Helping Your Child Find His Place in the World Through Family Photos
Children, especially teenagers, often have a hard time finding their own identity. They experiment with clothing, with hobbies, with sports, with makeup. Often they find ways to push the limits and rebel, trying to discover who they are, how they are different, and how they fit into their families and into the world. How can we help them find the security that comes with knowing who they are and where they come from? No matter how many times we tell them that they are loved, seeing the evidence of that love in black and white (or in color!) is far more effective.
The history of a family is told through stories and photographs. Displaying photographs of your family inspires questions such as "What happened when I was born?" or "Did you have a boyfriend when you were my age?" Telling your child these stories creates a family legacy that they will always remember. Through photographs, your child can see that he has his father's brown eyes, or that she has her mother's blond curls. Every child loves to see pictures of his or herself throughout the years. They see themselves as a darling and much-loved baby. They remember special Christmases shared with their siblings. They relive family vacations and time spent with Grandparents.
Photographs of ancestors are also important, as they show a child where they came from. Did your great-great grandfather immigrate from Scotland? Did your great-aunt fight for women's rights? Whatever your family story, share that history with your children. Seeing a photograph of an ancestor will help a child feel like they know who he is. Sharing stories and photographs of family members will help a child know where she came from, and the strength she inherited from her family.
Displaying family photographs in your home is so important because seeing that visual history gives children an anchor, and makes them feel like a part of something bigger than themselves. And isn't that something we all want, for our children to feel like they are an irreplaceable chapter in our unique family story?
