Every Day Moments That Matter to Children, Teens, & Adult Children
- Angie Viola
- May 8, 2022
- 6 min read
Updated: 6 days ago
Jump to - 15 Moments that Matter Most to Kids
Jump to - 15 Moments that Matter Most to Teens
Enjoy Every Moment with Your Kids
The best years of my life were raising my children, and I wouldn't give those years up for anything! So many memories, and so much fun was had at each stage of my children's lives.
Every moment was cherished, and every last bit of love squeezed out of every second!
The importance of my role as mother became very clear early on, for I realized my children were soaking up everything I shared with them like little sponges!
I remember thinking, "Mothering is my God-given opportunity to share the love of Christ with my children, so I better make the most of it!" And I did.
I had the awesome pleasure of leading my two little kindergarteners to the Lord during a homeschool lesson on forgiveness!
Don't Forget to Laugh with Your Kids
Yesterday, I went to the greenhouse to purchase some ferns for my front porch and I couldn't help but remember taking my little kids to the greenhouse with me --they hated it!!
I had a very bad habit of taking FOREVER in greenhouses! My kids knew this about me and loathed my shopping for plants and flowers.
Till this day, I'm not sure why I insisted on taking my kids to the greenhouse with me.
Every Spring, I made my way to a hot, crowded, never-ending flower producing place, and took my good ole time looking around.
After a while my kids would get bored and frustrated and would start poking me until I had enough. We would end up laughing, and then leaving --just like they wanted.
We laughed at the craziness of it all. There was no shouting or screaming.
Now, as I walk into the greenhouse...all those memories flood into my heart.
I treasure those times we we had together. Even though I had to go back to the greenhouse later to purchase my plants. I probably was taking too long for the kiddos, but we turned a frustrating moment into a special moment that bonded us together.
These are the little moments that count big.
Both of my children are adults now, and you know what they have told me? Whenever they walk into a greenhouse, they think of me --their mom, and all the fun times we had shopping for flowers together. What? Really? How cool.
Isn't that amazing? They remember the greenhouse being fun! How did that happen?
Create Moments That Last a Lifetime
It's funny, but I didn't know we were creating memories while we were browsing flowers in the greenhouse so long ago now --but we were!
We are creating memories every moment we are with our children, whether they are adults or kids. We live out our lives every day and don't stop to consider how each moment builds upon another.
Special Moments Glue The Family Together
Last night, while working out at the local gym, I witnessed a young family making memories.
I was seated on a workout machine next to a window where I could watch people entering and leaving the mall's main entrance.
Some strange movement caught my attention and I turned to see a young girl, maybe 10 years-old, dancing in the parking lot by her vehicle.
Suddenly, a two-year old girl appeared and joined her older sister. Within seconds, both of them were doing the twist in the mall's parking lot.
A woman, whom I gathered to be their mom, took a few steps towards the mall and tugged on the two-year old girl's hand and danced a little herself. They were excited to be going to the mall together, and all of them expressed their happiness by way of acting silly in the moment. Kids love it when their parents act silly.
Out from behind the mini-van came a man and a 15-year old boy, apparently from the same family. They spoke a few words then raced each other to the mall's entrance. They too, were excited to be spending time together as a family.
I watched them enter the mall together, and they were happy. This dancing, racing family, knew how to let their hair down and have some fun, and all they were doing was going to the mall on a Friday night!
It doesn't take much time or money to make memorable moments with your kids.
Little Actions Make a Big Difference
It's the little things like going to the greenhouse, or visiting the mall, that make the difference in your child's memories.
We don't always have to manufacture some great adventure or plan a huge vacation, or even put on a big party to bless or connect with our kids. It's the every day moments that matter most.
When kids can see mom having fun in the midst of a busy schedule, or watch dad laugh at mistakes instead of getting annoyed, or watch their parents dance with them in the mall parking lot, it makes all the difference in the world.
It speaks, "life is fun with each other."
Appreciate Your Kids
My kids still bring up things from their childhood and teen years that we still laugh about. Maybe it was something I did to embarrass them on accident. Or a funny blunder that was said. Whatever it was, it was funny, and it left a lasting impression, and they love to talk about it and laugh.
My daughter has a one-year old boy and they laugh and play together. She is teaching him to be silly. Isn't that cute? She wants to have fun with her kids too!
But, that isn't the greatest thing! What's awesome, is that my daughter wants to teach her little boy about God's ways as well. She wants to fulfill her God-given opportunity to mother her child.
Are you ready to make lasting memories with your children? Would you like to turn every day situations into moments that last a lifetime? How about connecting with them were they are at in right now? That's a good idea.
Browse the lists of inspirational ways to reach your children at any age.
15 Moments That Matter Most To Kids
When we tell them how special they are.
When we respond in love instead of shouting.
When we refrain from saying “NO” all the time, but listen to the reason behind the request.
When we listen to their stories, dreams, and ideas.
When we share funny things that happened in our life as a child.
When we reminisce of the good times.
When we rehearse their birth story.
When we love their father - a children's glory is their father (Proverbs 17:6).
When we respect them - they are little people with their own likes and dislikes.
When we dance and be silly with them.
When we find out what they are interested in and help them learn more about the subject.
When we teach them to read their Bibles at a young age.
When we talk of God's ways in the home.
When we discipline them right away (Proverbs 13:24).
When we hug them just because we love them.
15 Moments That Matter Most To Teenagers
When we tell them they are important to us.
When we are available to hear about their day.
When we ask questions and stay engaged.
When we ignore moodiness and don't take it personally.
When we have "the talk" with them.
When we share stories of when we were their age.
When we hug them A-LOT. They need affirmation of our love.
When we offer encouragement.
When we help them study.
When we make fun snacks for them after school.
When we take them out for fun shopping days.
When we stay engaged with school activities and know their friends.
When we faithfully take them to church.
When we encourage high moral standards. Teens need and appreciate boundaries.
When they see us reading our Bible.
15 Moments That Matter Most to Adult Children
When they hear us bragging about them.
When they know you are praying for them.
When we listen to their stories about work and life.
When we go out for coffee with them.
When we make their favorite meal and invite them over.
When we listen to their dreams and ideas without offering advice.
When we speak well of their father.
When we remind them of God's ways.
When we encourage faithful attendance to church.
When we uphold moral values.
When we visit their home and look at their projects.
When we acknowledge their birthday.
When we offer to help them in any way and follow through.
When we tell them we love them and support them.
When we tell them we are proud of who they have become.
© My Sun & Shade
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