We share lots of things with our kids: DNA, our attitudes, our neuroses, certain phrases we use, types of food we like, and much more.
One of the things I have always loved doing is introducing my kids to things that I loved when I was younger.
- The Anne of Green Gables books and movies (for Anne)
- Breakfast Puffs
- Various musicals
- Star Wars (starting with the original trilogy, of course)
- Peppernuts, peanut butter balls, caramels, crescents, and all the other special Christmas treats from our family traditions
- Pajamas for Christmas Eve
- Games like Yahtzee and Blewitt
There are so many foods, movies, games, and activities that bring back such good memories for me and I want my kids to have those same kinds of memories.
A couple of weeks ago, Mike and I got to watch Batman (Michael Keaton, Jack Nicholson version that I watched I don’t even know how many times at the theater when it came out) with Ty and he loved it. Then yesterday, SyFy was running a Batman marathon so Ty and I curled up on the couch and watched Batman Returns, Batman Forever and Batman and Robin. He was in heaven. Those movies are right up his alley and he loved every minute. And I was pretty happy, too, just watching him enjoy the movies and enjoying them myself. As we talked about things like the changes in Batman – Michael Keaton to Val Kilmer to George Clooney – and the stories of Robin, Batgirl, and even the nature of the Mr. Freeze character who does good in the end, it was fun to relive some of my past and share that with my son.
At the end of the day, I asked him what he thought and he was so excited and told me it was a great way to spend an Sunday afternoon and evening. And I agreed.
What are some of the things from your past that you enjoy sharing with your kids?