I'm starting a new series on my blog called Take 5! The title simply means to take out five minutes of your day - right now would be good - and do something for yourself, your teen or your family that will strengthen your family bonds, firm up your parenting foundation or help you enjoy your journey on this side of teendom. Some pretty lofty goals for five little minutes, huh? Better get started...
This week's Take 5!: Open a file in your word processor or take out a paper and pen. Close your eyes and remember something about your grandparents that made you smile. Now take five minutes and write it down. Start with the phrase, "I remember when..." and just write. No one is going to check your spelling or grammar. Share what you have written with your family sometime this evening.
More: 5 Things Teens Can Do to Remember Their Grandparents | 5 Reasons to Observe Family Traditions
This post is part of the Blog Carnival at the Grandparents site at About.com for Grandparents Day. Do you have a blog? Join us!
Want to know what I wrote about? My grandmother’s love of thawed peas in vinegar. She used to eat them and sit with me. We would watch game shows – the Price it Right comes to mind as being one of her favorites. And she would eat her pea salad.
Just thought I would share….
This is a wonderful idea — strengthening family bonds by unearthing golden nuggets from your family’s past. How about making it a larger family exercise, by having each member of the family tap into their memory bank and taking the time to write? This is a great way for teens (and all kids) to improve their writing — after all, we are all experts at our own memory.
Further, for college bound teens, drawing on personal experience is essential for quality essays required on standardized tests such as the SAT, as well as the personal essay that accompanies many college applications.
As a former senior English teacher who has helped lots of students with college applications, I second what Art says. The specific details–like the pea salad and “The Price is Right”–are vital. Of course, it wasn’t the food or the TV fare that was important to you. It was the experience of being with your grandmother.