It seems like every darn day is another special one: “World Pancakes Day,” “International Yoga Day,” “Re-friend Your BFF from High School, and Try to Make Amends Day,” – you know what I mean.

As parents, it’s hard enough to stay on top of school and family events, never mind PR-driven ones. But today is the International Day of Peace, and for once, I’m 100% behind celebrating it. Better yet, every way I see to make it part of our Monday is meant to be easy, internal, and thoughtful. More than anything, it feels like a time to just take a deep breath with my family and do something small and fun so they can consider the concept of peace in their own lives and relationships. 

Where did it begin? In 1981, the United Nations unanimously proclaimed September 21 as the International Day of Peace. For one day every year, they encourage the world to put peace before all else in an effort “to contribute to building a Culture of Peace.”

Since Roots and Shoots play such a pivotal role in the International Day of Peace, I asked our local branch what they plan to do. And it’s perfectly suited to the kind of activity I can 1) fit into our already busy day and 2) not cause more stress, but actively work on a de-stressing craft with my kids that suits the theme: A Peace Dove! Create or color a dove, write a peaceful message, and share one or one hundred with your friends.

Folding paper into beautiful cranes with peaceful messages sounds heavenly on a Monday

Don’t know how to make a peace dove? Roots & Shoots has your back

And if folding feels too stressful, here are coloring pages you can download. If our kids master the above folding lesson, the Peace Crane Project has more intricate folding guides.

It’s not about your artistic ability though, it’s about the intent. And as with any of these special days, or challenges to live a more ecologically sustainable existence, building peace doves with my kids may need to become a more regular thing.

Out of the numerous suggestions for celebrating the U.N. International Day of Peace, we selected more that families can do without much planning. From their website:

– “May Peace Prevail On Earth!” – Include this universal statement  – perhaps around a local Peace Pole – to begin and/or end a program or gathering.

– Global Feast For Peace -Gather people together with food in the spirit of peace – include interfaith or intercultural dialogue if you wish (Global Feast PDF.) You can also just add this dialogue to your already scheduled meal.

– Compassion Games International – offers fun and creative ways to ignite and catalyze compassionate action in communities around the world.

Whatever you choose to do, please pause at 12 noon local time and join people all across the globe in a Minute of Silence/Moment of Peace.

KEEP READING: Is Plastic-Free Possible for Parents? Involve Your Children so They Understand

Photos: Roots and Shoots, Unsplash