There are only 940 Saturdays in 18 years.

A couple of months ago in church, we had a visiting speaker who shared this fact with us, and then asked us, “what are you doing with them?” And it hit me, HARD. At this stage in life, when the babies are small and the days are long, it’s so easy to forget that you don’t have forever with your little ones. You don’t have all the time in the world to nurture them and love them and teach them and guide them. Right now, the days drag on, and it feels like you might be rocking and feeding and holding and comforting your babies for-ev-er. But you won’t be. You don’t have forever. You only have 18 years. And you only have 940 Saturdays.

Why the focus on Saturdays? It’s because Saturday is the day when, in general, there are no other pressing time commitments. There is no work, there is no school, there are no music lessons and sports practices, there are no church meetings to attend. The day is stretched out long and empty, for you to fill with what is important to your family that week. Some weeks this might look like running errands together, others it might be enjoying a day at the lake, and still other weeks it might be going to a sporting event together. But no matter what is is you’re doing, be it a menial task or a grand vacation, the important part is to do it together.

Some other things you might to together as a family on Saturdays are:

• Go camping.
• Go on a drive.
• Go on a picnic.
• Attend a sporting or music event.
• Visit a museum.
• Do chores together.
• Fly a kite.
• Go fishing.
• Run errands.
• Serve a neighbor or family member.
• Have a movie night.
• Play catch, tennis, or another sport.
• Go swimming or boating.
• Visit extended family.

There is no shortage in what awaits you and your family on Saturdays. All you need to do is plan. Again, it doesn’t have to be anything grandiose. You might stay home all day deep cleaning your house and playing in the backyard. But it’s the togetherness, the feeling of love and memory making that counts. As we strive to raise a family that loves each other and that wants to spend time together, we must remember to start making memories together now. As we create a fun and loving environment, our kids will look forward to Saturdays as special family days, and will take those memories that are created on Saturdays (and other days) into their grown-up lives.

I want my children to want to be at home, and I want them to look back on their childhood with fondness and love. I want them to remember the fun family times we had, the laughter we shared, the hugs we gave.

And I don’t want to waste a Saturday.