As the nation scrambles to deal with one of the largest financial crises since the Great Depression, local moms and dads are finding joy in simple things by bringing spirituality into their family’s lives, a growing trend.

In one instance, about 20 parents calling themselves Family Spirit Time are gathering to brainstorm on ways to bring meaning back to the holidays. Other grassroots efforts are springing up throughout the area, focusing on family values and spending quality time together.

“A growing group of moms and dads have been quietly bringing the meaning of special moments back into their homes,” said Kristanne Heaton of Nevada City, who helped start the group. “All it means is that no matter your religion, your beliefs or faith, you can nurture the spiritual life of your family and, more specifically, your children.”

In a world dominated by TV, video games and iPods, spirituality is missing in many U.S. households, many parents are finding out. Incorporating homespun traditions into the mix can add meaning to young people’s lives.

In pragmatic terms, even a family dinner-time ritual, so often neglected, can help children improve their schoolwork and “just say no” to drugs and alcohol, studies show.

Last year, four Grass Valley women launched Memorable Mealtimes, with a product called the “Enchanted Table.” It is a tablecloth with question cards meant to start meaningful dinnertime conversation and encourage cooperation. The product is a tablecloth adorned with renderings of characters from nursery rhymes and fairy tales.

Many families also are turning to local churches for spirituality.

In their effort, Kristanne and Sid Heaton are like many modern-day parents. They don’t go to church, but they wanted to nurture their two children’s innate spiritual side.

“Here we’ve given him organic food and read all the books,” Kristanne Heaton said. But they wanted to do more.

“He (son, Quinn, 5) was always kind of asking the big questions. It’s our job as parents to nourish that spot in them,” Heaton said.

So each week, the family set aside “spirit time,” to tap into what has become something almost taboo in modern life.

The family began making a ritual of sitting outside on a blanket, talking of nature and music and things that explore deeper values. The idea is to help children recognize things that are bigger than themselves. Quinn and Kinsey, 3, keep found objects related to their talks and activities in a spirit journal.

“It’s a great chance for us to get together as a family and talk about things that don’t come up at the dinner table,” said Sid Heaton. He grew up in a non-religious family but always “believed in the importance of spiritual things,” he said.

Soon the Heatons found that other parents were having similar ideas. So about a year ago, a small handful of them started a support group that went beyond traditional Mommy and Me play groups.

Organizers targeted a diverse range of working and stay-at-home parents, from soccer moms and church-goers to liberal thinking artists with no religious background, to focus on a deeply personal goal.

“It’s very different for everyone. It’s neat to see all the variety that comes out with families,” Heaton said.

Locals such as Kit Vinitzky, who moved to Nevada City from Israel five years ago, is a mother of three and tries to incorporate spiritual meaning in every daily ritual from meals to bedtime.

She tries to instill an appreciation of life and remember not to take anything for granted.

“I think we’re really lacking spirituality in our lives. Life is not just what we do,” Vinitzky said. “If we don’t have a dream, what are we doing?”

Busy lives often turn the holidays into a frantic, stressful time for families. Halloween candy and costumes are for sale as early as August, with Thanksgiving decorations and Santas creeping onto shelves not long after. It’s easy to get caught up in the commercial traditions marketed at every turn.

“Your’re told mostly what to do by the stores you visit,” Heaton said.

When it comes to reinvigorating traditions, parents can feel daunted about where to begin.

“Bringing it back into the home is a little scary at first. Traditions start in families. I think that’s so important to the kids,” Heaton said.

Some families have started altars in the home dedicated to something or someone they cherish, such as a loved one who has passed away. Some have cleaned up favorite play places they value, such as local parks.

“It takes a little minute. It does take some braveness. You do have to stop to have a spiritual experience,” Heaton said.

The group’s first open meeting of the season, titled “Taking Back the Holidays,” will be held from 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Oct. 9 at the Madelyn Helling Library Community Meeting Room.

To contact Staff Writer Laura Brown, e-mail lbrown@theunion.com or call 477-4231.