collect moments of JOY

Childhood is a priceless time in life that we look back on fondly, and never get back. As parents, we want our children to have wonderful memories, whether out of nostalgia for our own childhood, or the determination that our kids never experience some of the things we went through.

We want our kids to have great experiences, and to grow up with memories they too can look back on fondly; however, they can’t do that if they are always looking down at a screen or sitting in front of the television all day. A truly joyful life is one filled with great memories. Here are some ways we can help our children value life a little more and collect moments of joy.

give them less
It may shock you to learn that children who have fewer toys are actually happier. We all love those crazy Christmases where the whole living room is filled with paper wrap, but the dozens of toys crowding your child’s room may actually distract them from quality play time.

Instead, limit the toys to just ones your child genuinely loves and plays with, but don’t limit it based on what you think they should love best. An old broken toy may be a beloved favorite, while the shiny expensive toy you just bought might be collecting dust in a corner. And, how often have we found that our kids get excited to play with just the packaging? What’s great is that it encourages children to tap into their imagination. Fewer toys also help children to appreciate what they have, which will help them later in life.

make quality time a priority
As busy parents, it’s easy to put off potential moments of quality time. There are so many things to get done, and exhaustion after a busy workday can make just hanging out in front of the TV so tempting. Kids don’t stay kids forever though, and you’ll soon find those moments have slipped by.

Make time for bedtime stories, for reading under the covers, for those special moments learning how to bake cookies. These are moments you’ll never get back. When your children are grown, you probably won’t remember all those times you sat in front of the TV, but you will remember that time you shared an ice cream at the spray park.

teaching kids to enjoy those moments as well
We want our kids to be able to have lasting memories that they’ve collected all on their own. Help them to appreciate the moments, whether small or big, that they have each and every day. The beauty of autumn leaves, the comfort of a warm fire, the kindness of a friend— it’s these moments that bring forth a deeper feeling of joy.

Joy is everywhere. If we just take the time to look for it, we can improve both the lives of our children and our own.

books that will bring joy to our little ones
Here are some books to help encourage our kids to find, know and understand joy. Joy by Corrinne Averiss tells the story of little Fern who goes on a search to bring joy back to her Nana. All My Treasures: A Book of Joy by Jo Witek is a fun book full of surprises hidden behind illustrated flaps that share the message that what brings us joy isn’t always found in material things. A Moment in Time by Jennifer Butenas is a perfect read about a family vacation capturing simple, happy moments together.