This time of year always reminds me
of the memories and traditions I had as a child. As a parent, I now understand
how difficult it can be creating and maintaining some of these traditions.
On Halloween, we scramble around
trying to get the perfect costume for our children, rush out of work to meet
those trick-or-treating hours, and try to squeeze in dinner along the way. Seems like more of a hassle than anything
else. With that being said, I never
remember Halloween feeling like a hassle when I was a child. I am sure it was
for my parents, but they never let that get in the way of our experiences. I can still remember the stops we made every
year and where all of the “good treats” came from. And looking back, our journey around the
countryside was so much more than getting candy. Packing in a van with pillowcases in hand was
something I looked forward to all year. My cousins, siblings, and I shared so
many laughs and moments we still treasure and reminisce about.
I have similar memories from
holidays in November and December. Regardless of how hectic the holiday season
became, my parents made sure every moment was special for my siblings and me. Whether
it was dinner with extended family, baking cookies, or watching National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation,
these became memories I will always cherish.
I am sure we all have traditions or
memories from our childhood that stand out in our mind. Chances are, a lot of
them are centered on the holiday season. This tends to be the time that, regardless of
how busy our lives are, we take the time to do special things with the
important people in our lives.
Becoming a parent has really opened
my eyes to the importance of making the most of every second. It seems like our
children grow up in the blink of an eye. Our lives are hectic: our children are
involved in countless activities, it seems like our houses become cluttered by
the second, and every time you turn around, the mess you just cleaned up has reappeared. Personally, I often feel defeated
by the stack of papers I have to grade, lessons to prepare for, dishes to
clean, laundry to fold, etc., but I have made a personal promise to myself and
my children to give them my undivided attention for 15 to 30 minutes every
night regardless of how busy our schedules are for the day.
Setting aside this time with my family to do
something from our seasonal activity wall has proved to be a magical experience
for all of us. Whether it is going on a
nature walk, baking, painting a picture together, taking a trip to the library,
or some other random craft, I have
realized that I don’t have to wait for holidays and special occasions to create
memories and traditions with my children that will last. The dishes, laundry, and madness of daily routines
will always be there waiting, but my children will only be young for a short
period of time. I don’t want to look back on the memories we shared, wishing I
would have spent more time with them. I want them to know right now that they
are my number one priority.
If your children are grown, or you
are not a parent yourself, this message still applies. Don’t wait to spend time
with those people that mean the most to you in your life. Don’t let the
opportunity to create memories and traditions slip by. Too often we find
ourselves looking back wishing we would have spent more time with children, called
our mom more often, or made extra time to listen to our grandparents’ stories. Stress
and chaos can hinder our outlook on what is important in the moment. Don’t let
the time pass you by before it is too late.
So, as you prepare for
Trick-or-Treating, in the madness of the event, think about the traditions and
memories you are creating with your child. Enjoy the chaos of the holidays.
When your children look back on their childhood, chances are they won’t
remember your stress, they will cherish the time you spent with them.
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