Experiences Necessary

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stuff

Like most moms, I seem to be the one responsible for all the “stuff” in our house. By stuff, I mean EVERYTHING that belongs to EVERYONE that resides in our house. Clothes, shoes, toys, you name it, I’m the one who buys it, washes it, and is constantly picking it up.

Since we have moved TWICE in the last eight months, I saw just how much stuff we, especially our children, actually own. I started thinking about all the money spent on birthday and Christmas presents over the years and wondered if my kids could even tell us what we got them last year. I’ll admit, I REALLY had to think about it to remember myself.

My son turns nine this month. For his birthday, I surprised him with a trip to Denver for an American Ninja ultimate experience. He started watching the show this past spring and was instantly HOOKED. He wanted to learn everything about them and he did…. spending countless hours watching videos on YouTube. He was able to have a one on one training session with his FAVORITE ninja, Flip Rodriguez. Flip even called him the day before we left to hype him up for the event!

The look in my son’s eyes all weekend while he ran, jumped, and played along side these athletes he admired so much, was worth EVERY penny.

It was then I decided that we need to put our money towards more EXPERIENCES for our children rather than stuff. We made memories that I know he will remember for the rest of his life… unlike that oh-s0-forgettable “stuff” he got last year. I’m already racking my brain on what to do for my daughter who turns twelve in December. This has become a great way to get some much needed one on one time with my kiddos.  I think it’s so important to foster those relationships individually away from family time.

Life gets so busy, it’s nice to just check in with each child and give them your undivided attention. I’m looking forward to making more memories with this new tradition we have started!

Now, I you will excuse me, I see a pile of “stuff” needing my attention.

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1 COMMENT

  1. This is so true! We took my daughter to seaworld for her 4th birthday and it was unforgettable! When we asked her about her birthday party on her 5th birthday she said she wanted to go somewhere else this year! This tells me the experiences of traveling and making family memories far exceeds loads of gifts and cake! So we have made it a tradition with all 4 of our children that we will go on a family trip for birthdays every other year instead of having a regular birthday party. Next year we will be busy traveling!

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