As a mom, you learn quickly that time goes by far too quickly. In the flash of an eye, you move from holding a tiny baby to customizing kids hats for them. It’s not easy to make every moment count when you’re raising a child and making sure they have a childhood they’ll never forget.
When you have a child, there’s so much pressure to ‘do it right’ that you wonder whether you’re spending too much time producing memories and not enough time cherishing them. Here are some great strategies for doing something fun and educational with your kids, so everyone wins!
Speak and listen
Talking to your kid about what they’re thinking and feeling, what they like and don’t like, and what they’re looking forward to and what they’re dreading is an essential part of teaching them how to communicate effectively and also gives them a chance to unload about anything that’s been bothering them. No matter how insignificant it may appear, these interactions help establish a solid foundation of trust between yourselves and your children, which increases the likelihood that they will open up to you about difficult issues throughout their adolescence.
Consider how often you give your kids instructions throughout the day. While it’s vital to their health, you should consider whether or not that’s the extent of your communication with them. Your relationship will strengthen if you spend some time listening to one another.
Recognize the importance of celebrating milestones
Due to the hectic nature of our daily lives, it’s easy to neglect the simple pleasure of being with loved ones. This is especially true when one has to split their attention between work, making supper, cleaning the house, and taking children to and from school. Making time to be together as a family is vital, whether it’s going to the movies or watching a classic on TV. These are the memories you and your family will love forever.
Feel free to discuss controversial topics without worry
It’s natural to want to shield your child from harm, but please remember that life isn’t perfect and shouldn’t be hidden from your child. It’s hard to broach the topic of death with kids, but if you do it with care, they may be more accepting than you expect. A more sensitive way to teach kids about death and the sacrifices our forefathers made for our country is to show them photos of the urns in which their relatives’ ashes were scattered.
Include them in the process of reminiscing
It’s wonderful to reflect on the past, and you should teach your kids to do the same. Allow them to help you make a memory box of their infant photos or an online display of your latest vacation. They will forever be grateful to you for allowing them to, and assisting them to, reflect on the most meaningful times in their lives
Making a time capsule and then burying it in your backyard (or another place you and your kids like to spend time) is a fun hobby that has fallen out of favor in recent years but is sure to be appreciated by your kids when they’re older. You can store away anything that will make you nostalgic in the future, from a child’s painting to a family snapshot to a CD of today’s top hits.
Give them all your love and support
Time spent together as a family is crucial, but so is time spent with your friends and other loved ones. Take the elderly in on social outings, host family celebrations at your house, and make sure your kids never feel lonely. Always remember to capture lots of pictures to include in your scrapbook!
