Kids in the Garden

Are you struggling with your kids? Do you find yourself fighting with them to eat healthy? Do you feel like a broken record when trying to convince them to go outside and get some fresh air? I know I have had these same frustrations with my children, but especially with my son who loves to play video games and eat junk food. Maybe it is because I have been too lax with him in the past, but he really doesn’t like to go outside much and getting him to eat his vegetables? Forget about it. What is the most important to me though, is time spent together. I just love spending time with my kids, but with my son it has been hard because I don’t love sitting on the couch watching him play games. Sure, I’ll do it sometimes because he asks me to, but I needed to find something that he would be willing to do with me without complaint. It was a struggle to find what that thing was though.

One day last summer I made him mad by forcing him to go outside (I know, I’m such a mean mom). He was wandering around the yard complaining about being “bored” while I was outside working in our garden, so I suggested he come over and help me to which he begrudgingly agreed. I was already done pulling weeds (thank goodness), at that point I was ready to plant seeds and starts, so I figured he could handle it. Boy was I right! The simple act of planting the seeds and starts was really fun for him, he kept doing it and asking for the next set and by the end of it he was ready to water everything. After that day he came out each day to help me water the garden and check for weeds to pull. Once he saw the sprouts begin, he was absolutely hooked. He would come out each and every day to check out the progress. This was great for several reasons. No longer was I having to fight him to go outside and turn off the games, he was now going on his own! Because he was outside more, he was staying more active through gardening and since he was already outside, he was even hopping on his bike often. To top it off, before long he was eating his veggies!!! The fact that he grew the food himself apparently made the vegetables more palatable (kid logic is the best, isn’t it?). Plus, it’s been so wonderful spending so much time with him. So, I guess you could say that gardening has been a win-win-win for our family.

Since he has now been my little gardening buddy for almost a year, we have been doing more stuff to get ready for this year’s gardening season. We even started a little herb garden in our kitchen which has been awesome for our meals and got him all prepped for planting seeds all over again this season. He has even begun to help me pull weeds and checking out the best fertilizers for our little garden.

Through my experience, I have learned that while gardening with kids may seem overwhelming, it really isn’t. You can jump in full force, or take it slowly and roll with what your kids are interested in. Good tools and fun equipment helps too! Check out this awesome kids gardening line that we have at Sassafrass:

• the little cooks™ tool kit with herb pot - the kit includes a small whisk, wood spoon, rolling pin, wooden turner, large silicone spatula, small silicone spatula, measuring cups and spoons to give them an early lesson in the importance of accurate measuring. all of these necessary tools store compactly and easily in a windowsill herb pot.
• ladybug garden apron set - this set includes an embroidered ladybug apron and a pair of embroidered garden gloves. apron measures 24"l x 18"w and fits sizes 4-8. 100% cotton.
• bugs garden apron set - kids will bug you for this cute apron set! set includes: bug garden apron and matching gloves.

All of these gardening tools and sets are fun and can help keep your kids interested in gardening and those aprons are great for keeping the dirt and mud at bay.

It's worth noting too that there have been studies done that show that children who are familiar with gardening often score higher on their science studies than those who do not. That’s a good enough reason for me to get my kids interested. I love giving them any boost that I possibly can.

If you aren’t yourself a gardening pro, have no fear, there are several plants that are quite easy to grow such as radishes, zucchini and other squash varieties. Herbs are pretty easy too, so don’t worry, you’ve got this! Before you know it, you and your child will be gardening pros.