‘Little Things Long Remembered’: Book offers ideas for making every moment special

Twenty years ago, Susan Newman wrote the original version of 'Little Things Long Remembered.”

This year she released an updated version, most notedly related to the fact that more parents are working and technology is constantly influencing our lives. With busier schedules and technology making the personal interactions less relevant, this book is even more important to families.

Newman offers advice for how to carve out even just five minutes of special time with your child to build memories, create traditions and have fun without devices.

This book is for working parents or stay-at-home parents, grandparents, godparents, aunts and uncles. It really is for anyone who wants to make a child feel important. Newman has come up with hundreds of ideas, some taking only minutes, and many sent to her from other parents, and compiled them all into this little book.

The book is divided into chapters by types of activities from those that take five minutes to weekend-long ones. There's also sections on ways to honor special days and make new traditions. There are activities you can do with your toddler as well as your high-school-age child. Your child is never too old for you to find a way to make them feel special.

Some of the ideas were new to me such as having each member of the family choose a stock and follow its rise and fall in the market. Choosing companies that mean something to each person, whether it is the company that makes their favorite toy or favorite food, makes the activity more fun while also being educational.

Other ideas like having a one-on-one date with your child or sharing their birth story with your child on their birthday are fun memories we have made in our family and ones our children look forward to. If you travel a lot for work, there are ideas for making your child feel special even while you are away.

I found the sick day chapter especially helpful since I had a child sick at home at that time. Making even a sick day fun in the tiniest way can help break up the boredom.

This book is perfect for someone having a baby or for a new grandparent.