Episode 191: Memory-Stacking (big A calendars and building memories like a boss)

May 26

For the Busy Mommas…

Recognize & Create Memory-Stacking Moments (02:20)
Document Your Memory-Stacking Moments (05:50)
Strew the Memories Everywhere (08:40)

We have to come clean...a recent study by Baycrest's Rotman Research Institute says that research participants scored an average of 94% on memory accuracy. This high level of accuracy was observed regardless of the participants or the time that had elapsed since the event occurred.

However, we have 6% to work with and add to memory stacking!

Memory stacking is all about filling our children's memories with good and beauty from their upbringing and their family, and not memories of "we-nevers or I-nevers" or fighting with siblings...or being forced to *gasp* do chores ALLLLL the time.

All jokes aside, the human brain has a major slant toward the negative. It's a protective mechanism, and it has an important job...but it shows up even it when it isn't needed.

It's easier than it should be to get to the end of the year and question whether or not you've even done anything this year.

It's easy for kids to just complain about what they didn’t get to do, or what they don't have...and it to REALLY FEEL like that's true...even when we know it isn't.

So …. in comes memory stacking...

How does one memory stack you might ask?

Recognize & Create Memory Stacking Moments (02:20)

First comes recognizing memory-stacking moments AND creating space for them. Use our HPLAM (Homeschool Plan Like a Mother), to brainstorm memory stacking ideas and give them a home (this way they won’t get lost).

Then put them on a calendar (Britt has the BIG Gladwell calendar from NeuYear.com, and it’s awesome!)

When she came on the podcast, Laura Vanderkam talked about her one Big adventure, one small adventure each week (which is amazing!) For our families though, once a month or every other month seems to be a good rhythm.

Another memory-stacking opportunity could be a BHAG (Big, Hairy, Audacious Goal) every year/Misogi (Jesse Itzler). Basically, you do something hard one time a year that has an impact the rest of the year (this was Japan for our family).

Big and mini-adventures can be anything! Recognizing memory-stacking moments, choosing what you want to prioritize, and create space!

Document Your Memory-Stacking Moments (05:50)

Secondly, comes documenting and not letting these memories just live on a hard drive. This one is especially hard—use social media for this! This can feel like just one more thing. No need to buy frames or get the mixtiles.

Let Apple make videos of your adventures! Organize your memories in folders on your phone (or using keywords – like labeling with your kid's name, or the names of main people in the photos)!

*Is organizing your digital files a problem for anyone else?!* Or, do you have a killer system? Share it with us!

Strew the Memories Everywhere (08:40)

Strew that stuff everywhere...

Put photos up on the wall
Make photo books (Chat Books or Blurb or Shutterfly)
Purposely talk about past adventures and dream up new ones
Make a family night where you relive adventures on the big screen
Let kids create a presentation and give the adventure from their perspective (hilarious...and eye-opening)—putting a camera in the hands of a child creates beautiful memories too (there's gold in that stuff)

Use our Homeschool Plan Like A Mother to brainstorm memory-stacking ideas and give them a home. Then put them on your calendar (or get Britt's Beautiful Calendar to make space for those memories and keep them top of mind for everyone!)

Remember....

You are doing beautiful work!