“Do you have any more stories?” they say.
I’d already told them about how my husband and I met; I’d told them about the first time he said I love you.
(“Why were you at a park at night?” they ask. “Because you can do awesome stuff like that when you’re in college,” I answer.)
So I launched into the story of how he proposed. The table set with two dozen white roses, the private, catered dinner, and the juice boxes to remind us of our first date. The pond and the mountains, the candles and the outdoor sound system playing our song. The one knee and sparkly ring.
The messy, happy, mind-blown “yes!”
—
“Do you have any more stories?” they say again.
Our eggs are cold. The baby is trying (mostly successfully) to wiggle her way out of her high chair.
It’s time to move on. To trade stories for reminders to rinse their plates.
But for the rest of the day, I can’t stop picturing their riveted little faces. Or how their chests puff up when I talk to them like peers.
I can see myself as a little girl, pencil in hand, telling my dad to talk slower, so I could write his story down.
For the rest of the day, I think of how much I’m really teaching my kids when I simply use my voice.
5 Things Our Kids Gain from Story:
1. Roots
With story we share the narratives that weave our lives together, that connect us with family members past and present—and our kids can keep that family identity forever.
2. Grit
Studies have found that telling children about challenges your family has faced will help them mitigate the effects of stress and develop resilience. Stories of your family overcoming hard times will help them believe that they can do the same. Bruce Feiler says:
“When faced with a challenge, happy families, like happy people, just add a new chapter to their life story that shows them overcoming the hardship. This skill is particularly important for children, whose identity tends to get locked in during adolescence.”
To help your children believe in their ability to overcome hard stuff, tell them stories of people who have.
3. A glimpse of the soul
I first heard this concept from David Isay, founder of StoryCorps and author of Listening Is An Act of Love, and I’ve thought about it so much ever since. If you think of a loved one who is gone, photos are special, but what would any of us give to sit and listen to their voice again. There’s just something magic—mesmerizing—about the human voice.
Telling stories that we care about gives our kids the chance to really hear us. It’s different than the voice they so often hear… “Don’t forget to clear your plate!”
4. Practice developing a gift—the art of listening
It’s a gift, the ability to listen to understand instead of listening to respond. (As Stephen Covey would say.) Opening our mouths gives our kids the chance to get lost in a story. To listen for the sake of listening, instead of listening with the quiet motive of eventually being heard.
5. The ability to command attention
The other day, my husband and I were listening to a nonfiction audiobook and found ourselves losing interest halfway through each chapter. When I thought about it, I realized that each chapter started with a story, which eventually gave way to studies and stats. The story captivated us. The supporting research? Not so much.
“We are, as a species, addicted to story. Even when the body goes to sleep, the mind stays up all night, telling itself stories.” Jonathan Gottschall
The human brain is wired for story. It’s the reason the most effective speeches are filled with inspiring, real-life examples. It’s the reason you can catch a class of rambunctious high school students dead silent five minutes before the bell rings: their teacher is telling a story.
When you know when and how to use it, it’s a powerful tool.
Bonus Parenting Tip
If you want your kids to really hear you and internalize some kind of lesson, show them—using a story—instead of lecturing them. It’s like the old but incredibly effective writing trick: “Show, don’t tell.” Anyone can tell a kid to be honest; it takes more effort—but generates a much better outcome—to show the value of integrity with a story.
—
So that night, with these thoughts bouncing around in my head, the boys and I climbed into a twin-sized bed, the baby climbed (all elbows and knees) right on top of us, and I dove into the story of what it was like to swim with baby turtles in a salt water pool.
This is the kind of thing I get nerdy-curious about, so let’s hear it—Were your parents story tellers? Are you?
Beautiful lifestyle photography courtesy of Denver-based Colie James Photography
Katie @ Wonderfully Made
Love this post! I think it is so important to share your story with your children. My husband grew up in a private family. He hardly knew anything about his parents, especially their lives before becoming parents. They were always loving and kind but he did not feel like he really *knew* them. I grew up in a more open family, but realize looking back that the stories they told were more for laughs and entertainment rather than being raw and real and open. So we’re learning from both sides, and doing our best to find the right balance for our kids.
Erica Layne
What an interesting contrast, Katie. My dad told the fun and entertaining stories to us as kids (and thankfully shares them now with the grandkids), but they didn’t tell a lot of stories beyond that. Ryan’s family tends to reminisce a lot more, and I really appreciate that. I think there really is something to what Bruce Feiler calls the family narrative. Much love!
Rachel T.
Turtles in a salt water pool! So fun. I love thinking of sharing my childhood (because it was awesome) with my kids. If only I could remember it better! You seem to have a better memory than I do. Same with Dad, he really does have a talent for coming up with and sharing interesting stories. Maybe I will have to gather up my childhood journals for some ideas…
Erica Layne
Rach! The turtles were Kent and Jan’s that they got in Tijuana! Do you remember that? I *may* have embellished the story for the boys, though, since my memory is honestly not very good either. Haha. But I do think the stories start coming back to you more and more once you’re kind of looking for them. Sierra and Sawyer will be ready before you know it!
Rachel T.
I do remember the turtles at Kent and Jan’s! Your boys are at such a fun age for stuff like this. I love imagining their little eyes brightening up and asking for more stories. I can totally see it/them! Can’t wait for Sierra and Sawyer to get there.
Laura Lyle
I love this! Our kids are the same. When we tell family stories, they beg for more…and more! We tell dozens of stories at bed time and they still beg for more! Wonderful thoughts!
Erica Layne
Hi Laura! It’s to hear from you on here! I imagine that you two are quite the story tellers! And having seen Brock in action in primary, it’s not hard see why they’d be begging for more! Your kids are lucky their parents have so much spark. 🙂
Sierra Burton
Ah the art of listening. Such an important principle!
P.S. I changed my blog URL but it is still me 🙂
Lauren Tamm
Story telling is so special. I hope to share many stories with my son as he gets a bit older than the pre-toddler phase. As a child, I was fascinated with stories my parents shared with me. Many I still remember today, and I let my imagination run. Sometimes we can all take the story where we want it to. I love that aspect of it.
Lauren
Chantel
Oh yes, love this too! My daughter like to tell and ask for stories over and over again (like every other child I’m sure), I love thinking how she can pass these stories on to her children years from now. <3
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Teresa
My little one is tiny and is not into stories but I’m looking forward to the day she starts asking me about my life… a bit scared but excited.
Ana
This is a beautiful article. I remember when my mum was teaching me by telling her stories, her very intimate stories. Thank you for this article, because now I am even more aware of how much these stories made me who I am right now.
Erica Layne
What a beautiful gift she gave you, Ana. Thank you for inspiring ME!
Coralie
I love this! My husband and I tell a lot of stories to our children, especially because my husband is Brazilian and we live in the U.K., so it’s a way to let our kids get to know their Brazilian family members and the differences between their two cultures. Both my mum and dad tell stories about their childhood and student days and I have an aunt and uncle who traveled their whole professional lives teaching in different countries around the world and they tell us amazing stories… they are also writers and read to each other daily ( my uncles reads to my aunt as she prepares their evening meal.
Tales Toolkit Kate
Loved reading this post. I left my job as a teacher a while ago to set up my company which sole purpose is to develop children as storytellers. Such a powerful tool! Lots if stuff out there about the benefits of reading books but so much to be gained from telling our own stories and making up tales from our imagination, I still remember the stories my Mum used to make up.