I pulled out the baby books to see some of the adorable things I chose to record when my kids were very small. (Stay with me...In a minute, I'll tell you the connection between baby books and recording life stories.)
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 cute even when he cries.
March 6, 2002 – David, Melissa, and mommy are playing spaceship. David says he’s the captain named “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 cute 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 or grandparent? 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 able 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 perspective (not just their Social Studies book someday).
2) Tell them about you as a little person. Your children will have the opportunity to walk in your shoes and to understand what it was like when you were a child. Our kids can see us as more than just mom or dad when we share stories from our youth. In fact, many of us will have experienced our children saying, “Tell me a story from when you were a little girl (or little 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 each child in your arms. Through it all, you can show that despite life being difficult at times, you’ve made 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 personal 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 idea either—each day of life is truly a gift and we don’t have to be 80 or 90 to do this. Imagine those writings impacting not just your own children 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.
Have more questions? Need information? Want to start recording memories for grandchildren? Call 1-866-543-3246 or 937-303-4576 or Email us at info@lifebio.com
www.lifebio.com
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 cute even when he cries.
March 6, 2002 – David, Melissa, and mommy are playing spaceship. David says he’s the captain named “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 cute 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 or grandparent? 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 able 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 perspective (not just their Social Studies book someday).
2) Tell them about you as a little person. Your children will have the opportunity to walk in your shoes and to understand what it was like when you were a child. Our kids can see us as more than just mom or dad when we share stories from our youth. In fact, many of us will have experienced our children saying, “Tell me a story from when you were a little girl (or little 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 each child in your arms. Through it all, you can show that despite life being difficult at times, you’ve made 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 personal 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 idea either—each day of life is truly a gift and we don’t have to be 80 or 90 to do this. Imagine those writings impacting not just your own children 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.
Have more questions? Need information? Want to start recording memories for grandchildren? Call 1-866-543-3246 or 937-303-4576 or Email us at info@lifebio.com
www.lifebio.com
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