5 Ways To Building Family Memories That Last A Lifetime #PlayAdvocate

5 Ways To Building Family Memories That Last A Lifetime #PlayAdvocate

This weekend when snuggling the kids into bed one of the boys said to me “Mommy that was the best weekend ever! I played soccer with Daddy, helped you clean the house, played with my brothers and sister, and we watched a family movie!” 

What he said just made me smile, because it is the little things that mean the most to our children. The one-on-ones, even if they are helping me complete my chores. It was Daddy taking 15 minutes to kick around soccer ball during a busy day of outside chores. It is about letting them have an unscheduled day to just BE A KID!

Building Family Memories

We’ve been trying to mix up our habits and routines. It is so simple to fall into habits that may be stripping your family from building family memories together. The week night routine of, homework, eat, clean, sleep and repeat, maybe stripping your family. Just like a baby’s schedule, we need to add playtime to our own schedules.

Here are a few ways you can build on your family’s memories. 

Start Traditions. It’s never too late to create new family traditions. One I hope to add into our routine is, game night! Now that our kids are getting older and no one is clearing the pieces off the game board, I think we can make this one possible.

Fun and interactive games like Card N Go Seek™ and Bounce-Off™ are two games I am confident our family would enjoy. How about giving one child each week an opportunity to pick the game you will play that night. This way, everyone gets to play their favourite game.

Take Photos. If you are a regular reader on inRdream.com you know how important capturing each moment of my family’s day is to me. Our children are growing so quickly and I want to be able to look back one day and remember when they were small. Remember when it was crazy hair day at school and they told me “This is the best day ever!”

Building Family Memories - Crazy Hair Day
Plan Ahead. I am a firm believer that if you plan, success will be on your side. This is true in so many parts of your life. It can be planning your next family vacation or just planning a family game night, planning is important for building your family’s memories. Try planning ahead this fall season to squeeze in all your family’s favourite fall activities, like the pumpkin patch or a road trip north to see the fall leaves.

Building Family Memories - Crazy Hair Day - Pumpkin Patch With Family

My sister suggested this year going to the local pumpkin patch as a family with Nana and Grandpa. We had an amazing day building family memories. The adults played like kids, and that is what the kids themselves liked best about our day.

Building Family Memories - Crazy Hair Day - Pumpkin Patch With Family

One-on-One. As I mentioned above, the importance of on-on-one can change your child’s day from, okay to incredible.

Whenever we are struggling with child emotions in our house, it typically is someone seeking out some mommy and daddy time alone without siblings around. In a big family one-on-one time is the biggest struggle we have as parents.

Keeping it simple is how we juggle it in. A quick snuggle in mommy’s bed to read a book. Or as I am tucking each child in at night I take a few minutes to look deep into their eyes and ask them a question. Kicking a soccer ball or a secret wink across the room. All these give them a feeling of love and at the same time building precious memories of the quality time spent together.

Keep it Manageable. While it can be tempting to totally overload yourself this fall season from creating the perfect homemade Halloween costumes to making everything for Thanksgiving dinner from scratch, try not to take on too much.

I have learnt over the years, it is not about going over board that the kids will notice, but it is about being present and “just being” is when we have the best days.

Too many items on your to-do list will leave you feeling stressed, rather than focussing on family time. I have learnt to say “no” and this has lighten my load, which ensures I am spending quality time with my family, and building memories for years to come!

Mattel Games™ is Generous!

One lucky reader will win a Mattel Games™ prize pack including; Card N Go Seek™ and Bounce-Off™ valued at $39.98.

Canada only (excludes Quebec), ends November 12th, 2015.

Mattel Games - Building Family Memories

Thank you for reading In R Dream!

Disclosure: I am a Play Advocate. As part of my affiliation with this group I receive products and special access to Mattel events and opportunities. The opinions on this blog are my own.

By entering the following contest you are accepting that if you win your contact information will be shared with a Mattel PR and shipping agency for the purpose of mailing your prize. Please allow 4-6 weeks from the contest closure date to receive your prize. All winners must be from within Canada.

This giveaway may appear on other blogs as part of the #PlayAdvocate program. However, to be fair, you can only win once per giveaway. If your name is chosen more than once, another winner will be selected. All winners must be from within Canada.



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