Next comes planning the actual event — it should be special but not necessarily extravagant. David and Peggy Wilber, for example, helped their 10-year-old son plan his baptism. Instead of being baptized at their home church, Michael decided he wanted to be baptized in a lake at a family camp they attended annually. The pastor who baptized him was an uncle; everyone at the campground knew the Wilbers well, and several special, surprise guests arrived to witness the moment. Because Michael helped with the planning, the people who were the most spiritually significant to him could be there — Grandma, cousins, uncles and aunts. Now a special holiday retreat will also be the place of a milestone memory for Michael.

Just as you would for a birthday party, invite grandparents, other relatives and any other interested people to celebrate milestone moments. These could be your child’s Christian classmates, his or her coaches, music teachers or former teachers. Do whatever it takes to create a charged atmosphere, a sense of grandeur about the occasion.

Spiritual milestones convey to your child that you love them enough to create a special time to teach them. The time and expense involved both monetarily and emotionally are worth the cost. They will leave your child with memories — milestone markers — to cherish and cling and help shape their spiritual identity.

Conveying your blessing to your children can be done with fanfare. Children need and long to hear that they are growing up in a way that pleases both you and God.