We had the television on watching a recorded program almost 2 weeks old. As we were watching, he said, “I can’t wait until we go on vacation. It will be so much fun and the memories will be amazing.”

Now that whole statement is true. And personally, I do hope we get to take a family vacation as we haven’t been in three years.

But it got me thinking. Why do we need a vacation to create memories?

We don’t. However, I do believe we look at our everyday as responsibilities and committed activities. Rarely do we see the opportunities to create memories.

Don’t put off your memories for tomorrow or worst yet a vacation. Make memories every day.

The K.I.S.S. ~ Make memories every day!

You get to enjoy the seconds, minutes, and hours of your day experiencing life with your child, not for your child.

I like to think of it as you are in the play, not directing the play. You and I as parents like to direct. But we also need to play!

So make memories every day.

1. Be present. You have to physically show up when you are with your children. Get off technology. Tune in to the voice of your child. Kill the distractions.
2. Actively listen. This might seem easy, however, it can be the most challenging skill. When you are actively listening, you are hearing their words and not what you are putting in their mouths as statements to come. No fill-in-the-blanks as a parent! One way you know you are doing this well is by reflecting back on what you hear. So if your child says, “There is a blue dragon in my bedroom that wakes me up at night.” You repeat back, “What you’re telling me is that there is a blue dragon in your bedroom that wakes you up in the middle of the night.” And if you get it wrong, then your child can correct you. And that’s a great thing!
3. Lead with an open mind. This helps you to commit to physical and verbal involvement. You cannot judge the moments. This means that you are open to possibilities for what’s to come and what will be exchanged in the moment. It’s not about creating an event around what you expect in the moment. You let it happen in real-time! And that’s hard to do as parents, because we like to control.

So many of these precious moments will be the ones remembered years to come.

Yes, taking vacations and all are great. But it doesn’t have to start there for what’s yours to take.

Make memories every day!

“Be present. Be incredible. Be YOU!!!“