Mom's Talk: How Do You Keep The Family Happy?

Jason Vallee (Editor) March 2, 2011 at 11:30 pm

Growing up, our family was fortunate enough to be able to take trips to Maine, Cape Cod, Florida, Indiana, the White Mountains, Vermont and several other places. But it wasn't those trips that were the fondest memories.
I have always been a baseball fan and some of the funnest times came in our own back yard playing wiffle ball. As we grew a bit, my dad extended the field and we'd use the house as a "Brown Monster" and the pool as centerfield. Playing games were interesting, especially making "home run saving grabs" into the pool. What has produced the fondest memories for you and your family? Share with us today on Southington Patch and possibly create ideas for others.

Janet Zygmunt March 3, 2011 at 04:36 pm

My grandparents had over 12 acres next to us when we were growing up. My 3 siblings and I would always be outdoors playing- ice skating, swimming, climbing trees, riding our bikes in the driveway, playing baseball, playing board games. Picnics on the weekends always brought the family together, making lasting relationships with my cousins. Today, those once wooded acres are now smothered with condos, our huge pond for ice skating is now just a spit of a fountain. My parents and grandparents moved from the west end to the east end of Waterbury and I have been living in Southington with my husband and two children for the past 18 years. My grandmother just celebrated her 99th birthday. Almost every day we talk and laugh about the fun times we had growing up - diving in the pool after my great uncle threw a handful of pennies in, skating all day until we could hear the dinner bell ring, sliding down the back yard on paper bags and table tops. Our collie wore a shirt and had socks on his feet and he would run after us on the ice and eat with us around the stone fireplace. It's a different world today. We have to be more aware of where our children are, who they are with and what they are doing. My husband and I are raising our children to have respect for themselves and others around them, to enjoy the outdoors, be kind to animals and get the most out of an education. So far, so good.