Making Memories in the Moment

I love this reader submitted photo of a family enjoying a moment to savor a sunset, hold hands, breathe and take it all in for a moment.   Of course it makes a beautiful Kodak moment, but it’s also an instant reminder to slow down.  We try to do this whenever we can, but it takes time, precious time.  While walking to the bus stop in the morning, we will talk about morning dew, look at the prairie grass and flowers, or pause at the house with the relaxing, gurgling fountain in their front yard for all of us to enjoy.  We take the dogs on a walk and laugh at all that they find interesting along the way.  We talk to our neighbors, wave at the UPS driver and mailman, and pick up trash that someone else left behind.  These memories may not seem significant at a glance, but when you add them up day after day, they provide the foundation of the examples we set for our kids.  Are we teaching them to rush and hurry 24/7 or are we modeling that it’s okay to take our time and to observe and absorb what’s around us.

One of my favorite parenting tips is that children model what we do, not what we say….I do believe actions speak louder than words!