Embrace the Change

Spring is a season of change, and that is no joke!

We start this month off with a bang – I can’t ever forget that April 1st is April Fools’ Day as my 12 year old prankster reminds us with a well-thought out gag for mom and dad. The change continues through the month as we see flowers beginning to pop through the soil, hear birds starting to chirp in the early mornings, and feel the air switch from nose-numbing to lung-cleansing. We end this month with the old adage “April showers bring May flowers”. I think that’s just Mother Nature’s way of saying “stop complaining about the rain people, I’m working on gorgeous things to come!” What a time to embrace change, reflect and take time to smell the crocuses! I know I’ll be making a conscious decision to get out to the garden and connect with our earth on April 22nd – Earth Day.

Change can be difficult for some people though. It’s the young ones that have an especially hard time with transitions. Dr. Bhooma Bhayana and Frank Emanuele share the love and the pain of raising toddlers and preschoolers – read Toddler Tantrums (or Negotiating World Peace) and My Willful Threenager on pages __ and __. We can all relate to the cry of NOOOOOO that rings out when a three year old doesn’t get to do what they had planned (like wear a dinosaur shirt, right Frank?).

We’ve made a big ask of our KidZone authors this month. They’ve tackled the tough topic of perhaps the biggest change we experience in life – puberty. Struggling to “have the talk” with your growing kid? Find comfort and hear their side of the story on page __ (they have some great tips for you, parents!).

Our April holidays also signify change and growth. Passover begins April 20th, and Easter is celebrated on April 21st. What a month for meaningful holidays! We know we fail to mention all holidays that are important to your family, which is why we’d love to hear from you! Please share your family’s celebrations and traditions with us anytime at facebook.com/themomandcaregiver.

Happy spring to you all – embrace the change!

Sabina Manji, a lifelong Londoner, is an irrepressible entrepreneur, mother of a wonderful son, and also a committed volunteer.