Kristin Hill Taylor

Seeking God as the Author of Every Story

How to create memories

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I’m in a season of wanting to create memories and remember these days of having kids who are on the verge of really growing up. They’re 16, 13, and 7 right now — and these days won’t last for long. I’m hoping creating and documenting memories helps me appreciate the season we are in and what’s still to come. 

These shared experiences not only strengthen the bond between parents and children, but they also contribute to their emotional and even cognitive development. With that in mind, here are some of the best ways to do it. 

Have traditions 

Traditions are a great way to make some important memories, and they work so well because they are repeated time and time again, enabling everyone to get to know them well and remember them much better. 

Your traditions could be a weekly movie night, a yearly weekend trip, a special Christmas celebration, or perhaps you hire a family photographer every year for a special portrait. These traditions offer you and your children an opportunity to really connect. As they get older, their role can change, so they start to take ownership and then continue those traditions with their own families. 

We have traditions that involve extended relatives and friends who are like family. Of course, the traditions with the five of us are special – and change with the season!

Game nights 

Game nights are an enjoyable and interactive way to create memories while strengthening family bonds at the same time. Gather a selection of age-appropriate board games or card games and set aside dedicated time to play them together. (Here are some of our favorites!)

When you are having friendly little competitions like this, you can really enjoy being together and having fun, and the memories you all make during this time will definitely last. Laughter is a good catalyst for sweet memories. Game nights can also be the ideal opportunity to teach your child new skills — and give them a break from screens. 

Creative play

Children have unlimited imaginations, and creative play is an amazing way to tap into this incredible resource. Make sure you encourage your children to express themselves through play, art, music, or perhaps storytelling in their own way. Give them a dedicated space to do this in the home, and in this way, they can really explore their passions. 

Being free to do the things they want to do in this way will help to cement these good feelings as memories, and if you were to join in with them, they would remember them even more. Whether it’s painting, building forts, putting on a puppet show, or singing some songs together, you’ll create lasting memories and do wonders for your child’s development at the same time. 

It’s not as creative, but I’m finding myself loving the times in the passenger seat teaching my oldest to drive. It’s a necessary step, but it’s allowed sole sweet memories to happen between us. 

Serve together

Engaging in acts of kindness and giving back to the community can create some wonderful memories for children and adults alike. If you are doing some volunteering, involve your children as much as you can, as long as what they are doing is age-appropriate and safe. We like to include our kids in service projects we do with our church and school friends. 

By experiencing the impact of their actions firsthand, children will develop empathy and a sense of responsibility toward others, but more than this, these experiences can be some of their fondest memories because they got to do something good and spend time with you. 

How do you like to spend time with your kids or other youngsters in your life? 

Help kids have healthy eating habits

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I have one kid who loves to eat meat. I have one daughter who loves vegetables. And I have a third daughter who grazes but eats a variety of foods. I’m not a strict mom when it comes to food choices, but I do prioritize sitting down to dinner together. Of course, those dinner meals aren’t always smooth, people often have complaints about food, and I have to remind at least one kid to sit down. 

In addition to prioritizing family dinners, I also want to champion healthy eating at our home. Here are some ways we can do that:

Make cooking a family activity

Most of us take more interest in meals we have made ourselves, and we’re more inclined to give new dishes a go if we’ve played a part in their creation. There will be times parents (me definitely included!) want a quick, easy dish for the family with minimal hassle, but it’s a great idea to let your children help out if you have time. Make cooking a family-friendly activity, let your children help out in the kitchen, and encourage them to share ideas for dishes they’d like to try to cook with you. When I need meal ideas, I often find inspiration in my kids’ suggestions. They know how to add foods to our grocery list, thanks to Alexa. Of course, sometimes I Google quick, simple ideas like a garlic aioli recipe or other side dishes.  

Talk to children about nutrition

When promoting healthy eating, nutrition not dieting should be the focus. Each body is reliant on the nutrients it needs to function properly. Talk to your kids about why healthy eating is beneficial, highlight the benefits of eating different foods, and explain what different ingredients and products offer. 

I try to include a fruit or vegetable with almost every meal we make at home, even if that’s sliced apples with the Red Baron pizza. I know my youngest two kids are less likely to eat sauteed vegetables with the rest of us, so I will often cut up a cucumber for them to share. Feeding your family doesn’t have to be complicated!

Of course, food fuels us physically, but I believe food can be the catalyst to deep, meaningful relationships too. I wrote a whole book about that.

Make mealtimes enjoyable

It’s important for children to have a positive relationship with food, but it’s not always easy to achieve this goal. If you’re eager to encourage your kids to embrace healthy eating, make mealtimes enjoyable. Sit down together as much as possible, chat about the day, catch up, and put phones and devices down. Take this time to engage with each other. This month we’ve started an “Attitude of Gratitude” activity during which each person names what they’re thankful for from that day. I record the gratitude gifts in a journal. (And, yes, I’ve referenced Ben Rector’s song “Thank You” as we do this.)

Most parents go through times when getting children to try new foods or eat healthily is a challenge. If you’re keen to encourage your kids to take an interest in healthy eating, cook together, try new recipes, talk to your children about the importance of nutrition, and make mealtimes a fun, regular part of the day.

Also, I need meal inspiration, if anyone has any easy, delicious recipes to send my way!

Sharing more stories on the porch

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I want more ways to hang out on my porch and swap stories with friends.

We are currently renovating our deck at our house so it’s bigger and opens toward our new pool. I’m excited to grill out and gather around that table while people swim.

Meawhile, I’m starting another way to share more #PorchStories online.

In these cases, more really is better.

I love how women connect at my weekly #PorchStories linkup and I’m looking forward to connecting more at my new Facebook group. You don’t have to be a regular at the linkup, and you don’t even have to be a blogger.

Stories connect us as we seek
God as the author of them all.

{Tweet that.}

I wish I could have you all over to my real-life in porch in Kentucky. Until that day happens, I’m hoping y’all will gather with me on my virtual porch. This is {another} place for women to gather and swap real-life stories. Let’s encourage each other to fix our eyes on Jesus and be changed from the inside out. Let’s choose joy wherever we are.

*****

It’s Friday! I’m joining Kate Motaung for Five Minute Friday. Each week she has a one-word prompt and writers write for five minutes flat. This week’s prompt is MORE. Come join us!