Making Memories Last With Your Kids

I’ve always considered myself more nostalgic than sentimental. What I mean is that I like to reminisce about the past, but I don’t like to hold onto objects for sentimental value. If my kid makes me something in art class that they didn’t work on that hard, I will not keep it. If my friend knits me a scarf, I will not wear it if I think it is not comfortable. Call me insensitive, I don’t care. I just have never infused possessions with emotions. This attribute makes it difficult for me to feel like I’m doing a good job at making memories last for my children.

When I think about the best ways to help your children have lasting memories of something, I don’t imagine a parent snapping photographs in front of the Disney castle the way commercials portray. I think of intangible things that will reside vividly in your child’s mind, not necessarily on Facebook. The smell of the banana bread I always make for them as a special treat or the sound of forest leaves crunching under feet as they venture through the forest to explore.

Ironically, I did upload this picture to Facebook. Regardless, making memories last with your kids can be encouraged by enacting these three things.

Being Present

It’s hard to really be there in the moment with your kids these days. Our cell phones give us a screen to distract us and entertain us at all times. Being connected to the internet is not as important as being connected to your kids. Of course, we all believe this, but we don’t act on it. Eliminate technology distractions and you will find it easier to be present for your children and engage in making memories last with them.

Reminiscing With Your Children

I’ve mentioned in my post “How your kids will love bedtime” that when I lay my kids to rest, I recap the day with them. I think this is a wonderful way to form memories with your child. It is easy for a kid to feel overwhelmed with new things their learning, emotions they feel, and questions about the world that they let their day slip by without appreciating what happened to them. When you talk through the events of the day with them, your child’s brain remembers them better.

Giving them Space

I read an article once that pointed out something I found very interesting. Think back to one of your best childhood memories. Who were you with? What were you doing? Oftentimes the best memories are when children feel autonomous and adventurous, without their parents. Giving our children space can sometimes be just what they need to make memorable moments.

Making memories last with your kids doesn’t have to take a lot of effort or expense. Kids don’t need a Disney land vacation and a ton of Christmas presents to feel nostalgic reminiscing about their childhood. If you make an effort to be present in your interactions with them, recap their good times, and give them space to explore on their own, your children will surely have memories they fondly think upon even as they grow old.