Dad Reminds Parents: 'Create Magical Moments With Your Children'

Last March 2024, we asked readers to submit photos capturing the raw and unfiltered moments of parenthood. Out of thousands of entries, 50 best fatherhood moments were selected and announced on Father’s Day. This article is part of a series that delves into the stories behind the 10 winning photos of Smart Parenting’s Parenthood 100 photo contest.

A photo of their family of three channeling the beloved characters of the Disney film, Moana, was Eugene Rijn Saratorio's entry to the Smart Parenting Parenthood 100 photo contest. 

He shared that the photo was taken at their favorite beach, which holds countless memories for their family, "My daughter and her mom, dressed as Moana, stand confidently with their arms outstretched towards, embodying the spirit of adventure. I’m next to my daughter, channeling Maui with a makeshift “fish hook” crafted from styro. My wife, the heart of our family, captured this moment using a timer and a camera on a tripod."

^{Eugene Saratorio's winning photo entry to Smart Parenting's Parenthood 100 photo contest, entitled 'Disney Dream Team'}

This coincides with Disney releasing the teaser for the much-awaited Moana sequel last May.

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Dad reminds parents: Create magical moments with your kids

Both Eugene and his wife, Kierrah, are photographers, so they love creating and capturing magical moments with their child, "We wanted to immerse ourselves in the characters and share a joyful and imaginative experience with our only daughter. It was also a way to document and cherish our time together, adding to the collection of memories that make our family unique and connected forever."

He reminds parents to do the same: create magical moments with their kids in their favorite places.

^{Eugene, his wife, and their daughter}

"The beach where we took this photo is a special place for us. It’s where we frequently go to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Interestingly, the piece of shell we used as Maui’s hook was something our daughter found on a previous visit and insisted we keep because it looked 'magical.' It seemed fitting to incorporate it into our photo."

Why creating magical moments with your child is important

Creating fun moments with your children, like taking a vacation, has been proven by numerous studies to give them positive memories that they will cherish as they grow up. In an article by Psychology Today, David Schwartz, a licensed marriage and family therapist, revealed that finding ways to make things special can have long-lasting benefits to children. 

"It doesn’t have to be something that takes a lot of time or a lot of money. It just requires a fun spirit and a little creativity to make something that is already special, even more so," Schwartz emphasized.

For Eugene, their photo is also a reminder for parents to embrace the benefits of spending quality time with their children, "Imagination and play are vital for children’s development, and participating in these experiences strengthens family bonds. By engaging in their interests and bringing stories to life, we can foster a sense of wonder and connection that will stay with our children throughout their lives."

This dad goes on weekly dates with his daughter. Read tips on how you can do it too, here.