[MomofSixLilLadies]

I'm having a hard time getting my kids to want to learn more about our family history. Its like they just don't care.
Any suggestions from moms out there who have succeeded in this?

[vanessalovesbabies]

I was visiting Sacramento yesterday and saw a whole segment on how kids are getting interested in family history because of Tamagotchis - those virtual pets that were really popular.
link removed by admin

[PennySteed]

How old are your little ladies? How active are you in your history? My little guys are a little young to be as excited as I am, but my 8 year old loves to hear the funny stories from when people were young. I didn't get really active until I was a teenager, and that was only because of my love of history.

[MissyChrissy]

I have no idea...I'm 32 and I don't care about my history. I mean, I care about my relatives that I know-my greatgrandparents...but as far as our total family history and where we came from? Nah..I'm just not curious.

[Holyhabanero]

For kids, their life revolves around play, having fun, stories etc, so if you try to sit them down and have them decipher census records, they will lose interest fast.

Generally speaking, library research is too sedate of an activity for kids, but that's only a part of genealogy. If you instill in them a love of their history, by telling them interesting stories of ancestors, or making them detectives and have them help you find the gravestone of a long lost relative, they will enjoy it. Having your kids keep a daily or weekly journal is another way to help them be more interested in the lives of their ancestors who may also have done the same. Just remember that genealogy doesn't have to be boring, if you tailor it to the level of your kids, they will, over time, develop a love for genealogy, and their ancestors..

[beth]

I had the same problem myself until my daughter had to do a project at school on her family tree. I chose the most "child-friendly" ancestor, a daughter of an English peer who eloped with a blacksmith, and she quickly became more interested. It appealed to the romantic in her, but if you have boys, there may be an enterprising male ancestor you could start out with. I also put photos up on the wall of our ancestors. Faces are very appealing. I wouldn't say she was interested in her family tree but it probably develops more with age. The popularity of "Who do you think you are?" which I understand is soon to be screened in the US should help as you can watch famous people trace their own ancestry. However, for many people the dead do not really exist and there's little you can do about it if your child happens to be interested in other things. You can only try!

[chio88]

Maybe if they come to experience being around them

[jmmv08]

Just remember that genealogy doesn't have to be boring,
if you tailor it to the level of your kids, they will, over time, develop a love for genealogy, and their ancestors...

It's true. I agree.