Question:
What are some things I can do to make good memories for my children and family?
Answer: Building memories as a family is important to create a sense of common identity and heritage. Accomplishing it, though, can be tough — especially when the demands of the day-to-day grind leave you short on time and sapped of energy. Below are some simple ideas that have been successful memory builders for many families. Perhaps they’ll work for yours:
- Give the gift of time. Schedule one-on-one time with your children. If you’re running errands, take one of them along and talk and learn about what they find interesting. Make a special day of taking your child to work with you if your employer allows.
- Make generous use of pen and paper. While your child is small and growing, journal thoughts, observations, and events in their lives and give it to them when they’re grown. Write letters to them for special occasions, when a milestone is reached, or when they’ve experienced success or disappointment. When your son or daughter is ready to leave the nest for college or another destination, write a special letter pronouncing your blessings and conveying your “release.”
- Plan vacations that centre around the unique loves and interests of your family. If funds or time are short, set up a make-believe tent and camp in the living room.
- Make holidays special by starting new traditions or recreating old ones. On your child’s 13th birthday, take the entire evening to celebrate the transition to adolescence. Consider commemorating the occasion with a meaningful gift.
Whatever you do, don’t let the years pass without creating some memorable times that your children will cherish and perhaps pass on to their own children someday. You’ll be glad you did.
This article was written by Focus on the Family Malaysia and the Questions and Answers are extracted from “Complete Family and Marriage Home Reference Guide” with permission.
© 2018 Focus on the Family. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
