As I try to convince my kids to go stargazing, my daughter is rolling her eyes so hard I think they might get stuck. I mean, it’s February in Minnesota, what did I expect? But I tell her, there’s wonder up there, in that vast expanse of darkness. She just shrugs and gets ready for school.

Let’s face it, stargazing sounds like a lot of work. Who wants to bundle up and head out into the cold when you can just stay in and watch Netflix? But trust me, it’s worth it. There’s something about staring up at the infinite expanse of space that puts all your earthly problems in perspective.

Now, some parents might turn stargazing into a homework assignment, with checklists and binoculars and all that jazz. But let’s not get too crazy here. The point is not to turn our kids into star-gazing experts. We just want them to experience some awe and wonder, which, as a wise scientist told The Washington Post, can have all kinds of positive effects on our emotions and well-being.

So how do we get there? Well, first of all, listen to your kids. Ask them what excites them about space. Involve them in the planning process. What should you wear? Do we need bug spray? Do we bring hot chocolate? Let the kids make some decisions and just go with the flow. Even if they just want to stop at McDonald’s on the way, it’s okay. We’ll survive.

Now, I know looking at all those stars can feel intimidating. We don’t all have degrees in astronomy, after all. But guess what? You don’t need to have all the answers. Just be present with your kids and let them lead the way. And hey, if you need some help, there are plenty of apps out there that can guide you along, from SkyView Lite to StarTracker to Star Walk 2.

And if all else fails, just step outside into the backyard. Even if you live in a city with light pollution, you can still spot the brightest objects in the sky. And who knows, maybe you’ll even spot a planet or two. It’s a good reminder to look up from our phones every once in a while and take in the world around us. Plus, studies have shown that spending time in nature can do wonders for our well-being.

So, did I manage to convince my kids to go stargazing with me? Well, let’s just say they were a little distracted by their lightsabers and graphic novels. But hey, that’s okay. Maybe they’ll remember that one random night when we looked up at the stars and saw some planets. And who knows, maybe it’ll inspire them to keep looking up and dreaming big.

Serious News: washingtonpost