[tps_header]I didn’t grow up in a home where we had a lot of money. Raised by a single mom in Brooklyn, we always knew our mom did the best she could with what she had. I hope she knows it was more than enough. We always had food to eat. We always had clothes to wear. We always went to school. And we even had two working televisions in the home. Life was good.

Sure, there were times when I wanted something and I could not get it because of the cost. As a child, I would get disappointed about that. But as I grew older, I understood what life was like for my mother. It all made sense.

I also started to realize that the memories from my childhood that stuck with me the most weren’t memories of the things we had or didn’t have. The memories that mattered most were all connected to family traditions and how those traditions made me feel.

I carried that lesson with me when I started my own family, realizing that what my children will remember most aren’t the material things they get but rather the memories they form as they experience special moments together.

My children are young, but I can already see how some of our family traditions have shaped their lives. Through their actions and words, I know that those precious moments make them feel happy and loved. Nothing matters to us more than that.

And traditions don’t have to be anything fancy or expensive. It’s really the consistency of the simple things that have a positive impact on your children’s lives.

Here are five family traditions that are easy to start and can give your kids happy memories that will last a lifetime.

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1. Special Dinners on Special Nights
Whether it’s taco Tuesdays, pizza night or Sunday dinners with family, shared meals create memories. Children look forward to it as a time to connect with family while enjoying a meal that makes them happy. Many of my own childhood memories revolve around family traditions that involve food. Currently, my family enjoys pizza nights every other week and my children love it. We also add a salad or vegetable to the mix to keep things healthy.