A Parenting "Bucket" List with a Twist

Typically, Bucket lists have been associated with a person dying but this bucket list is about things that you want to do with your children before they are grown up and leave you.  As my daughter's wedding approaches, I am definitely reflecting back on the things that we did with our children when they were young.  I kind of like the idea of writing down a list, maybe even starting that list during your pregnancy.  I think a list like this will help you outline what type of parent you want to be and hold you accountable about how you are fairing as a parent.

Jennifer Lawson "the Bloggess" has created a list that includes activities, visits and art projects.  Her list seems to have attainable activities that you may want to include on your list.  The responses to her post, however are quite different than hers.  Many of the lists that others have posted include things like a safari that are out of reach for most of us.  I encourage you to put a few things on the list that stretch you, but for the most part have items that are attainable for you.  If your children are old enough, ask what they would like to have on the family's bucket list.  By doing this, you may gain some insight into the life and thoughts of your child.

A Bucket List for Your Children?

Since returning from a trip to New York City where I checked walking across the Brooklyn Bridge off of my own Bucket List, I would like to suggest that you develop a "Bucket List" with a new twist for your children. This list would consist of experiences that you would like to give your children before they grow up. When developing this list consider including experiences from your own childhood that had an impact on you, experiences that you wish that you had had as a child, and experiences that will enhance the things that your child is interested in. Some specific things that you may include on this list are: visits to places of interest (Disney World, Washington D.C., New York City, National Parks, Grand Canyon, the U.N., battlefields or Historic Places that you live near), experiences (camping, boating, skiing, white water rafting, sky diving, scuba diving, horseback riding) or events (New Years Eve in Time Square, Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, Inauguration, birth of an animal, professional sporting event).

In today's economy, some of the things on your list may be out of reach but there are many experiences that you can share with your children that are right in your community and free of charge. I think that many of us don't consider the things available to us locally when planning out trips. When I was in New York City, I met a couple who had lived there all their lives and had never been to Ellis Island or the Statue of Liberty. Unbelievable. My family has been talking about going on a turtle walk at the beach thirty minutes from our house for years and we have yet to go so I have no room to talk.

Experiences help to shape the people our children will grow up to be. Making a "Bucket List" of experiences that you think that they should have before they grow up may provide you with a road map for your parenting.