What I Want to Remember Most in This Season of Life
I recently had the opportunity to join the Frame of Life Podcast for a conversation about raising adventurous and curious kids, creating family memories, and finding joy in everyday moments.
The podcast is all about helping busy moms preserve the moments that matter most. One of the questions we talked about was simple but powerful:
What do I most want to remember from this season of life?
For me, it is not the big milestones.
It is the small moments.
The few moments of connection on the walk home from school.
The laughter in the car on the way to soccer practice.
The spontaneous park stops.
Kids riding bikes in the neighborhood until the sun goes down.
Snuggling on the couch together after a long day.
Those are the moments that shape childhood, and they are the ones I hope my kids remember too.
You Don’t Have to Go All In to Keep Memories
One thing I love about the message of the Frame of Life podcast is that you do not have to do everything perfectly to preserve memories.
You don’t have to scrapbook every moment.
You don’t have to document every holiday.
Even small things count.
A few photos.
A quick story written down.
A simple tradition you repeat each year.
When we let go of the pressure to do it all, we make more space to actually enjoy the moments we are living.
Raising Curious, Connected Kids
A big theme in our conversation was how to raise curious and connected kids.
For our family, that has often looked like small adventures.
Not elaborate trips or complicated plans.
Just everyday moments that invite kids to explore the world around them:
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stopping at a park on the way home
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backyard picnics
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exploring a trail close to home
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letting kids follow their curiosity outside
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Over time, these small adventures help kids develop curiosity, confidence, and a love of exploring the world around them.
They also inspired something I created called Everyday Adventures: A Screen-Lite Guide for Raising Curious Kids — a collection of simple ideas to help families spend more time exploring and connecting together.
👉 You can learn more about the guide here
The Story Behind A to Z Adventure Gear
We also talked about how I started A to Z Adventure Gear and why the name is so meaningful to me.
The name comes from our two daughters:
Annabelle and Zoe.
From A to Z.
They were the inspiration for the company and for the idea that eventually became our flagship product, the Lay and Play Adventure Mat.
When our girls were babies, we loved getting outside and traveling as a family. But we kept running into the same problem.
There was never a good place to put the baby.
Airport floors felt questionable.
Grass was damp.
And most baby play gyms were bulky and clearly designed for living rooms.
So my husband Dylan, an engineer, designed something better.
A lightweight, portable play mat that gives babies a clean place to play while families keep exploring.
The Lay and Play Adventure Mat was designed specifically for families who want a portable baby play mat for travel and outdoor adventures.
👉 You can see the Lay and Play Adventure Mat here
My Favorite Mom Hacks
Like most moms, I love a good practical tip that makes life easier.
One of my favorite “mom hacks” is actually something very simple: keep things flexible and simple whenever possible.
Parenting seasons change quickly, and what works one year may look completely different the next.
Simplifying everyday life — from the way we celebrate holidays to the way we give gifts — creates more space for connection.
One small example I shared on the podcast is my grandparent gift hack.
Instead of giving grandparents more “stuff,” we often give them experiences or meaningful moments with the kids. In the episode, I also share my favorite go-to grandparent gift to highlight memories using just a few photos
Different Seasons of Raising Kids
Another thing that came up during the conversation is how parenting changes as kids grow.
The baby stage is one season.
The elementary school years are another.
Teenagers bring a whole new chapter.
Every stage comes with its own challenges and its own magic.
What I have learned over time is that you do not have to do everything perfectly. You just have to stay present enough to notice the moments that matter.
Mom Superpowers
One of the fun questions on the podcast was about mom superpowers.
If I had to name mine, it would probably be finding ways to simplify things so our family can focus on what matters most.
Less gear.
Less pressure.
Less complicated plans.
More time together.
That idea is really at the heart of everything we create at A to Z Adventure Gear.
Listen to the Full Conversation
If you'd like to hear more about raising adventurous kids, simplifying family life, and creating meaningful memories, you can listen to the full episode here:
Raising Adventurous Kids with Jamie Wagner
In this episode of the Frame of Life Podcast, Jamie Wagner shares how small adventures help families raise curious, confident kids.
5 Simple Ways to Raise Adventurous Kids
Parents often assume adventure means big trips or elaborate outdoor plans. In reality, raising adventurous kids usually comes from small everyday habits.
Here are a few simple ways families can encourage curiosity and exploration.
1. Follow your child’s curiosity
If your child wants to stop and look at bugs on a walk or explore a creek nearby, slow down and let them investigate. Curiosity is the starting point for adventure.
2. Say yes to small adventures
You don’t have to plan a huge outing. A quick trip to a new park or a backyard picnic can become a memorable moment.
3. Let kids try things on their own
Adventure builds confidence when kids have the chance to test their abilities and figure things out.
4. Spend time outside regularly
Nature naturally invites exploration. Even short outdoor breaks help kids connect with the world around them.
5. Focus on connection, not perfection
The best adventures rarely go exactly as planned. What matters most is spending time together.
These small habits help kids develop independence, confidence, and a lifelong love of exploring.
How to Create Meaningful Family Memories
When people talk about preserving memories, the conversation often focuses on photos, scrapbooks, and albums.
Those things are beautiful and important.
But before memories can be preserved, they have to be created.
The truth is that meaningful family memories rarely come from perfectly planned events. They grow out of ordinary moments shared together.
A spontaneous park stop after school.
A picnic in the backyard.
A road trip snack break that turns into an adventure.
Kids often remember these simple moments more than the big trips.
Creating meaningful family memories is less about doing more and more about being present for the small moments that happen every day.
Small Adventures Often Become the Best Memories
One thing I have learned as a parent is that kids do not measure experiences the same way adults do.
They do not care whether an outing was perfectly planned.
They remember:
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the time you explored a new trail together
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the afternoon you stayed outside until sunset
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the silly moments that happened along the way
These small adventures build connection and curiosity at the same time.
And over the years, they become the stories families tell again and again.
The Memories That Matter Most
At the end of the day, the memories our kids carry with them usually come from simple moments.
A family walk.
A spontaneous adventure.
A quiet evening at home.
Those everyday experiences are where connection grows.
And those are the memories worth keeping.
Related Resources for Adventure Families
• Lay and Play Adventure Mat
• Everyday Adventures Guide
• 7 Baby Travel Hacks Free Guide