One of the most important things a parent can do besides providing love, care, structure and safety for their children, is to provide terrific childhood memories.  They don't always have to be whiz-bangers, either. We took oldest son to Disneyland when he was a four, he doesn't remember going. Around that same time, we had a food fight with squishy grapes that weren't edible-he remembers that with amazing clarity.

The point I'm trying to make is that we don't have to turn ourselves inside-out to make great memories. I feel that it's actually detrimental to constantly barrage your children with high-dollar, bells-and-whistles entertainment. It raises their satisfaction level to a high that precludes them from enjoying the simple things and that's a shame.     Not to mention the dent it puts in the bank account.

The old saying is true, simple things are the best. In that same vein, below is a list of some activities to do with your child that don't cost an arm and a leg and make some terrific conversation and together time:

• One of the best places in town is the public library. They offer story times, some offer contests and activities. The big bonus is, the library will give you the opportunity to check out books so you don't end up reading the same ones over and over and over…

• Having a picnic. A few PBJ sandwiches, a thermos of milk, some graham crackers, a public park and you've got an event!

• A mud hole. Yes, a mud hole!!! I watched Eric play in a mud hole (make sure you've created it and there are no shards of glass or critters in it) today for nearly an hour, and yes, I joined him. There's nothing like squishing your toes in mud and letting your son plop you with it to make a few sloppy, but great, memories.

• Baking. It make take a lot longer to bake a few dozen cookies, but the kids get a bigger kick out of eating cookies that they have helped to bake.

• Go fly a kite-literally!

• My oldest son and I love to go fishing. It's not for everyone, but you can sure share a lot of conversation while waiting for the fish to bite.

• A good old-fashioned collage is nice, too. Take an old pie pan or piece of sturdy paper and take a walk. Gather leaves, rocks, flowers and glue them onto the collage for a bit of art.

• For the younger child, you can't beat squishy, old finger-painting. Use one of Dad's old shirts, plenty of newspapers and have a blast.

Don't get me wrong, the amusement parks, video games and the rest have their place, but it can never beat imagination.  Speaking of memories, I do remember when we took Johnny to Disneyland. I have a favorite memory from the trip. It wasn't "Small, Small, World" or any of the rides, it wasn't any of the characters or the parades.  My favorite, most vivid memory happened in the parking lot when we got there. Johnny had been looking forward to this trip for weeks. He looked up at me after we got out of the car with a huge smile on his face and said "Oh, Mama, I so happy!"  So, it works even for adults. We took him to an expensive theme park, but it's the simple memory that brings a smile to my face and will be with me forever.

©Lisa Umstott 1998
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