School is out for summer, creating a prime opportunity for parents to eke out some quality time with their kids. Other than a family vacation, parenting experts agree that spending One-on-One time with your children can be beneficial. This month Good News Wants to Know… What’s the most memorable time you’ve spent One-on-One with your child – or you with your parent – not on a family trip? 

Theresa and I have raised three that are now married and have their own children. I’ve had special one-on-one moments with each one over the years. However, my son, Matt and I, when he was small, would walk up to the convenience store close to our house, and on our way back we would always sit at our “secret” place and eat our ice-cream before walking home. We told each other that no one would ever know where this “secret” place of ours was. We had the most amazing talks at that personal spot that just he and I knew about. Now Matt has three of his own and to this day we still talk about our “secret” little place that was just for him and his papa. That was ever so, so special. Parents, remember, as it relates to our kids, one day the little things of life will become the big things of life. 

Psalm 90:12 “Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”

Fidel Gomez, Assistant Pastor, Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale

On this one I went to my kids and asked them. Our son: “Those hockey tournaments and early practices and games really stand out to me. Especially the games we lost. You taught me how to get back up and keep going and that win or lose you were proud of me.” Our daughter: “I really appreciate you taking me on dates growing up. As a teenager, the hands down most pivotal moment was when you showed up in the matching lime green tie to my senior prom dress & danced with me when I had no date.”

William “Bill” C. Davell, Director, Tripp Scott, Attorneys at Law 

Rivers is now 8. We love playing basketball together. I expect him to finally beat me one day in the Year 2037.

Bob Denison, President, Denison Yachting

Building legos and also cooking. Both provided time for great conversation and creativity.

Char Talmadge, Executive Director, Rescue Upstream

One of the most memorable days that I spent with my mother was a few years ago on her birthday. She joined me for the groundbreaking of the Four Season on Fort Lauderdale Beach. We followed that with a wonderful lunch at S3 at the Hilton Fort Lauderdale Beach, catching up on how she took my brother and me to swim practice at the Swimming Hall of Fame at that same beach many years before. The culmination of the day was asking her if she would like to join me at a political event to meet Senator Ted Cruz, which was set up by a friend of mine Dr. Jeffrey Feingold who just recently passed away.

 Chip LaMarca, State Representative, Florida House District 100

I have been able to take each of my boys on several one-on-one trips. I did the Passport to Purity with each of them and those were great times of studying God’s word and building lasting memories with a purpose. I also have taken them individually on trips to spend time together, to have intentional conversations and just hang out together exploring, visiting a city and bonding. I love that I have these memories that today we can talk about and laugh together.

Chris Lane, President, First Priority of South Florida

The parenting experts are certainly right, but some of the most memorable moments with my children have come not in the context of an event or a fun escape but during the critical turning points in their lives. Those hours when my unique wiring as a father came directly into play. Those minutes when another’s words or mingling of tears would not have sufficed. Those seconds of shared quiet. Praise God for those once-in-a-lifetime moments together. 

Chris Simpson, President, CBMC International

My one-on-one times with my kids usually happen as often as once a week for breakfast lunch or dinner when we get to share a meal and conversation on any topic they want at a restaurant of their choice. Also, I try to do one-on-one trips with each of my children. The boys have outpaced the girls with lots of fishing and hunting trips since my daughters are not as keen on those types of activities.  Having that type of time is easily as important as any golf game, business lunch or even Bible study or church activity.

H. Collins Forman, Jr., PA

My most memorable time with my mom was when I left the mission field to take care of her through twenty years of physical challenges: two broken hips, two broken shoulders, quintuple bypass heart surgery, a stroke, Parkinson’s disease, dementia and macular degeneration. We grew closer than we’d ever been as our Lord challenged me to love my “porcupine mom” into His Kingdom. He did a mighty work in her heart. At 92, she finally forgave everyone in her life and went “Home” gloriously. I had the privilege of being at her side as she breathed her last earth-air and first heaven-air. I saw a vision of her running to Jesus and presenting him the flower bouquet I had placed in her hands. “Precious in the eyes of the Lord is the death of His saints.” (Ps. 116:15)

Deborah Cusick, FAU Campus Volunteer, Intervarsity Christian Fellowship

As my pioneer parents were in the sunset of their lives after serving 38 years as Medical Missionaries in the bush of Africa,  I would spend afternoons with them asking what it was like to have 4 kids off the grid, hundreds of miles from a city surrounded by dangers.  The theme of their answers was always: “The safest and most exciting place to be, is in the will of the Lord Jesus Christ.”  Those were special conversations.

Don Campion, President, Banyan Air

When my oldest son was in eighth grade, he was allowed to go to Costa Rica with the high school kids that were connected to the church. It’s a long story, but when they landed in Costa Rica, the Pastor of the church they were staying at walked up to my son, and said that God was asking him to pray for this one particular boy! The Pastor laid hands on him. My son broke into tears and literally passed out. When he woke up he knew that he had seen God! The entire youth group was spellbound!

On my way home from Miami from picking him up at the airport. Neither one of us could drive on I-95 for more than a few miles without breaking down into tears and having to pull over and give each other a hug. It is a much longer story, but it was the most moving example of the Holy Spirit coming into a person I’ve ever experienced! He changed both of us for the rest of our lives! 

Fred Scarbrough, DVM, Founder, Scarbrough Animal Hospital and HOPE South Florida

Taking my two daughters to a Daddy Daughter Dance. I may not be the best dancer, but I was on cloud nine with my two daughters all dressed up for a night with their daddy. I got a little glimpse of how proud God is of us.

Jesse Carroccio, Station Manager, WRMB, Moody Radio

My daughter and I travel together often. Each trip adds wonderful memories to our story! One in particular was a long weekend turned longer in NYC in the dead of winter! Due to snow our flights were canceled so we enjoyed more precious time together seeing the sites, shopping and incredible food! More than grateful!

Helen Wayner P.A., Century 21 Hansen Realty

A recent memorable moment with my daughters was totally unplanned and spontaneous, and it turned out so fantastic beyond expectation. The three of us engaged during a regular drive to do errands. We pulled over to sit on the sand and watch the sunset. The conversation that ensued was so meaningful because it was raw and vulnerable, and it was evident that it came from places of vulnerability with one another. Minutes turned into hours, and then we lost track of time, such a sweet time together. 

Dr. Jessica Vera, President, Chief Executive Officer, Elite Foundation

I remember as a young girl my father used to read the Sunday “funnies” (cartoons) to me as I sat on his lap.  This time was very special to me and made me feel safe and loved.  

Dr. Mary Drabik, President, South Florida Bible College & Theological Seminary

Having raised five children, the youngest of whom is in her mid-30’s, I find it hard to pick out one memorable moment with one child. And even if I could, I would probably offend the other four!  So, I will pivot to my 15-year-old granddaughter, Emma. She was my first and only grandchild for 8 years. Last year she was taking a dance class and part of their performance was the Daddy-Daughter Dance. Her daddy, my son, was going to be out of town during that time and Emma asked me to pinch hit. Her mom told me not to feel pressured to do it. (Apparently, my lack of dancing skill was well known).  But I replied, “Emma has been leading me around by the hand since she was born, she might as well do it to music.” We went through a month or more of rehearsals, once a week, culminating in the big performance. We have a photo of me doing a lift with Emma to commemorate the event. I never danced better nor enjoyed it more!

Mike McDermott, PA, Seniors Real Estate Specialist, The Keyes Company

My sweetest memories were my summer one-on-one reading times with my boys. Sitting together in our big chair, we would read aloud together books like Gentle Ben, The Yearling, Where the Red Fern Grows, Summer of the Monkeys and Lord of the Rings.  These books took us on adventures filled with laughter and sometimes tears.  Not only did our reading time give the boys a love for reading, but it also created a bond between me and each of them that has only deepened over time.  Now they’re adults and they both still love reading. I only wish I could still read with them!

Oksana Horton, Creative Director, Torch and Trumpet Theatre Company

The most memorable time that I spent with my child on one-on-one was when I took her to Dave and Buster, where we ate lunch, played games and played a few rounds of minigolf, just to find out that my daughter was very good at playing minigolf. She and I had a wonderful time together and she really enjoyed it because Dave and Buster was one of her favorite places to go. Of course, we had to go again the next month to play another round of minigolf.

O’Neal Dozier, Pastor, The Worldwide Christian Center

There are so many memorable times I was able to spend with my children, but reading books together was always one of our favorites. One set of books I remember was CS Lewis’ Chronicles of Narnia. It was heartwarming and exciting to see them find God in so many ways and places in this world. Another set of books was the My Side of the Mountain series by Jean Craighead George. Here they learned that survival in our world is attainable through education and hard work. This is just a few of the many books and memories we shared.

Patricia Colangelo, EdS, Lecturer, Professor, Trinity International University – Florida

My most memorable childhood memory one-on-one was one time my Dad took me fishing… (there were 11 children in my family, so one-on-one time was rare). To be honest, I don’t remember if I ever caught any fish that day. I do remember my fishing line getting tangled in the tree branches above me when I was casting and how patient my Dad was untangling it (the hook may have never made it into the water that day, ever)… BUT I FELT SO SPECIAL…BECAUSE I WAS WITH MY DAD

Coach Rick Andreassen, Founder and President, Saints Homeschool P.E. and Saints International Sports Ministry

The most memorable time spent with my two sons has to be on golf courses. You have a captive audience, doing what we all love, and time to talk about anything!

Romney C. Rogers, Managing Partner, Rogers, Morris & Ziegler, LLP 

As a parent of four young children, it is challenging for my wife and I to get one-on-one time with each child. A year or so ago, we were actually inspired by a family that has five children that incorporated date nights into their weekly routine. As impossible as I thought this was, we put them on our calendar to have each of us have one-on-time with each child in a weekly rotation. It takes a while to get to them all, but every week, memories are made as we have dinner together and, of course, their favorite dessert. Would highly recommend it for every parent to do. 

Steve Daigle, Campus Pastor, Calvary Chapel Parkland

My mother was diagnosed with cancer in 2007. We spent so much time together. Being her caregiver was a blessing and a gift from God. Whatever she needed, praise God I was able to provide. Because of the treatments, she lived beyond the time that was originally given to her. In one of our conversations, she shared a lot of things that I didn’t know about her childhood. This really helped me gain a deep understanding of who she was. And that brought clarity on some things I was really confused about. God is so very good. And even though I didn’t think I needed understanding; He knew that I did. That was one of the richest times we spent together. And overall, one of the most meaningful for me. She passed away several months later. She is celebrating life in her heavenly home with our amazing Savior.

Tewannah Aman, Executive Director, Broward Right to Life

Read last month’s GNWTK at: https://www.goodnewsfl.org/good-news-wants-to-know-skill/