Sharing family stories is precious "gift" to give to your children
When I was a boy, I remember the stories my grandfather used to tell about the days when he worked on the railroad.
Those stories were funny and my grandfather had a way of weaving in jokes about himself. But, there was also a sense of heroics about them as he told about the hardships of being part of a railroad crew that laid ties and rails.
After he died, I regretted that I never recorded his tales in order for my children to hear the stories about his life and what men did in the late 1800s to earn a living. As a result, these stories never got recorded and my children will never quite know their great grandfather, except indirectly through stories that I can recall about him.
For me, stories that were told by various family members always served as a sort of anchor and a source of strenth and stability. No matter what, as I grew up, I could enjoy those stories as a part of my identity.
As I thought about where my grandfather had started out, as part of a rough railroad crew, I could think about how far the family had come. And I could feel pride that ours was a family that had made something of themselves despite the odds.
Your children can enjoy positive stories about their heritage through you and other relatives. And the great part is that they cost nothing. Yet, they are one of the most valuable presents that you can pass on to your children.
Stories about family heritage can be as enchanting as fairy tales and as powerful as any Hollywood drama. The main reason for this is that they are shared memories that help children understand themselves and where they come from in a way that nothing else can.
Because these stories involve family, they take on a special quality for children. Sure, kids love stories from Dr. Seuss or about Curious George, but it's not the same as when they hear about ancestors and relatives. When stories of family members are told over and over again, they become internalized and become part of a child's identity.
Even more important, they teach family values and beliefs, with the strong character of individuals or the family brought to life in dramatic fashion.
Such stories and tales also provide children a sense of belonging. They give kids a perspective that they are part of a larger group of people and that they will always remain a part of that group no matter what else happens.
Finally, when family tales are shared with your children, such stories can motivate and inspire them. Even the adventures of ordinary people can be turned into an inspiring legend. Most people have had to overcome obstacles to achieve something. Your children should be aware of what you or their grandparents had to endure or overcome.
Telling family stories is as easy as recalling ordinary events that have happened in the past. You may need to seek out the person in your family who has the best memory and ask him or her to tell you some stories. Then, look for opportunities, a child's question, a car trip, a vacation, sitting around a camp fire, or an upcoming visit from a relative, to pass the best and most inspiring stories on.