For real staying power, make memories with your kids today, providing them with lots of stories to tell and traditions to carry on. And remember, it's the little things that count. Take Dr. Phil, for instance, who says, "Every night, the last thing my boys heard before they went to sleep was me whispering in their ear, 'How do you suppose, out of all the little boys in the world, I got the best ones?'" Maria Shriver keeps an old note in her wallet from her dad that reads, "You are special and wise, and your father loves you." My mom sang up a storm as she tucked me in every night, so my daughter got an earful of my vocals when it was my turn at the parenting table, and now she sings the same good-night songs to her two little sons. It's become a tradition, and it keeps the memories flowing.

Former editor and publisher of Teaching Pre-K to 8 likes to recall how his mother used to always read to him or recite poetry when he went to bed. A colleague told me that, whenever she got sick, her mom always popped her in bed and returned with a bowl of tomato soup, buttered toast-crusts removed-and ginger ale, plus either a book or puzzle to keep her company. Without fail. In Emily's house, the Xmas tree magically appeared in the living room all aglow and decorated on Christmas morning and not a day before-her dad's Santa Claus gift to the family every year, even when all the kids were grown. She's carried on the tradition. John says he'll never forget those big Sunday dinners. Angela says it's her mom's pasta recipe handed down from one generation to the next. So what about you? What makes you smile when you think back in time to your childhood? What memories are you making now for your kids to cherish in years to come? Want a few additions? Here you go...

 Tuck a loving or encouraging note inside a lunch bag.
 Every year, write a birthday letter to your child, detailing all the ups, downs, special occasions, turning points, etc.
 Create a memory book together, adding to it on a regular basis.
 Every once in a while, serve a candlelit breakfast.
 Nothing beats an occasional fireside picnic.
 Get into scrap booking, filling the pages with mementos, recollections, photos, quotes, etc.
 Celebrate half birthdays.
 Create a family recipe book.
 Each Xmas, make photo ornaments to celebrate and record the passing years.
 Hold weekend family read alouds.
 Enjoy a break from the kitchen and order pizza once a week; rent a movie while you're at it.
 Take road trips together.
 Visit museums and historic points of interest together.
 Go hiking and/or biking together.
 Make it game night once a week.
 Read to your child every night-even when they're older, or snuggle in alongside your child and both do some reading.

Writing on the Internet, a mother said, "My daughter actually used her cell phone to call me on mine, asking if dinner was ready yet." No claiming rights there. Have no doubts about it, the best memory-maker of all is the time you spend together-even when just prepping dinner or setting the table. In-home texting and cell calls don't count. Your children will quickly learn by your example if family time is valued or not, so make it a priority. Best-selling author and parenting expert, Mimi Doe, says it best: "My children have taught me that, really, what counts is the time we have together because we don't get it back." So share lots of sweet moments together that will linger and be carried with your children into adulthood and beyond. It's like living forever.