Celebrating Birthdays

This morning I was listening to a CD from NSA speaker George Walther. He was wonderful with the message to really live each day. George had one great idea for celebrating children's birthdays that I have to share with you. Check out his Legacy of Love for Your Lifetime Letter. It's a brilliant idea. I've often thought of audio taping stories, advice and love letters to my children on the computer that I can give them when they become adults. Haven't done it yet and I know I'll regret it if I don't get it done. Now it's on my to-do list.

A birthday tradition that started quite by accident in our home is the Birthday Banner. Years ago, the night before one of my daughter's birthday I created a banner to surprise her when she woke up. It stuck and I've continued it for years. It is the first thing my children wake up to to start their special day. I use a giant Post-It-Note used for flip charts, draw a picture of something that represents their year, celebrates their personality, or something special they want for their birthday that they are getting. The contents have included everything from frogs and cats, to bicycles and MP3's, to Mr. Incredible, Harry Potter and Yoda, and even slumber party girls and basket ball players.

I didn't realize how important these were to my children until I stopped at my oldest's 13 birthay thinking she was too old. She let me know quite quickly that the poster is the most important thing I do for them and why would I stop now! So, the tradition continues today. If I'm going to be out of town for their birthday, I make it in advance and instruct their sitter to post it for them. Each of them have kept all their posters and hang them in succession in their closet. It really is special to them. I wish that I had taken their picture each year with their banner, so if you start this tradition, add this element.

Many times I've shared the story of their birth day with them too so they know what a big day it was to us as parents. They love to be the feature of the story. My grandpa Frank used to tell me about the day I was born, where he and Grandma were at the time, what the weather was that day, and how they drove back early to SD from the ND farm because I was born. When he passed away I read his pocket calendars he kept of all his years. Everyone of us grandkids were noted on our birth day right along with what the weather was like.

The way you make your child feel special, loved, and remembered will have a longer lasting effect on them then the latest techno gadget, must have toy, or anything else. Share the special ways you celebreate your children's birthdays that they appreciate. The comment box is right below. Your idea may be just what another mother needs to validate her love for her children on their birthday.