Spend Time With Your Family This March

"Time flies," as the old saying goes, but in today's fast-paced world, it's never been so true. How many times this winter have you put off building a snowman or sledding with your family, and thought "We'll do it next week"? Before you know it, all the snow is gone, spring is right around the corner and that snowman was never made. Most parents realize the rewards of close family ties, yet the demands of jobs and day-to-day household activities can be stressful and tiring. It's easy for quality time with our kids to get left out. You don't want to waste another season thinking about that family hike you never made it to.

Spending time with your children gives you a chance to shape their values. As your children get older, you can provide a good frame of reference as they are exposed to the growing influence of peers and popular culture. The more time you spend with your children, the more you will be able to help them tune in to their abilities, skill-building activities, and healthy friendships.

This time of the year is a great time to get in some quality time with your family. Spring brings the renewal of love for the outdoors, spring cleaning, Easter eggs, St. Patrick's Day and of course the Shamrock Shake. However, did you know that March is National Craft Month? What a better way to spend time with your family than celebrating with your family with a few St. Patrick's Day and Easter themed projects. Check out kaboose for some great craft ideas that you can do right at your home!

If you are looking to get out of the house, Visit New England and Uptake have easy to read lists of family friendly events in our area and beyond. Of course YMCA Camp Ingersoll's Egg-Stravaganza, Saturday March 27th is a great way for young families to enjoy time together.

Don't spend this spring putting off the things family memories are made of. Let's get outside, spend time together and have fun!