4 Amazing Free Things To Pass Down To Your Kids
As we get older, we can accumulate a lot of stuff. Some of it has value, while some don't. It can be tempting to pile all of our worldly goods away and leave them behind for our kids to inherit after we have gone. Unfortunately, in many circumstances, the sentimental value that we place on these items isn't inherited by our offspring. Instead, these items are sold, donated, or simply taken to the dump. We can’t expect our children to want every knickknack that we own; this just isn't reasonable. With families, homes, and a taste all their own, it stands to reason that our children will only keep the few most memorable pieces that hold the most sentimental value for them. Instead of passing along material things, we should focus on creating memories that will last a lifetime. Giving our children valuable lessons and information will help them get to know both you and themselves better and will deepen the meaning of their lives. Plus, it will give them memories that they can hold on to and stories that they can pass on to their own children. These are the things that will withstand the tests of time and last long after our time here has passed.
What can I pass on to my children?
The number of non-materialistic things you can pass on to your children is endless. Every bit of knowledge and every lesson you give them will help shape them and add value to their lives. Plus, you will make memories in the process.
One of the most important things that you can do is spend time with your children by finding things to do together that you can both enjoy. Fill this time with love and laughter, and most importantly, make the most of these moments together.
Consider passing these things on to your children:
1. A sports team to love
It is so much more fun to cheer on a sports team that you love with the people you love cheering alongside you. Instilling a love for a sport in your children will teach them so many valuable lessons about teamwork and good sportsmanship. Plus, it will always give you something to talk about, even once they have grown up and started families of their own.
Fostering the love of a specific sports team with your children will allow you to teach them about the history of the sport and the team itself and will give you ample opportunity to spend time together as you watch the big game and cheer your team on to success. One day, when you are no longer there to share in these games with your kids, they can watch on and remember with fondness all of the memories that you shared together.
2. A sports team to “hate”
Passing down a sports team to love to your children can be a lot of fun, but nothing compares to passing along a sports team that you "hate." Nothing beats that feeling of good-natured rivalry when your favorite team beats out the "hated" competition. Just imagine all the bragging rights and exciting conversations that will last through the decades as you relive these moments of great success. They will be memories that your children continue to cherish forever.
3. A shared hobby
Sharing a hobby with your children is an excellent way to spend time with them. It also passes along new skills that they will carry with them into adulthood and beyond. When children take up hobbies, they learn further information about the world around them and develop new skills and more profound confidence in their abilities.
The list of hobbies that you can choose from is endless. Consider activities like hunting, fishing, geocaching, and camping if your kids enjoy spending time outdoors. If your children are artistic, try introducing them to crafts, scrapbooking, painting, or crocheting. Or perhaps your kids would prefer to collect stamps, coins, action figures, or model cars.
Whatever hobby you choose to introduce your children to, make sure it is something that you both enjoy doing together. This activity will give you both a common bond that you can talk about and engage in throughout your lives. It also gives you the opportunity to create special memories that will withstand the test of time and will be passed along through the generations.
4. Your heritage and family story
Your Family Story history is an integral part of your children's identity. The people who came before you all have an important story to tell, and sharing this story with your kids will give them a deeper understanding of who they are and where they came from. This knowledge will play a crucial role in boosting their self-confidence and self-worth and helping to shape their future.
Spend time with your children and tell them everything you know about their grandparents and their family tree. Share stories, pictures, and family heirlooms. Visit other relatives and family friends and take the time to discover who your ancestors were. You can even spend time learning about the different cultures and countries that make up your heritage and perhaps even plan a family vacation to these locales one day.
Embrace the traditions of your cultures and use these to create memories that will be shared for years to come.
As a parent, it is our job to pass things along to our children. Whether it be life lessons, or values and beliefs, we are constantly giving things to our kids that they will carry with them for the duration of our journey. While many parents emphasize passing along family heirlooms and material possessions, some of the most important things that we can pass down to our kids aren't tangible at all.
Whether you choose to give your children a sports team to love, a hobby to enjoy, or knowledge about the genealogy and heritage that makes them who they are, it is crucial to know that the memories these things provide will long outlast any material goods. They will give them something positive to remember and will be something that they cherish their entire lives.
