Lately I have been thinking about the value of traditions and consistency in our childrens lives.
Most of us have one or more family traditions. They could be annually,monthly or even daily. In America we celebrate Independence day with fireworks and cookouts with our family and friends. In my family we have set aside Tuesday ,for the time being, as our “family devotional night”.
Family traditions provide great value that last far beyond the moment. Traditions provide stability. Regardless of what happens in our lives, traditions will not change. I remember as a child every Christmas Eve my cousins, aunts and uncles would gather together at my grandparents house and my grandaddy would always open in a word of prayer before we would exchange gifts and began our annual paper ball fight! Now that my grandaddy is no longer with us and most family has moved on with their own family I know every Christmas Eve can still provide stability to my grandmother by maintaining our family traditions.
We sadly live in a generation where it is hard to keep up with extended family members and impossible to reach those who are long gone. Traditions create a bridge between young and old and past and present. Traditions give us a sense of identity it is one thing that makes us unique to other families. I remember one Christmas my mother decided to sew my sister and I each a stocking and she wrote on the back the year we were born. I still have this stocking many years later. It brings back those good memories as a child during the holiday season. I also have a Mickey Mouse tree topper that my mother passed down to me and years later my children will remember this tree topper every Christmas on our tree.
Traditions Just Happen!
Sometimes traditions just happen. The first Christmas holiday we spent in our neighborhood my children and I decided to make a plate of goodies for our wonderful neighbors. From then on we now have made it a tradition and our neighbors have also joined in on exchanging goodies every Christmas! This was not planned it just happened and now we have made it a tradition within our family.
Traditions include everyone!
Whether that is bringing a side dish to a family get together or coloring Easter eggs. Traditions involve everyone.
Traditions reflect faith!
Make it a point to reflect your faith to your children even with the minor holidays. An example of this would be Valentines Day we love because he first loved us! One tradition my husband has maintained from his childhood is reading the Christmas story on Christmas morning before we dig into presents. We reflect on Jesus gift to us.
Serve others with our traditions
My father and mother started a ministry at our church a few years ago where people in the church can pick a child to sponsor at a childrens home that our church supports. These children come from abused, neglected and abandoned homes. We decided as a family we would sponsor a children the age of each of our children so our kids will be able to serve others during this time of the year. My children look forward to this each year! They also have learned to be compassionate towards others that may not have as much as they have.
Traditions are obviously good for our families!
Research suggest families gain greater feeling of closeness, belonging and connection. This is a time that creates opportunity for interaction between one another that might otherwise not take place. Consistency gives a child a sense of security. Children experience less anxiety!
My children never ask if we are going to church on Sundays or Wednesdays. We have made it a routine as a family church is where we will be on these days. We also place value when we stay consistent. I hope you will remember the many traditions you have made thru out the years and carry them on to your children.
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