Recharging Through Family: The Importance of Quality Time and Creating Lasting Memories
Growing up, my mother was a woman who deeply understood the importance of overcoming adversity. After my father took his life when I was just five years old, she was left to raise four children on her own. As the youngest, I witnessed firsthand her unwavering work ethic, often working two or three jobs to provide for us. Despite the challenges, she always made it a priority to spend quality time with us. Whether it was through annual vacations, skiing every weekend in the winter, or spontaneous trips she earned through sales competitions, those moments together are some of my most cherished memories.
One memory that stands out is learning to ski at the tender age of five, with my mom as my instructor. I remember trying so hard to prove myself so I could ski with my older brothers. At that age, I didn’t understand why she was cautious, holding me back from joining them. That realization didn’t hit until years later, when I found myself teaching my youngest son to ski at the age of three. Like me, he was fearless and eager to follow his older brother down the slopes. But just as my mother did, I had to teach him self-control. A young skier who hasn’t learned to manage their speed is a danger not only to themselves but to others on the mountain. It’s not easy to explain that to an overly excited three- or five-year-old, but those are the life lessons that stick.
My mother knew that quality time was not just about fun; it was about teaching moments that would carry us into adulthood. She didn’t just do this for us growing up; she continued this tradition when she became a grandmother. She wasn’t your typical grandmother either—she was active and adventurous, taking her grandchildren on great trips. Each year, she’d take my son, and eventually my daughter, for two weeks in the summer. This tradition expanded to include their cousins from across the country, ensuring that her grandchildren grew up knowing one another, even if it was only once a year.
When I became a grandmother, I wanted to carry on that legacy, especially since my grandchildren live 700 miles away. This year, after traveling across the country for six months on the “Empowering Communities Across America Tour,” I was wrapping up the tour in New York. Planning ahead, I arranged for my two grandsons, ages 12 and 8, to fly from North Carolina to Albany, NY. Our tradition has always included camping, something they’ve grown to love. In previous years, we’d camp in tents, and at the end of each visit, I’d ask them what their favorite part was. The answer was always the same—camping. So, camping it is! This year, we upgraded to RV camping, which brought a new level of excitement.
There is nothing like the opportunity to create a fire and cook smores. Building responsibility for managing the fire, learning safety, and of course eating the yummy marshmallows.
When you’re entertaining a 12- and 8-year-old, it’s essential to keep them busy with activities that challenge and tire them out. But for those reading this who are current or future grandparents, let me share some advice: avoid overwhelming yourself. A few years ago, while tent camping in Tennessee with my grandsons, I met a woman on the beach. She watched as I taught my grandsons how to paddleboard and struck up a conversation. She expressed envy at the time I was spending with my grandsons and shared how she had tried to take her grandchildren, ages 5 and 2, on a trip but had to return them to their parents early. The visit became too overwhelming, with constant conflict between the siblings, and she didn’t feel comfortable disciplining them in a way that might differ from their parents' approach.
Learning to paddle board is a great way to build confidence, and trust with your brother as a passenger on board. Balance is everything...
After listening, I suggested she try something different next time: take just the 5-year-old alone. This would allow her to enjoy quality time without the stress of sibling rivalry. I explained that my mother had taught me this approach. My eldest son has three boys, and taking on all three—12, 8, and 3.5 years old—is no easy task, even for their parents. So, I started by taking the oldest grandson alone for the first two years. Then, when the 8-year-old was old enough to fly without his parents, he joined us. The youngest still has a couple of years before he’ll be ready. This gradual approach has allowed me to build strong, individual relationships with each of them, and has given me the stamina to handle our adventures together.
My grandsons want their own dog, learning to manage Echo has been a great way for them to see what the responsibility really means, and the commitment for caring for someone other than yourself. What is really going on in this photo is quite funny..
Look mom and dad...we really want our own dog.
For me, 10 days is about the limit—by then, I’m ready to send them back, and they’re ready to go home. But the time we spend together is filled with fun stories and memories that we cherish until the next year. There’s no such thing as the perfect parent or grandparent—we all do our best to create bonds and lasting memories.
Make it stand out
Adventure tree challenges that combine ziplining with challenging obstacle courses above the ground are incredible for building grit and tenacity. This adventure at West Mountain was exceptional and the team supporting the participants were wonderful.
Yes he is smiling here, but it did take a bit to get him to just let go and trust the equipment would get him to the other side safely.
The courses are designed to get progressively harder, this is the blue course, and the most difficult portion of the course is shown in the photo. My grandson will not soon forget what it took to get through the final stage of the course, and I will remember the smile of accomplishment.
Hiking Sleeping Beauty Mountain, sharing my love for hiking with my grandsons. Future mountain climbers!!
I hope you enjoy the photos from our adventures. If you have the chance to build a relationship with your grandchildren, especially in today’s world where families are often spread out, my advice is to start small. Build a strong foundation, and it will grow into an incredible experience for both you and your grandchildren each year.