This post is brought to you by a Healthy Slice sponsor.
As a parent it’s easy to focus on the big moments or milestones of life. Vacations, graduations, holidays. These events are wonderful times with a magic of their own, but when I look back on this precious time in life of having my little ones be little, without a doubt it is going to be the seemingly insignificant times that are imprinted on my heart.
Though it’s easy to get caught up in the pinterest-worthy birthday parties and planning big annual vacations, it’s going to be the little moments that shape my long-term relationship with my children. It’s the day to day actions and the consistent love and care that bond us more than any extravagant single moment ever could.
I can’t recall everything my parents did for me or all the places they took me when I was growing up. I’m sure it all took planning and cost money. I know we went on wonderful vacations. I hold those pictures in my hand and smile when I remember them, but what stays in my heart always are the more mundane memories.
It’s the braided closure of my mom’s red robe that I remember snuggling up to when I was sick in the middle of the night and she’d stay with me. It’s my dad throwing the softball with me and teaching me to run through first base. I’m sure my mom had to drink an extra coffee the next morning and maybe my dad had a pile of work that needed attending to, but I never knew or felt those things. In my eyes, they were there for me, with me, in these small moments that tied together to make up my childhood. Those are the moments I’m forever grateful for. Those are the moments I want to focus on with my girls.
My girls are still young, but I already can tell it’s going to be the middle of the night nursing sessions, the bed head at the breakfast table, the post nap snuggles, the leisurely adventure walks through the yard, the squeal of excitement for blowing bubbles, the talking about our days and splashing in the tub that resonate.
It will be the times I let her skip quiet time in favor of a living room picnic with mom while her sister napped.
Simple, but sacred.
It’s these small moments that matter the most to me and it’s these snapshots of everyday life that will make up their childhood.
I’m teaming up today with one of my favorite brands today, Bitsy’s Brainfood. I love this mom-made company that focuses on delicious and healthy food that nourishes the minds, bodies and imaginations of kids. And I’m not the only one that is a fan. Target recently handpicked Bitsy’s Brainfood as one of the 20 natural, organic and sustainable brands for Target’s 2016 Made to Matter collection. It’s a cool move by Target to make it easy for guests to find natural, organic and sustainable options and be introduced to meaningful product innovation from purpose-driven brands.
And Bitsy’s is certainly a purpose-driven brand. They recently launched Smart Crackers, made with a half serving of vegetables in each serving and are baked in Tangram shapes which teach logic, math and spacial reasoning. But most important of all, they are delicious!
Hailey keeps asking for more “pirate” crackers.
You can join Bitsy’s Smart Cookie Community to help spread their mission of making healthy eating fun while receiving info, coupons and even samples from time to time- cool.
Or you can just grab some yourself at Target or win some right now.
Bitsy’s is giving one reader a $50 Target gift card and a prize pack of Bitsy’s Cookies and Crackers!
To enter, leave a comment sharing a moment that mattered to you when you were growing up, or a moment that you spend with your child(ren) now that means a lot. For an extra entry, send a tweet
[Tweet “I want to win a $50 Target gift card and a @bitsysbrainfood prize pack from @ahealthyslice #madetomatter”]
and leave an additional comment saying you did.
Winner will be announced on Friday!
Target is not a sponsor or administrator of this promotion.
Camee says
My mom was at every single one of mine and my siblings events. From soccer games to watching me and my sister cheer she never missed anything.
Julianne says
I love the moment I walk into her room to get her up in the morning. She smiles so big and starts kicking her legs and reaching for me. Most recently, she tries to share her paci, too. It’s precious, and I never want to forget those little things.
Heather says
We have tried the crackers yet, but we did try the peahen chocolate beet cookies and my kids love them!
I have a hard time picking my favorite moment with my kids, but I really enjoy our afternoons together once I pick them up from school. We go to the park, have picnic snack time or go for a jog and they squeal and kick in the stroller! No matter what the 1.5 hrs holds between the time I pick them up and the time i have to start dinner those are my favorite minutes of the day!
Reid says
My mom was a single mom for 10 years (starting when I was 5 and ending when I was 15), so having her at all of my soccer games on Saturdays when she could have just dropped me off and gotten time to herself meant a lot to me.
Kara says
My most precious moments are with my daughter nursing in the morning or right before bed. She’s a toddler so it’s the only time that she stays still! But somehow she knows it’s our time and settles right down for our time together 🙂
Ali says
I stay home with my son too (he’s 2), and my most favorite time of day is when we play basketball together or blow bubbles. These little activities make his face light up with glee, and I love his giggles while we play together.
Sara says
One of my favorite moments with my daughter is the time before bed when we read a short devotional together and say our prayers…one of the best parts of the day!
Peggy says
Oh there are so many favorite moments with both my mom and my daughter. One particular activity that I love is every so often we have “picnic” dinners where we lay a blanket down on the living room floor and have dinner. We have been doing it since my daughter was two – she’s now six.
laura says
My dad would let me sit on his lap and help me with my vocabulary work in 4th grade. I was probably too big, but he traveled a lot, and I remember this so clearly. Small moment, but lasting impact.
Jennifer says
I hope my girls remember our night time routine of me reading them their books and rocking them to sleep….it’s my favorite time of day! (after a long day of craziness haha!)
Beth says
I love reading books to my kids every night and rocking them to sleep with they were little. Nothing is as great as the smell of a freshly watched baby and snuggling with it.
Jane says
As a child loved my dad coming home from work and reading to my brother, sister, and I. With my mom I loved grocery shopping with her…probably why I love it so much now as an adult!
Allison says
I remember baking with my mom, cookies, cakes, pies, etc. And she was a wooden spoon Mama, she never used a spatula so there would also be plenty of batter to lick off the spoon! Now that I have kids of my own, I love getting them involved in the kitchen! And, although I know my sweet baby girl won’t remember it, I cherish everytime I have to get up with her in the middle of the night. I know those moments won’t last much longer and I just sit there with her in my arms, thinking, please don’t ever let me forget how wonderful this is!!!
Brittany K says
My dad’s laugh. He’s been gone for 7 years and I can still see his eyes squint up and hear his belly laugh. We did a lot of laughing and for that I am forever grateful!
Stephanie says
Bedtime means a lot to me. It’s one of the few times my two year old will calmly sit and snuggle with me, and I look forward to it every night.
Michelle says
I remember all of the times that my dad let me tag along for chores on the farm and letting me help take care of the horses. While my mom was always there when I needed extra snuggles! I agree with your post, it’s the little things!
Laura H says
My dad would play soccer in the backyard with me every day – it is what I looked forward to most 🙂
And my mom would let me bake – she would let me put whatever ingredients I wanted all together and then bake it and try it. It was never very good tasting 😉 but soooo much fun as a kid!
Emily K says
I remember the sweet early morning moments, the stretching backbend awake and the sweet drowsy smiles. I love those the most.
Nikki S says
My favorite memories are helping/watching my mom cook dinner for us every night (and putting up with our frequent complaints about what was being served) and her sleeping on the foot of my bed the nights when I was sick. It’s so true that my fondest memories are of the everyday moments rather than the ‘big’ trips.
Kat says
I totally agree with you–first words, first steps, etc. mean much less to me than when my daughter is sick and just wants to snuggle (ugh the smell of her head–what is it so good?!), or when she first sees me in the morning, or the way she smiles at her dad when he comes home. I will never forget those. Ever.
Sarah says
I am with you on the picnics in the living room – such sweet moments with the kiddos!
Hillary says
I loved having dinner with both my parents every night.
Lexi says
I will always remember playing “boat” on the living room couch. Can’t jump off or the sharks will get you!
Jessica says
I love the memory of my dad brushing my hair. I love seeing posts of your beautiful girls! Thanks for the giveaway.
Jessica says
https://twitter.com/justxjess/status/724959187718049792
Brandy H. says
When I was about 8 or 9 I remember my dad had a big tractor he was using to do some work on our property (I grew up on 8 acres) and had in a large carport that he built. One day it was pouring down rain and my brother, my sister and I went out and played on that thing for a few hours! (My mad sure the keys were hidden!) There were certain rules of what we could and could not do but we made up some pretty good games!
Jessie @ The Acquired Sass says
My Dad used to read with me every night before bed. But not just read to me. We would take turns reading out loud, which, considering I vividly remember reading Lord of the Rings fairly young must have taken quite some time for all the descriptive language.
My Mom worked at a fancy bakery for a few years. She used to pick us up from school & take us back to the bakery with her if she still had cakes to finish decorating. Usually she worked on wedding cakes. We used to get to eat cake scraps from any cakes they had to shape or cut to make flat. Mmm.
Sarah Evans says
I love the time I spend with my daughter right after book and before I turn off the light for bedtime where we talk about our day.
Jeanne vanderveen says
I love the little moments too. My son is 2 and its def the little things. Playing at the park, basketball or soccer in the backyard, gym classes, music classes, libraries, watching him ride is quad etc. I take in every moment and it makes me smile and brings so much joy. I love following along in your full of life journey as well
Robin S. says
I love spending time in the garden with my girls and seeing them tend to the plants and get excited to see the fruits of their labor.
Hannah @CleanEatingVeggieGirl says
A moment that mattered to me growing up was being able to cook with my dad!
Kim says
I love my daily walks with the kiddos after dinner. They look forward to running out to get the paper and going for a stroll through our neighborhood. I love seeing the world through their eyes.
Kristy Best says
My most precious moments right now are spent in the car driving to school when my 3 year olds take turns telling me their made-up Dr. Tickle stories. Their creativity and enthusiasm are precious and I want to soak in every second that we have together! (I also tweeted!) 🙂
Cathy W. says
Quite time spent with my kids talking about everything or nothing at all.
Cathy W. says
I tweeted about the giveaway.
Julie says
My daughter is 16 so those daily “moments” are pretty few & far between. 🙁 It’s funny that you mention it, though, because just last night we ran out for 45 min. just the 2 of us to grab some froyo & pick up some seeds for a garden she wants to plant in our back yard (I have a black thumb… should be interesting!). As we were heading home, I thought, “This was really nice…” & then she said out loud, “Thanks SO MUCH for doing this, mom!” I laughed because it was nbd – just froyo & a quick run to Lowe’s & it kind of cracked me up that she was so grateful, but we don’t have 1-on-1 time much anymore, & it was really nice! A perfect example of your post. 🙂
Britt says
My mom was a single mom and the older I get the more I realize how much work she put into raising my brother and I. She worked full time and had dinner on the table every single night. She did enough for 2 parents every single day.
Karlee says
After nap snuggles and bath time splashes are my favorite moments with my girls. watching their innocence is such a blessing and reminds me to slow down and enjoy the small things; because it’s true, the small things really do turn out to be the big joys in life.
Kylee says
My parents were my biggest supporters at my dance recitals and field hockey games. They never missed one and it was so great to always have them there!
karla says
I remember special dinners and shopping with my mom each year when the men went to hunting camp.
Christine says
I may have to pick up a box of those crackers today, we have some hummus we need to eat up in the fridge! I always cherish the moments where my 17 month old really needs me. Like yesterday, he is cutting molars (ugh, poor guy is in pain!) and he has a cold and all he wanted was cuddles – but I wanted to get dinner prepped and in the oven. As as soon as dinner was in the oven we plopped on the couch and all his grumpy sadness and whining went away – he really truely just wanted to sit and snuggle with his Mama! And I LOVED every second of it. So tonight I planned a dinner with less prep so that when we get home from work/daycare we can cuddle on the couch again 🙂
Amy says
From my childhood, I most remember baking cookies with my mom and making a mess in the kitchen. With my 22 month old, I love the moments right before bed when he looks so innocent in his pjs with his wet hair. Those few minutes of books and cuddles make my heart melt.
Heather says
My favorite time of the day is going in to get my son from his crib in the morning. He always greets me with a big smile and points to his blankets which means he wants me to climb in with him and get under them. It’s so simple and lasts only a couple of minutes before he’s ready to eat but such a wonderful start to our day.
Monika says
When I played soccer throughout my entire childhood/adolescence, my dad would always take time to go to the soccer fields with me for extra practice. And it was always his idea – not mine! I also remember him quizzing me on multiplication tables constantly.
jeannine says
I will always remember sunday church as a family. We always went together and my parents faith helped shape my life and my faith.
Emily G says
I try my best to cherish those middle of the night moments and snuggles – they won’t last forever 🙂
Liz says
Lately I have been loving the couple of minutes when I go in to get my daughter from her crib in the morning. She’s almost two, and she is just so sweet and cheerful when she sees me come through the door! I love that first hug of the day. 🙂
Jen w. says
I remember mom rocking me in her favorite rocking chair when I was sick while listening to country songs on the 8 track player. Oh the good old days.
Anne says
Lately, my daughter has been saying “Mama, hold you!” when she wants me to pick her up. She will be two this summer, so I know the days of carrying her are numbered. The sweet snuggles are so wonderful.
Angie Jerde says
Looking back I am so grateful for all the small and bigger moments I was able to experience with my mom. Now that she has recently passed and me being only 27 at the time, these memories are still “fresh” and I hope to carry them on when I have kids of my own.
Summer says
When my oldest son was 3 (who is now 8), he used to be my little sous chef. He would pour ingredients (usually ending up on the floor) and stick his little fingers in the batter and lick them (and then do it several more times). He doesn’t really help me bake anymore – he’s into video games and hanging with kids his own age. But it’s ok. I will always cherish those moments with him in the kitchen.
MaryBeth says
My parents are the most supportive people! I loved having them cheer me on at my soccer games and track meets growing up. Even as an adult, they are at the finish line of my races! They set such a great example of how I want to be with my daughter.
Kim says
I remember playing board games with my family. I loved it. I had no idea they had big/busy ‘Corporate America’ Jobs that required so much time, but they made us first and worked after we slept. Means the world to me what they did for us!
Heather says
One of my favorite memories of my mom is when she’d turn on music and we’d make beds, open the windows and clean. I can’t help but smile when I listen to Petula Clark or the Mamas and the Papas and other similar artists because I think of my mom. To this day I prefer the same classic tunes when cleaning because it just makes me feel happy.
Some of my favorite dad memories are when he’d come in early in the morning while I was still asleep on the weekend and he’d gently shake me awake and ask if I wanted to go for a drive. I’d roll out of bed, throw on clothes and we’d hit the road, usually looking for things to take photos of (he gave me my first camera) and often we’d stop for breakfast somewhere.
I’m hoping our kids will remember similar moments one day… random dance parties, spontaneous road trips and movies in bed and snuggles when someone is sick.
Ellie says
I remember my parents always reading with me before bed. That was the best times.
Tracy says
I loved one on one time with either of my parents which was rare because I have 5 siblings!
Tracy says
I tweeted!
https://twitter.com/TracyKoep/status/725013316612030465
Wanda W says
I hope my kids will remember reading books each and every day. I hope they remember the after nap snuggles and playing outside.
Linda says
I love laying in my bed with my kids and just talking after story time. It’s this time I feel they share the most and we really connect.
Emily says
When I was little, my mom took a trip to Florida without me. She wrote me a special letter to open for each day that she was gone so that I had a reminder of her love. Looking back, I see that it was probably much harder for her to leave me than it was for me to spend a week at Grandma’s house!
Katie Shipley says
Every now and then my son has a night where he has trouble falling asleep… I love getting to give him some extra cuddles to help him relax 🙂
Sarah says
My mom would come sit on the edge of the bed and chat with me while I was reading every night long after we ended our earlier years of story time. My dad took me to the science museum every Saturday for years!
Katie D. says
Wow – so many memories!
I think one of my favorites is when my dad traveled for business, my sisters and I would take turns sleeping with my mom. They had a TV in their room and she would let us watch TV in there before bed and it always felt SO cool and special!
Crystal says
My favorite moments are snuggling up in the couch and reading with my son.
Elizabeth says
Going to the pool!
Holly says
I just started baking with my 2 1/2 year old daughter. It is a favorite hobby of mine and I love that she is so enthusiastic to participate (and taste)! I need to build one of those stands you have!!
Tara says
I remember playing basketball with both of my parents. I really appreciate how much time they spent helping me!
Lauren S says
The best memories I have were those of days when my dad when pack me and my sister into the truck, stop at a family owned grocery store for ready-made sandwiches and bags of chips, and drive out to our family farm. He’d back the truck into a large open field and we’d eat our lunch in the bed of the truck. After, we’d wade in the creek and run around enjoying being outside in the country.
Sara says
My little one (youngest of 4) loves to sit on the counter top while I make dinner. The older ones were never allowed o do this, and probably ever really asked. But he always asked to sit with me and since I work I love this little bit of time during a busy part of the day to just be close to him and talk to him.
Beth Jamieson says
I have a 4 and a 2 year old. One of our special times is getting ready for naps. We read and sing and after I put my youngest down for a nap I get to spend a little special QT with my oldest big girl.
Lindsay says
I love spending a day with just one of my girls at a time at the end of each homeschool year to celebrate. With three, soon to be four, kids, we both cherish those times no matter what we do. Today we painted pottery and got ice cream to celebrate my four year old finishing kindergarten last week.
Shana says
Some of my best memories were family camping trips.
Kelsey says
Bedtime snuggles and book reading – my favorite was I was a kid and now my favorite time with my two boys. One of the only times they will sit still!
Jessica @My Healthy Passion says
Oooooh this is tough! I have so many memories of being with my mom as a child! She was a stay at home mom and I really treasured that, she was ALWAYS there, always taking my sister and I to dance, always there if we were sad or sick, I hope I can do the same once I have children!
Jessica @My Healthy Passion says
I also tweeted! 🙂
Becky Pasquarello says
Just remembering and spending time alone with each of my parents was so memorable to me! Each of my parents were a stay at home parent for a period of time and I love that I got to experience that with both of them!
brittney says
My mom taking us to get ice cream after our dance recitals- even though I’m sure she was wiped – getting us organized for it and being there for hours- we celebrated after each and it always felt special and not rushed
Brittany Dixon says
Hi Brittney! Congratulations, you have randomly been selected as the winner! Please check your email for more info!
John J. says
Great post. I remember the special moments with you like it was yesterday. And, you ran “THROUGH” first base better than any gal I have ever seen!
Tara says
My favorite moment with my girls is taking them to the park near our house to go on the swings. They both screech in excitement the whole time.
Kristin says
Growing up we didn’t do to much as a family but with my daughter and husband I make sure to spend the extra quality time with them. From sitting at at every sport practice and game she plays. Taking her out of her comfort zone even though shes scared and nervous she knows we’ll be standing right by her. To staying up way past midnight because she forgot she had to build a boat for school the next day (fun times). Our Friday night family movie nights. I hope when she’s older these are the memories she remembers although I think the boat project may not make her list 😉
Liz T says
Each night we read our bedtime book and say our nighttime prayer. It’s been sweet hearing her begin to know the words. I can’t remember anything specific about my childhood- I hope I create lots of memories for my girls.
Madeline says
Reading stories to my daughter are moments that matter, especially when we talk about the books during the day and make references to them with things that we’re doing, like when we “whistle like peter does to call his dog” or see a mermaid like the ones in Peter Pan 🙂
Ann P-L says
My favorite moments are in the morning when my kids climb into bed with me and snuggle before we get up and start the day.
Claire says
Oh my goodness! How many! When my dad was out of town or on two week mission trips, my mom would let us sleep in her bed for a couple of nights. That was SUCH an exciting thing to do. We also had indoor picnics on a specific blanket – usually to watch a movie or Miss America (this was a very important thing to watch!). And my parents ALWAYS read me a story before bed – my mom read Anne of Green Gables and Daddy read Little House on the Prairie. I hope to read those to my little girl, too!
Lauren Gonzalez says
Its a toss up between morning cuddles where my son holds my face or our nightly ritual of singing “you are my sunshine” as a duet (which my son refers to as our love song).
Cait says
I spent a lot of time with my grandparents growing up and eventually moved in with them in high school. When I was about 7 years old we would go out for Chinese food on the weekends and I was allowed to have Shirley Temple’s and all the fortune cookies I wanted. My grandparents gave me their undivided attention & unconditional love. Some of my all
Time happiest memories are with them.
Irina S. says
A moment that mattered to me while growing up was taking walks with my dad. Simple and special.
Dana says
When my youngest calls down from upstairs when shes supposed to be going to bed and asks for me to “snuggle” with her one more time …:) I cant say no to that…..I cherish those moments 🙂
Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy says
I love singing to my kids when I put them to bed. Then one night my son started to sing those songs to me. It was and is SO sweet!
Molly says
I honestly love every memory that I have of childhood with my parents. My mom stayed at home and did such an amazing job of taking care of me and my brother. My dad worked a ton, so he would always take the two of us to the library on Saturday morning to pick out books and then to McDonalds afterwards for a Happy Meal (oh the 90’s). We looooooved the solo time with my dad and I’m sure that my mom appreciated the break!
Anna N says
Your writing has really taken off lately! What a beautiful post about your family.
Some of my favorite memories with my mom and with my own children have been reading books together. Whether it’s snuggling in bed or a trip to the library, reading really seems to help parents and kiddos connect in a special way. Our local library is fantastic (they just moved into a renovated paper mill… it’s huge!) so it doesn’t hurt that we always love spending a morning there.
Lindsay says
Every night before I put my 11mo to bed, I hold her and sing Hush Little Baby. She quiets down, lays her head on my shoulder and we sway back and forth. It’s my favorite 2 minutes of the day. 🙂
Sarah says
I loved daddy/daughter dates!
Sarah says
I tweeted too!
https://twitter.com/SarahTracy97/status/725327216133980160
Joni says
Right now, it’s every morning before I take my daughter to daycare. I try to never rush her out the door and we always get a little extra playtime. 🙂 Growing up my dad was always very involved in my sports, coming to every game, and even coaching some of my teams. My mom was always there when I was upset or sick!!
Alanah R says
I savor memories of baking apple pies with my Nana growing up… so sweet!
Nicole says
We love taking our kids on local adventures to state parks and small town festivals.
Brenda says
There are so many good moments with my two little boys. I would have to say my favorite though is being on the carousel between them at the zoo. The littlest on my left, bigger boy on the right (he’s on the giraffe, as always), watching their faces light up and their hands gripping the pole in front of them, exchanging smiles from time to time- priceless.
Cassie says
I love sitting in the grass with the little on a pretty day.
Katie M. says
My favorite moments are when my little one first gets up in the morning and runs into the living room with crazy bedhead and huge grin! We both snuggle for a few minutes on the couch before starting our day/ Those are some of the best moments!
Elle says
I love snuggling in bed with my 7 month old. She’s been waking up super early and I bring her back to our bed for a bit for snuggles before she fully wakes up happy and ready for the day. I love our quiet time.
Emily says
Moments that mattered growing up were our summer vacations! I remember being home and playing outside with my mom for hours on end. I cherish those moments so much!
Caroline says
My dad would always take the time to make pancakes with my brother and I on Saturday mornings!
Allison says
I’ll always remember my mom making me cinnamon toast when I was sick — it was a special treat
Theresa says
I loved when my dad would sing to us before bed.
Dana S says
cooking with my momma and bike rides with my dad (including sharing a pb&j!)
Mandi says
When my 3 year old says “let’s play ball momma!” Melts my ❤️ How could u say no
Morgan says
You’re definitely right! It IS really important to take time to appreciate the little things, especially when it comes to making simple, happy memories with your little one. It sounds like you are really enjoying these precious moments. Great post! Thanks so much for sharing!