Feed the Birds

Over the summer, we had a hummingbird feeder hanging off our deck that can be seen from our kitchen and kitchen table. My kids and I loved watching to see if any hummingbirds were out there–if you haven’t seen one up close (I mean we were maybe 10-12 feet away from inside) they are pure MAGIC. So tiny and pretty and their wings flap so fast! Well these sweet little creatures migrate south over the winter so we took down the feeder to stow away til late spring. 

We had been birdless since. 

BUT THEN Bethann and I recorded an episode of our podcast with Dr. Don McCown about his Learning Life Skills Together program which focuses on 4 key skills: paying attention, regulating emotion, tolerating distress, and clearly communicating. We talked about noticing simple pleasures to build the paying attention skill and birding came up. So I did what anyone would do… I went to Target and got a clear bird feeder and bag of birdseed and set it up where the hummingbird feeder used to hang. 

By the next day, it became a bird breakfast bonanza by 7am. Now every morning the kids come down and check to see what kinds of birds are feasting, how many there are, and just watch them flutter and hop around while they eat their own breakfast. It is a lovely way to start the day and something they can enjoy together–that doesn't end in sibling fighting. Feeding the birds has built a mindful moment into our morning routine that I also love to participate in. 

I am hoping to start Don’s program soon–it is FREE and self paced with short modules–like 2-8 minutes long–so it’s very approachable. However, in the meantime, I am thankful to have started this one practice to flex our attention skills. 

Do you have any mindful routines you do with your kids? I would love to hear about it. Email me at cdziembowski@dtownctc.org  or send me a DM on Instagram!