​Find a quiet time and hold your baby facing you. Look into her eyes and tell her a happy memory from her short life. If your only quiet time is when she’s sleeping, that’s okay. Whisper to her while she sleeps. 

Show your toddler a recent picture or video of him, something from yesterday, a few days ago, or the last couple of weeks. Point to the people and objects in the picture or video. Ask him, “what do you see?”
​Tell him more about what was happening when the photo or video was taken. 

Ask your preschooler these questions:

1. Tell me something that happened yesterday.
2. Tell me something that happened a little bit ago.
3. Tell me something that happened on (an event she would remember like a holiday, birthday)
4. Tell me something that happened a long time ago.

Write down her answers. Or, if you like, record the answers to her questions.

Rather than reflecting back on a memory, instead think ahead. You are living through a unique time with your child.
In the future, what do you want your memories of this time to be?
What can you do to start making those experiences a reality?

As always, thank you for being with me on this journey. Take what is helpful from this post and make it your own. It’s not about following the prompts exactly. It’s all about making meaningful memories with your children. Something you’re already doing. You’ve been doing it all along. And you always will.
 
With love,
Angela

​Tips: Help your baby practice sitting by:

1. Cut a sturdy box in half diagonally, reinforce with packing tape or duct tape if needed. This gives you a sturdy corner for baby to sit in. Sit in front of him to give him something fun to look at

2. Remove the cushions from the couch and prop him in the corner, stay close just in case

​3. Prop him in the corner of a laundry basket with a few toys
​
4. Sit on the floor with your legs out and position him face out so he can lean against you and put his hands on your legs for support

In & Out & On the Go!

Game 1:
Fill that box up with books, canned goods, or even rocks. Heck, throw in a brother or sister if you have one hanging around. Now, encourage your toddler to push that box around the house. She may find emptying and filling the box just as entertaining.

Game 2:
Put your toddler in the box and push her around. Encourage language skills by saying “Ready? Set?” and then move on “Go!” After she gets used to this, pause and wait for her to say “Go!” You can also add in fast, slow, front, back and even spin and really get the conversation going. 

Imagination box
Really a box is anything and everything to a preschooler. Give him some markers, crayons, or paints. Let him make his own house, store, or vehicle. Give him some time to creat on his own. Later, ask him about the box and what he was able to imagine. You might be surprised at all a box can be!

If you're a parent, chances are you have a thing or two laying around the house. Maybe a pile of toys? Maybe some knick-knacks here and there?
Take one box and fill it.
Maybe you're one of those parents with a really clean house. Even so, I'd guess you might have stuff tucked in your drawers and cupboards you’ve thought about cleaning out or giving away.
Or you have stuff laying around because you haven't had the time or the energy to figure out where they go. That’s fine because for now, they go in this box. It doesn’t have to be a big one. There’s no need to clean the whole house, or even a room, just fill a box. You can deal with that stuff later.