Creating Family Traditions

September signals the beginning of the fall/autumn season in our home and that means our family traditions begin. Raising children to believe in family traditions was top on my list of things I wanted to accomplish. There seems to be so much competition for time between school, after school activities, the electronics world, and school friends. Spending time with each other must be developed early so when everyone ages, the value of those relationships grows and is maintained. As children grow and start their own families, the traditions can be started in their own homes.

While it is tempting to go crazy with starting lots of traditions, quality versus quantity is best and more enjoyable. Traditions need to appeal not only to the adults but also to the kids. If you look back on your childhood some of the most silly and simple activities was what created the fun and great memories. Once you establish your traditions, they need to be practiced regularly to bring meaning. It is easy to throw traditions out the window when life gets busy ,and you are tired. But, commiting to the tradition keeps it as an activity or time of the year which all look forward to year after year.

Categories to Consider

Family Meals

Family Prayer

Family Games

Family Bedtime Stories

Family Trips

Family Walks

Family TV Shows

Family Meetings

Family Hunting Traditions

Family Sports Parties

Family Holiday Traditions

 

Creating a positive family culture starts with family traditions.

 

Labor Day was a special day as that meant a trip to the local apple orchard for apple picking and lunch.  My kids seemed to love the experience and they all remember those trips and the fun we had together.  It was not hard work but the togetherness was fun. They all can recite many of the funny events, who picked the biggest apple, and who could eat the most for lunch were just a few of the memories they recall as adults.  

October means pumpkins, pumpkins, and more pumpkins. Carving pumpkins and holding a contest for the best pumpkin was something our family did each year. But, an important part was the trip to the local pumpkin patch for us each to find the perfect pumpkin. Although we grow pumpkins in our garden, the perfect carving pumpkin to display came best from a pumpkin patch with thousands to choose from.  We also wanted the perfectly round pumpkin so we stood a better chance of winning the grand prize to be determined by the parents! We are also getting our minds in the thanksgiving mode and having gratitude is rising to the top of our minds. Although we should have gratitude and thanksgiving always it slips the minds of many in the mists of hectic daily life.

November and December was not only about family but what service we can do for others.  Thanksgiving is a time to reflect and honor others. Performing an act of service for someone in need is a great way to spend the Thanksgiving season.

We as a family work hard to plan time together is the mist of very busy lives with jobs, children, and the hustle and bustle of daily lives.  Planning ahead will ensure the hostess will indeed enjoy the holiday as well. The annual national holiday commemorates a harvest festival celebrated by the Pilgrims.  This has been a long celebrated holiday which has gone through transitions over time. Gratitude should never change which should be held most precious. It is a day which means more than 4 day weekends, football, games, floats, family reunions, or a forerunner to Christmas.

Our family preserves that which is held most precious to us.

To gather in unity together in celebration of a common purpose.  Our children are grown however, we work hard to be together around Thanksgiving especially now that they have their own children.  It is a sharing of our victories, struggles, and stories of heritage which helps us find strength for a new year. And most of all to give thanks.

To teach the young in stories retold, and each generation brings purpose and history of heritage.  Pictures and movies frequently get pulled out and the family legacy is retold.

The prayer of Thanksgiving before the meal help form the family tradition and is led by “Dad/Granddad/Husband.

To prepare the heart in gratitude we reflect for another year all the gifts that bless our lives (health, family, friends). Praising God has been long been a part of our Thanksgiving.  Thanksgiving begins in our home with acknowledging God as faithful, giving Him thanks, in advance, for His abundant blessings. “In everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God” (Philippians 4:6).  

To express gratitude for all we have is a key element to be taught to young children and as parents it is our job to teach and reinforce this concept early.  In the mist of times when things may not be going well there will always be a opportunity to express gratitude.

To do for others can be done in many ways and however your family chooses to do random acts of kindness or community service, it will create memories with your family during the holidays and throughout the entire year.