growth. Spread your own warmth by practising random acts of kindness.
Siblings Day: Apr. 10, 2023
In 1995, American Claudia Evart named Apr. 10 National Siblings Day, after losing her brother and sister at an early age. It’s a day to honour the unique bond between siblings. Why not make it a day of storytelling to celebrate the whole family? Gather to share your funny family memories. What’s your favourite dad joke? How about a game night so you finally get the chance to beat your brother?
Earth Day: Apr. 22, 2023
Earth Day reminds us of the need to protect and conserve our planet. Make it a time to celebrate the world at large, but also a chance to celebrate your own small world — your family. Plan a meal together, talk about important issues, discuss ways you can make improvements in both worlds.
Lost Sock Memorial Day: May 9, 2023
This has become an annual day to acknowledge the socks left behind. No matter how hard you try, one sock inevitably ends up missing. This is the day to let go of the mate. Discuss the possibilities of how they went missing in the first place.
See who can come up with the craziest idea to use the surviving sock. Sock puppet or sock monkey? Perhaps, you can use them as dusters to help with the spring cleaning.
Mother’s Day: May 14, 2023
First celebrated in 1907, this day is recognized around the world to celebrate maternal roles and motherhood in all forms. It’s a time to appreciate your own mother, but can also be a time to “mother” someone else — take your dog for a walk, call a friend or lend your neighbour a hand. It’s also a chance to acknowledge the glory of Mother Earth and Mother Nature and all they provide.
