Storytelling, Shared Memories, & the Gift of Connection

Want to connect more with your kids over the holidays? Consider the benefit of storytelling and shared memories. It’s a strange and wonderful gift. One that I discovered almost by accident.

A few years back my parents decided they wanted a different kind of Christmas gift. Instead of a wrapped present, they asked me (and each of my siblings) to write a story—or more precisely a memory. It could be from our childhood or otherwise. The only rule was that it had to be ready to share with the whole family on Christmas Day.

More than stories and shared memories

None of us really understood what a treasure this ritual would become. Our kids absolutely love hearing what their parents were like when they were younger. It seems that passing along memories is one of those foundational building blocks we can use to create stronger parent-child bonds. 

In this episode:

• Stories connect. By telling stories from the past we become more relatable to one another in the present.
• Strong but vulnerable. Kids appreciate when we let our guard down. Telling real stories from our youth is one way to demonstrate our vulnerability.
• My memory story. Listen to hear the memory I have prepared this year to share with my family at Christmastime. 

Episode challenge

Sometime this week, share a “when I was your age” story with your kids. No need to write it out or prepare anything in advance. Just think of a fun or interesting experience that your kids have never heard you share before. Who knows, your kids might start to see you not just as a parent—but as a real human too!

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Links/Resources

Ep. #2-45, Tech-Free or Tech-Friendly? Finding the Perfect Gift for Kids.

Ep. #2-26, What Teens Want Parents to Know About the Porn Talk with Creed Orme, Reach 10

The Conversation—‘Remember when we…?’ Why sharing memories is soul food

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Media Savvy Moms Podcast

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