During a recent gathering of a few friends that we have known since primary school, we naturally talked about life and our parents. A friend of mine then brought up the topic of Empty Nest Syndrome…. Something that I didn’t even know it exist.
We grow quickly under our parents’ care and when it’s time for us to explore the world with or without them, our parents start to feel that they are losing us.
Let’s face it! Parenting is NEVER EASY!
There is no textbook that we can refer to… No Step by Step Manual. We sort of do a bit of trial and error and learn along the way – and hopefully we do the right thing and our kids turn out well. We worry non-stop from the second they are born. We’ve seen and heard a 86-year-old granny worry about her 63-year-old daughter!
Just when you thought the tough part (raising your kids) is over, it can even get tougher now sometimes right? Every stage of parenting is a challenge, never the same. We can only look forward and hope the next phase is easier than before.
We are so used to our kids needing us when they were younger, and now our babies are all grown and independent.
We try to be their ‘friend’ especially when they hit the tween/teen/young adult stage. Well, at least that’s what most experts would advise parents when the kids are more or less grown up.
But now that your kids are older and they don’t depend on you wholly like they once used to, it’s hard to gather the whole family together because everyone has their own plans. Even when the family gathers, the vision of everyone on their phone versus “real-life” chatting keeps crawling into my mind. How then can we reminisce the bond, the moment, the time we have together without the screen? Especially when these days the information on the internet keeps everyone more busy than before with their eyes glued to the screen.
Sometimes when you’ve already prepared dinner, your kids called in last minute (if they call) saying that they couldn’t make it because they forgot they’ve got a friend’s birthday dinner. Then you start to wonder – didn’t they plan ahead to have quality time with us as well? Why does it seem like their friends are everything and we’re just in the background?
As parts and parcels of kids growing up, we definitely have been there before. It’s confusing and tough being teens these days, especially at this age where they’re figuring out who they are supposed to be. They might have just started their first adult job, got a boyfriend/girlfriend, or even just still in tertiary school.
The sudden change is kinda tough for us to just simply think past it, but you’re never alone!
Where Did All That Time Go?
It seems like yesterday that they were just a baby…… At times, we feel like we’ve ran out of time with our children. Time flew by so quickly – did we even have enough time when we were all younger?
You’re not overreacting for feeling this way, because all your life, you’ve been their guardian. But we can’t help wondering why the kids feel the same way. Don’t they miss us just as how we miss them?
Sometimes love given, is not love received… One of the ways we know of that help us remember our kids is memories in tangible form eg. photos in an album, photo on the wall, photo on the desk.
You have influence over the things your children remember and your family photos are evidences to remind them of your love. The ones with you in it! ;) Not just the pictures you took of them in your phone.
Take Out Their Childhood & Family Photos
Sometimes looking at our family photos, images from their childhood are really what makes the difference. Our children are reminded of our love for them, all the hugs and kisses we gave abundantly that they might not enjoy THAT much once they hit the teenager phase…
From our personal experience, after we have gone past the rebellious teenager phase, we feel we want to re-ignite the family spirit as well after looking at the family memory photos and to keep the unit tight after understanding what our parents have done for us throughout the time we were growing up.
Your family portraits not only influence what your children remember from their childhood, but also how they feel about family relationships. Regardless of how busy you are, how little you get to see your kids when you were making ends meet. You made it a point to get the family portrait done.
When they think about you, what first come to their mind? You decide.
And if you’d like to find a family activity to do together, why not be intentional and plan a family photoshoot with us to capture keepsake memories?
Display Your Memories
All our life we’ve always wanted to know on our own and let our kids know that they have a happy family that has their back always. And as parents, we wish that our children can live harmoniously in future when they grow up, from their happy childhood together.
Your family portraits are not just to celebrate the present, to show your families and friends at gatherings – they are shaping you and your children’s future. Have them taken, print them out, display them everywhere at home. And your home will be a constant reminder of the joy, love and delight your relationships with one another have been.
No matter how big or small, how diverse, how unconventional, how normal. Display your family portraits at home, in your office, your bathroom, your wallet. Because trust us, it is this little thing that you’d look back time and again that will put a smile on your face when you caught sight of your family on the framed photo or even the one tuck in your purse.
If you would like to plan a session to capture your memories with your family, just drop us an email at info@bambiniphoto.sg or WhatsApp us at +65 8717 1558 and we’ll guide you through from there!
“The only things you regret are the things you don’t do.” Michael Curtiz
