We recommend that you wait at least 16 years before allowing your
child to open his or her Baby's Time Capsule. This time frame will
ensure that a variety of change has taken place-and that your child
will be old enough to appreciate the effort that has gone into preparing
it as well as the intrinsic value of its contents. Here are a few
suggestions:
16th BIRTHDAY
Other than becoming a teenager, this is the first age milestone
that recognizes your child is nearing adulthood. Historically, 16th
birthdays have held special significance in U.S. culture. If your
child is of above-average maturity and clearly appreciates items
of historical value, his or her 16th birthday could present the
opportunity to open Baby's Time Capsule. Caution: Opening Baby's
Time Capsule at this early age could minimize the overall impact
if your child is not old enough to fully appreciate its significance.
18th BIRTHDAY
This, the age of legal adulthood in the United States, could present
a fine opportunity to open Baby's Time Capsule. Maybe your child
will be headed off to college-or that first apartment. You may want
to open the capsule in conjunction with your child's high school
graduation celebration. Once again, this timing would be acceptable
only if your child is clearly more mature than most contemporaries.
21st BIRTHDAY
As another cultural milestone, your child's 21st birthday could
very well be the ideal opening date. College graduation day-or the
day your child lands his or her first "real" job-presents
a fine opportunity for an opening celebration.
25th BIRTHDAY
This is likely the better age to open Baby's Time Capsule. Most
children have completed their education, landed a responsible job,
and have begun learning how to manage their personal affairs. Maybe
your child will be thinking of marriage or children at this point
in life. This is the age at which your child would be most likely
to fully appreciate the value of his or her Baby's Time Capsule-and
the effort that you took to complete it 25 years ago.
THE DAY YOUR CHILD'S FIRST CHILD (YOUR GRANDCHILD) IS BORN
The arrival of the next generation-the birth of your grandchild-presents
the perfect opportunity for your child (an appreciative new parent)
to open his or her Baby's Time Capsule. What better way to convey
the careful effort and unique perspective that went into the creation
of this decades-old commitment? The gift of a Baby's Time Capsule
for your newborn grandchild would be a wonderful culmination to
your own child's Time Capsule opening ceremony.
