Family Traditions

It's important in this every changing world we live in that we take the time to focus on the family.  What better way to do this than to start some (or revive some) family tradtions.  Children (and adults) need to feel a sense of belonging, and security.   Focusing

Some suggestions for family traditions may include a family day or night or afternoon.  Designate time as a family to discuss the interests that you are pursing.  Take the time to learn about what your children are interested in.  Perhaps take the time to learn about a new hobby together. 

Take  the everyday routine and tweek it up a little.  Reserve mealtimes for family discussions about your day.  Turn the TV off and unplug the phone, and just talk.  Make it a part of your everyday (if possible) routine.  Become more interested in each other.  When families share mealtimes they are telling each other that they are the most important people and that your time together is important.  It's a wonderful way to increase everyone's sense of self and belonging.

Work as a family on getting the household chores done.  Designate time (depending on schedules) where the family can work together to accomplish tasks.  Plan a reward for the completion of the chores.  Maybe a pizza night or a trip to the local video store to rent some movies.

The importance of family traditions is very important to children and especially to teens who are going through a highly insecure and volitive period in their lives.  The sense of belonging is extremely important.  Family traditions should always come first.  Obligations to the family unit should take precedence to the obligations to anyone else, including friends and work.  as soon as we make exceptions to the expectations then the family is in danger of losing those traditions that we hold so dear.

If we focus our attention on each other everyone is happier in the long run.