|
10/04/2016
Family traditions and rituals are activities you do consistently together that tell the story of your family. Anything from having a family pizza or movie night to attending church to playing board games can constitute a family tradition.
Family traditions are very important for the happiness, mental health, and well-being of children. Special rituals instill kids with a sense of security, connection, and identity while counteracting loneliness and anxiety.
As parents, the three main types of traditions you need to establish with your kids are daily connections, weekly connections, and life-changing moments. Daily connections include eating family dinners or reading stories together at bedtime. This special time allows you to interact face-to-face with your kids and discuss your values and cultural heritage. Weekly connections are the special things you do on the weekend that everyone looks forward to, such as making breakfast together on Saturday morning. Life-changing moments are the traditions in which we celebrate milestones and make a big fuss, such as the first day of school or a graduation.
If you come from a family that didn’t have any traditions, then get creative and start building your own. Make sure you include all three types outlined above!
Want more Dr. Laura? Join the Dr. Laura Free Family to listen to Dr. Laura's daily Call of the Day and receive her Daily Dose newsletter!
|
