When I was a child, I had a special outdoor place that was all mine, a hide-away place where I could make-believe, dream or read my favorite Nancy Drew books beneath the thick cover of weeping willow branches stretched to reach the ground. It was a magical place, made more so by the frequent visits from lady bugs or grasshoppers or the one-eyed squirrel my mom fed every day, and where the only music I heard was bird songs. It was my version of a tree house which never got off the ground, but I loved it.

For my husband, his go-to place was the woods behind his house, complete with a small creek. He says most of his childhood was spent in those woods, exploring, building, collecting lizards and such, and making up games to play with friends.

In our generation, kids and outdoors were perfect together.

Today, many children are said to be suffering from what is referred to as nature deficiency disorder. Children’s natural connection to nature is being disrupted, with sad consequences for them and for nature.

Without time for free exploration of the outdoors, to observe, absorb and build connections with the wild things of earth, children will not learn to carry nature in their hearts and may not learn to care for the earth which provides so many blessings. For a child or young person who is by nature sensorial, needing to touch, smell, hear, and see, being outside is a rich sensory experience that cannot be matched indoors.

Of course, not everyone has a yard to play in or even open green space in their neighborhood. There is a true inequality of outdoor space distribution across cities and suburbs. So, sometimes we need to build in time for nature by taking nature walks in our neighborhoods, visiting national parks, which often have special activities just for children, or a local park where climbing and playing in the open air surrounded by trees and grass under their feet can be invaluable to a child’s mental and physical health.

Other times, bringing nature indoors may be a good solution—plants to care for, a bird nesting box on a window for viewing, treasure boxes for collecting nature’s simple gifts like pinecones, stones, a variety of leaves, seeds, shells, or sea glass if a beach trip is possible.

Children who can write may enjoy keeping their own explorer journal where they log their finds and answer questions like, “What does it feel like? Look like? “How is it used?” “Can it grow?”

Binoculars, magnifying glasses, shovels, inexpensive cameras, and plenty of containers of varying sizes support the young nature lover. Budding artists can be inspired with an easel and their favorite paints set up outdoors, invited by an almost unlimited supply of subjects and no paint on the floor.

Children have a remarkable ability for wonder, and nowhere will they experience it in such variety as in nature. Sharing that wonderful work of miracles with our children is the perfect time to teach them that the earth belongs to God and was created by God for our good. Then they may look forward to their role as future stewards of creation with love and joy.

A common goal for parishes and schools is to create a healthy environment where children and families thrive. Preventing bullying is a key element to providing a safe and secure community. There are life-skills and patterns of behavior we can practice in order to strengthen our everyday commitment to healthy relating. When members know and agree to social norms of a loving Christian community, we provide an optimal environment for living, learning, and praying together.

Lo que me encanta del Papa Francisco es que es tan accesible y práctico. Su sonrisa es contagiosa, su amor genuino, y no tiene miedo de hablar sobre sus propias experiencias y relaciones. Entonces, cuando el Papa Francisco anunció el Año Jubilar de la Misericordia y el tema para la Jornada Mundial de la Juventud 2016 en Cracovia, supimos que entendía y vivía la misericordia en su propia vida.

What I love about Pope Francis is that he is so approachable and practical. His smile is infectious, his love genuine, and he is not afraid of talking about his own experiences and relationships. So, when Pope Francis announced the Jubilee Year of Mercy and the theme for World Youth Day 2016 in Krakow, we knew he understood and experienced mercy in his own life.

We were that “Church family.” House decorated for liturgical seasons, seven children, family service projects, music lessons, chore charts, family meetings and retreats, on our third copy of Prayers for the Domestic Church.

Like other dutiful and thoughtful dads and moms on the road, I frequently returned from trips with treats for our children. When they were young, these gifts were expected. It was what they asked about as soon as I arrived home. Often their interest was stated in an almost formulaic question: What did you bring us?

When our son was seven, I held his hand as we walked on a frozen road with his little brothers when he broke away from me and ran ahead. He was so quick, I could only watch in terror and call out, “Wait! Be careful!” By the grace of God he was safe, but it was a defining moment for me as a mother. I realized I wouldn’t be able to protect him forever.

When our children got engaged, we experienced both joy and concern. We observed the happy couple’s excitement as the wedding plans developed, and we hoped they were ready for what lay ahead of them.