The Importance of History in Family Life

Written by contributing blogger, Christine Martin.
CID’s My Roots map collection have been a favorite for some time. The colors, design, and sweet sticker to pinpoint where our hearts lie are enough reasons to add these prints to our home decor. There’s another reason too.
A recent NY Times article has brought attention to the idea that discovering and honoring the family narrative goes a long way in the healthy development of children. Author, Bruce Feiler, uncovers studies by Dr. Marshall Duke that indicate the following:
The more children knew about their family’s history, the stronger their sense of control over their lives, the higher their self-esteem and the more successfully they believed their families functioned. Children who have the most self-confidence have what he and Dr. Robyn Fivush call a strong “intergenerational self.” They know they belong to something bigger than themselves.
What does this mean? Making it a point of sharing information like the birthplace of grandparents, how parents met and married, family challenges and successes is instrumental in the formation of kids’ identities as well as helping them address life’s difficulties.
The visual reminder of photographs, albums, heirlooms, and My Roots maps are wonderful ways to give family stories the importance deserved.