Tag Archives: gratitude

Top 10 Reasons to Use THE BOOK OF YOU to Love Your Kids

Remember David Letterman’s Late Night Top 10 lists? I miss them. Here’s a new one –

Top 10 Reasons to fill out THE BOOK OF YOU: For My Child with Love (A Keepsake Journal) for your son or daughter

#10: to get out the crayons and draw stick figures and decorations, all in the name of parental love

#9: for an excuse to pull out those toddler photos that make your heart melt

#8: to apologize for that ONE time you made a parenting mistake

#7: to relive some sweet/ridiculous/proud moments from your son or daughter’s childhood

#6: to plant seeds for experiences you want to have with your child in the future

#5: to finally try your hand at doing one coloring page

#4: to give a big thank for the gifts and help your son or daughter has given you or others

#3: to revive that parent-cheering-wildly-in-the-audience feeling

#2: so your son or daughter can pull your love off the shelf whenever they need to feel it

#1: so your child never doubts your love

To Mom,

How would you answer these prompts for your mom? Here are a few of my answers in the journal I gave my lovely mom:

I. You might have thought I wasn’t listening, but I have. Here are a some life lessons I’ve learned from you…

Top 5 List

1. Be frugal, whether you need to be or not.

2. Eat healthily (no processed foods, except chocolate)

3. Connect with nature as often as possible (at least once a day)

4. Smile until you mean it.

5. Look to dogs as good role models (especially border collies).

II. I was or am happy that you are my mother when…

I see friends losing their mothers. I’m grateful that you have taken such great care of yourself so that you are so vibrant and able to be a part of our lives at 85. You are a role model for aging well!

III. If I could make three amazing things happen for you by waving a magic wand, I’d…

1. bring Dad back to keep you company (and do the taxes for you)

2. erase all your occasional aches and pains so you can scamper along on hikes, free of pain

3. let us both travel the 3,000 miles between our homes with the snap of our fingers

[These prompts are from the gift journal – What I Love About You, Mom – a sweet way to share memories and appreciation with your mom.]