Creating Great Family Memories

What is it that tips the balance towards good or negative memories in our childhood? One thing I am eternally grateful for is that although my Dad could have done so, he never made one negative remark about my mother who left the family when I was 14 months old. He had every opportunity to do so, but he shielded my brother and I from his grief, which allowed our childhood memories to be happy ones.

The mind is a wonderful thing when it comes to forgetting certain events. Mothers tend to forget their labors between pregnancies, until the very first pain of the next labor. Then they think, ‘Oh, no! Whose bright idea was it to have another baby?’ Why do they forget this negative experience? Because the long lasting reward far outweighs the short period of discomfort that preceded it.

When you look back on your own childhood experience, what comes to your mind? Do you immediately think of happy times such as family vacations, laughter, adventures, and achievements? Or do you only recall sadness, regret, and negative family experiences? What do you think your parents could have done to make your memories positive?

Now you are parents and you have the responsibility of creating happy memories for your kids. Here are some suggestions. Involve yourself in your kids’ lives. Find out what they are interested in and encourage them to follow their dreams (not yours). Encourage excellence without creating so much pressure that the activity becomes a drag. Let your kids, within reason, choose the fun or vacation activities and make sure that, within your weekly plan, you set aside special time with each child. “What family plan?” I hear some of you say. Well, there is another thing that will help your family achieve more. Instead of lurching from one circumstance to the next, claim the time and make schedules. This will teach your kids to be planners and be goal orientated. Make sure you and your kids have plenty of positive friends. Check the atmosphere in your home and insist on positive communication. Encourage your kids to read. Knowledge is a powerful and stimulating tool. Let your kids play in the mud. Praise one another. We humans always respond positively to encouragement. Show your kids how to keep a journal of vacations and everyday experiences. Take plenty of pictures. These are great ways to record memories. Life is short. We don’t get to practice. This is it. We can choose to create great memories for ourselves, and our kids. Let’s just do it.

If you have any comments or success stories about creating positive memories for your family, please contact us on www.forefrontfamilies.org