Becoming a parent has made me reflect so often on my own childhood - the choices my parents made in raising my brother and I - the things they taught me - the things they protected me from - and more than anything, I linger on those moments and memories that standout as really happy, special times.
I want so much to build a mountain of those joyful memories in the hearts and minds of our children. In some way, I hope in those times when I can’t protect them from the difficult and unfair parts of growing up, that they can lean on the goodness we’ve given them to help get through it.
One of my favorite ways to do this is in starting simple traditions. The first simple tradition Tyler and I started was in celebrating our wedding anniversary as a family holiday. All of us together spending the day doing something fun and adventurous.
But our most recent simple tradition took root near Aliyah's bedtime. One night, we decided to put her in her pajamas, pile in the car and go out for a sweet treat together as a family. Sure she’s supposed to be in bed and yes, eating a little sugar at 8pm is probably not the most practical of ideas - but it’s been so fun to feel like we were all “breaking the rules” a bit to go on an excursion for dessert at bedtime.
Tyler and I decided that we’re gonna keep this up. Maybe every other month - maybe a few times a year… but we like the idea of bundling our little one in footed pjs & rain boots and heading out for a goodnight ice cream or krispy kreme donut, for no particular reason except that it’s fun and out of the norm.
It’s the kind of thing I hope she tucks away deep inside. The sort of memory that makes her smile when she is my age and chasing after little ones of her own. A simple Inzer family tradition - Pajamas and cupcakes. Sleepy eyes and root beer floats. A little family giggling at our own rule breaking with sticky ice cream mouths.
If nothing else, it’s guaranteed to give us all sweet dreams (eventually, we when come down off the sugar buzz)
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