Rituals
April 3, 2008|
Today, our post had a social worker speak about raising resilient children. One of her points was that family rituals help create structure for children, especially during times of upheaval. I thought about my family's main rituals: Friday afternoon cookies and Friday night pizza. (The rest are about food, too, if you are seeing a connection.) My kids seem to enjoy the regularity of those two things, things we are able to do even during a move, while traveling, or while Dad is deployed.
What rituals has your family created? I would love to add to our collection!
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While Hubby is gone for any length of time the Kiddos have a slumber party on the living room floor. Popcorn and movies flow all night. They love it and it gives them time to unwind after a long week.
Posted by: Reasa | 04/03/2008 at 17:05
We also do the Friday Night Pizza Night-but it's generally combined with a family movie (Friday Night Pizza and Movie Night).
Also, when Dad is gone (deployed, TDY) the kids are allowed to sleep in our room on weekends. They take turns with who gets to share the bed and who gets the mat on the floor next to me. The hubby cannot stand having kids sleeping in our room so this is a special treat.
Many nights (when there's no Daddy) we have Read In Night (spend the whole evening in jammies, and stay up late reading in our room). Those are usually when I feel like curling up with a trashy romance novel and not parenting, but now that my kids are readers it works for them as well!
We have been traveling over Easter and always do a scavenger hunt to find where the Bunny hid the basket.
kirsten
Posted by: kirsten | 04/03/2008 at 19:27
Chinese Food on Holidays, celebrating Bastille Day, and planning day trips.
Lots and lots of day trips! And we listen to books on cd in the car.
Posted by: airforcewife | 04/03/2008 at 20:28
We had pizza fridays even when I was a kid, so I still do that. The other thing we did was Sunday morning bagels and the paper, which my dad got before everyone woke up. We'd all sit around the table and read the paper at breakfast, passing it around so everyone got to read their favorite parts. It was nice.
Posted by: Ann M. | 04/04/2008 at 00:45
The first night in a new home was champagne & sparkliing grape juice with Pizza Hut delivery -- eaten on the floor & boxes.
Christmas Eve cheese fondue with bread & apples.
Birthday person chooses the menu -- or where to eat out. Birthday person also chooses homemade birthday cake. Some menus & cake choices continue even after 10+ years!
Same Easter Baskets (redecorated with new bows) year after year, wherever we are/were.
Boy Scouts/Girl Scouts were important ways to fit right in whenever & wherever.
Posted by: Angie | 04/05/2008 at 22:09
I love your first night dinner. We've been struggling to prepare fish sticks and mac'n'cheese for first meals! Thanks for the great suggestions, Angie.
Posted by: She of the Sea | 04/06/2008 at 09:21
When my husband is deployed or on a mission during the holidays we leave the angel off the top of our Christmas tree. My husband puts the angel on every year, it is his special job.
Posted by: Kathleen | 04/18/2008 at 19:00
Kathleen, that is a lovely thing to do! Thanks for sharing it with us.
Posted by: She of the Sea | 04/18/2008 at 20:21