Family Traditions: Part II

Yesterday, I began a discussion of the importance and benefits of family rituals and traditions.  I shared my favorite resource on this topic:  The Book of New Family Traditions by Meg Cox. 

Today I want to share some of my favorite rituals from her book as well as those that we have incorporated into our own family. 

Now the book covers rituals for holidays; family festivities and ceremonies (such as birthdays, etc.); daily, weekly, and monthly rituals; and finally rites of passage.  Here's just a sampling of some of the rituals that have gotten thumbs up from my kids:

• Balloon Forest:  Decorate the dining room on your child's birthday with 25 to 30 regular balloons inflated with helium.  Let them bounce up to the ceiling keeping the ribbons long.  They get so excited when they see all the balloons!
• Pep Talk in Chalk:  Write messages on the side walk using sidewalk chalk such as "good luck" or "have fun" on the first day of school.  The love it!
• Playing hooky:  Once a year, I pick my son up early from school and he and I go do something fun, e.g., a movie, etc. He has no idea when this day is coming or what we will be doing.  For the record, I do this on a day when it will not interfere with any important school lessons or tests.
• Yes Day:  Have your child write down things they can't do at the moment (like wear their pajamas all day) and put it in the "yes jar."  Once a month on "yes day" have them pull a request from the jar and let them do it.  Make sure it is a day where you are going to be able to accommodate their requests!
• Monster Spray:  Take a spray bottle and fill it with water and some food coloring.  At bedtime, spray the monsters under the bed, closet, etc.  Great way to ease night time fears!

My kids personal favorites:

• Ice cream for breakfast.
• A day off from chores!

Do you have any fun rituals that you do with your family?  If so, what are they?  Post for all to see!

Comments

[Amber]

What great ideas! Our kids are both young so we're in the midst of establishing our traditions. One of my favorites is "Family Snuggles" where we all pile in our bed, talk about our day, read books and say prayers. It's a fabulous way to end our day.

[chichimama]

We're still woking on those. The only one so far is letting the kids stay up really late on the night we decorate the tree. My son thought it was "really cool" last year.

Oh, and Christmas cooking making. It's a BIG DEAL from my childhood that I seem to be carrying on...

I like the yes day idea. I'll have to try that one.

[Jill Urbane, The Mentor Mom]

Great to hear you guys already have some traditions/rituals in place! And chichimama, the "yes day" will be met with rave reviews :)