Simple heart-felt ideas create memories for a lifetime

*Take as many luxurious bubble baths with your infant that you can possibly squeeze into your schedule. Memorize the luxurious softness and gorgeous scent of your baby’s skin.

So much of motherhood is unromantic, and this can be a truly intimate time for you to look up in your memory and return to when that infant drives you crazy as a teen.

*On a dreary morning, take a mommy-mental-health-improvement-connect-with-your-loved-ones break. Don’t get dressed. Spread a quilt over your bed, and let everyone pile on for a long leisurely breakfast.

Don’t answer the phone. Read something magical or your favorite story from childhood. Then, if they are able, let them read that story to you.

*Write a love note to your child during the day. Include the date, and place the note on their pillow. Even if they have reached an age where it borders on cheesy, they will love the thought and drift off to sleep feeling cherished. Tuck the notes away safely in a box.

*Ask your kids to put on an impromptu fashion show. There are endless variations – towels only, toilet paper, pantyhose…My own sons invented their own “London-France” show for the catwalk. They layered on every pair of underwear from their drawers until they could only waddle, tied on a blanket cape, and donned one last pair of undies as a hat. It never failed to make my cheeks ache.

*When you or your child has a particularly bad day, whip up an indulgent snack together. Let them help you make decadently rich cookie dough from scratch, but leave out the eggs and the baking. Eat the dough as dip for apple wedges and pretzels or mix it into ice cream. Allow them to get sticky and gooey while devouring it, and document it all on film.

*Keep a diary or journal. When your child melts you with something precious such as, “mommy, I just bless-you’d and da juice cames ride outta ma nose!” – you will be ready to record it. When you feel absolutely frazzled by momhood, write down exactly what you feel – exclamation marks, drama, and all. Don’t hold back. You may find you’ll instantly feel better after expressing it, and you can return to the entry on a calm day when you’re up for a good laugh.

*Sacrifice your tastefully decorated family room for a day and let the kids build an ultimate fort with every blanket and sheet in the house. When complete, head inside to play “Don’t Break the Ice” (my kids’ personal favorite) and “Candy Land” a dozen times or more. They never tire of the classic games, and you are their favorite player. The day will arrive when your kids will be too busy for you.

*In your planner, pencil in an entry every two months reading “celebrity photo shoot.” Have your spouse or friend take a picture of just you and your child, and then change places. Go outside if possible to capture the season. You will have a wonderful treasury of smiles as you both grow up, and no mom on the planet has said she took too many photos.

*Let your child have a blast styling your hair. Supply them with colorful clips, rollers, bobby pins, whatever is on hand. When your makeover is complete, go to the mirror and rave you look fabulous. Pretend you love it and say you plan to wear it this way forever. Now let them apply the makeup.

*If you have teens or ‘tweens, sit down with them and a pizza to watch their favorite comedy or youTubes, no matter how lame. Remember there was a time you thought Pretty in Pink should win the Oscar. They will appreciate the gesture because they know it’s a little painful for you, and though it may seem mindless, you might be rewarded with joyful expressions and laughter.

*When they have reached an age where it is safe, place your infant in the large oval roasting pan usually dusted off only for the Thanksgiving turkey. Place baby in roaster and give him a gentle but thrilling ride of a lifetime across the kitchen floor. Have your camera ready to preserve his joy for future generations.