pulled out the baby books the other day to see some of the lovable things I selected to write down when my kids were very small.
June 14, 1998 – I changed a light bulb and 2-year-old Melissa came over, with a hand on her hip, looked up and said, ‘What in the world is going on?!”
May 5, 2001 – David, at 17 months, was in the crib and when he woke up he said, “Du, Du, Du, Goo” (Duck, Duck, Duck, Goose). How adorable. He’s adorable even when he cries.
March 6, 2002 – David, Melissa, and mommy are playing spaceship. David states he’s the captain titled “Dude”. Melissa is “Cindy” the robot and they are calling me “Riffer” the dog.
Baby books are very important because they help us remember our children’s actual words and thinking and innocence when they were so very small. I know it’s hard to keep up with it—especially if you have more than one child. I know you think you’ll remember the things they say, but without recording them on paper there is not a chance of recalling very much. Even when I tell myself, “You should remember this moment forever—it was so adorable and so priceless.” I find that even one or two days later, I struggle to think of the details and recount their actual words or actions if it hasn’t been committed to ink on paper. So I want to encourage you to keep writing in that baby book….but I also want you to know that this is only the beginning.
What else should you be writing down as a parent? Here are 4 things you should always be thinking about and recording when you have a chance:
1) Tell them about the people that matter. Someday, maybe not immediately, they will benefit from knowing as much as they can about your parents, grandparents, special aunts and uncles, and others who helped you become who you are. What are your memories of these special people? Are they alive and well and still healthy to tell their own life stories (not just genealogy information)? Younger generations can learn so much about our country’s history—from their own family’s appearance (not just their Social Studies book someday).
2) Tell them about you as a tiny person. Your kids will have the opportunity to achievement in your shoes and to comprehend what it was like when you were a child. Our kids can see us as more than just mom or papa when we share stories from our youth. In fact, many of us will have experienced our kids saying, “Tell me a story from when you were a tiny girl (or tiny boy).” Seize the opportunity to tell them some of your backyard adventures or crazy family vacations.
3) Tell them about the “Real World” and some of the joys and challenges of growing up. Love, jobs and careers, raising children, and more are all part of the complexities of life. It is wonderful for kids to have a recording of how you felt the first time you held apiece child in your arms. Through it all, you can show that despite life being difficult at times, you’ve prefabricated it through and you’ve gained some wisdom along the way.
4) Tell them what matters most. What are truly the most important things in life? This is your opportunity to record some of your own individualized values or some of your family’s beliefs that you want to be sure are remembered for all time….take care of the earth, commit to lasting relationships, follow your faith, honor your elders, and more. Share your hopes and dreams for their future too—and even write to your future grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
I know you don’t need one more thing to do, but creating a lasting legacy isn’t something you should discount or leave to chance. Delaying isn’t a good intent either—each day of life is truly a gift and we don’t have to be 80 or 90 to do this. Envision those writings impacting not just your own kids but generations to come. And just like those baby book memories with “Dude”, Cindy the robot, and Riffer the dog flying around on a spaceship in the family room, the recordings of people, memories, wisdom, and values have a chance to be remembered too.
About the author:
Beth Sanders is a legacy expert, founder of LifeBio.com, and author of the Memory Journal. In 1993, she interviewed her own grandmother and realized that she never knew her as well as she could or should until that day. Her passion for family history and stories has helped thousands to preserve relationships and create a lasting legacy. LifeBio has appeared in the Wall Street Journal, Associated Press stories, the Chicago Tribune, and she has appeared on numerous broadcasting programs including Satellite Sisters, Life Online with Bob Parsons, and Coping with Caregiving.
June 14, 1998 – I changed a light bulb and 2-year-old Melissa came over, with a hand on her hip, looked up and said, ‘What in the world is going on?!”
May 5, 2001 – David, at 17 months, was in the crib and when he woke up he said, “Du, Du, Du, Goo” (Duck, Duck, Duck, Goose). How adorable. He’s adorable even when he cries.
March 6, 2002 – David, Melissa, and mommy are playing spaceship. David states he’s the captain titled “Dude”. Melissa is “Cindy” the robot and they are calling me “Riffer” the dog.
What else should you be writing down as a parent? Here are 4 things you should always be thinking about and recording when you have a chance:
1) Tell them about the people that matter. Someday, maybe not immediately, they will benefit from knowing as much as they can about your parents, grandparents, special aunts and uncles, and others who helped you become who you are. What are your memories of these special people? Are they alive and well and still healthy to tell their own life stories (not just genealogy information)? Younger generations can learn so much about our country’s history—from their own family’s appearance (not just their Social Studies book someday).
2) Tell them about you as a tiny person. Your kids will have the opportunity to achievement in your shoes and to comprehend what it was like when you were a child. Our kids can see us as more than just mom or papa when we share stories from our youth. In fact, many of us will have experienced our kids saying, “Tell me a story from when you were a tiny girl (or tiny boy).” Seize the opportunity to tell them some of your backyard adventures or crazy family vacations.
3) Tell them about the “Real World” and some of the joys and challenges of growing up. Love, jobs and careers, raising children, and more are all part of the complexities of life. It is wonderful for kids to have a recording of how you felt the first time you held apiece child in your arms. Through it all, you can show that despite life being difficult at times, you’ve prefabricated it through and you’ve gained some wisdom along the way.
4) Tell them what matters most. What are truly the most important things in life? This is your opportunity to record some of your own individualized values or some of your family’s beliefs that you want to be sure are remembered for all time….take care of the earth, commit to lasting relationships, follow your faith, honor your elders, and more. Share your hopes and dreams for their future too—and even write to your future grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
I know you don’t need one more thing to do, but creating a lasting legacy isn’t something you should discount or leave to chance. Delaying isn’t a good intent either—each day of life is truly a gift and we don’t have to be 80 or 90 to do this. Envision those writings impacting not just your own kids but generations to come. And just like those baby book memories with “Dude”, Cindy the robot, and Riffer the dog flying around on a spaceship in the family room, the recordings of people, memories, wisdom, and values have a chance to be remembered too.
About the author:
Beth Sanders is a legacy expert, founder of LifeBio.com, and author of the Memory Journal. In 1993, she interviewed her own grandmother and realized that she never knew her as well as she could or should until that day. Her passion for family history and stories has helped thousands to preserve relationships and create a lasting legacy. LifeBio has appeared in the Wall Street Journal, Associated Press stories, the Chicago Tribune, and she has appeared on numerous broadcasting programs including Satellite Sisters, Life Online with Bob Parsons, and Coping with Caregiving.
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