Fun Traditions to Start With Your Kids
Parents hope kids have fond memories of home after they have grown up. Shared special times build love, trust and a sense of belonging among family members. Creating family traditions that are both fun and meaningful is a way to make special memories, but these traditions don’t have to be expensive or extravagant. Your kids just want your positive attention and to know that they are important to you and can feel secure in your love.
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Family Activity Night
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Choose one night a month, or more often if you like, for your family to get together and do something enjoyable together. If you have trouble finding an option everyone enjoys, rotate the opportunity to choose the family activity. Take in a movie together as a family on dollar night or rent a favorite film to watch at home. Pull out the board games and play together or have a picnic under the stars after a bike ride. Attend games if one family member plays team sports; join a bowling league; or play miniature golf in local tournaments.
One-on-One Time
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Spend quality one-on-one time with each of your children every month doing something you both enjoy to keep your relationship fresh and let your child know he is important to you. Take your child out to dinner at his favorite fast food joint or enjoy a picnic in the park while you listen to your child talk about his concerns or favorite subjects. Snuggle together as you read books or watch a much-loved video. Window-shop with a kid who loves to shop. While this may seem more feasible in two-parent families, ask grandparents or a close friend to help with other children if you are a single parent.
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Thanksgiving Tree
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Thanksgiving activities should occur more often than just once a year, so you and your family should create a Thanksgiving Tree tradition in which family members list their blessings. Create a tree out of craft paper or paper shopping bags and cut leaves out of construction paper; encourage family members to write on at least one leaf for each family member, affirming value and appreciation for the individual. Remove the leaves from the tree and take turns reading the leaves during a family meal. Repeat this step for several weeks, every few months, and save the leaves to remember special memories. Alternatively, use the leaves for each family member to create their own Thanksgiving Tree to read. Save general blessings on a family tree.
You Are Special Day
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Affirm the uniqueness and value of each family member with a “You Are Special” family tradition. On random days, especially when life has been stressful, take time to tell a family member why he is special. Rotate who receives this attention, and make the compliments sincere and specific, such as: “I appreciate how you ask me if I need help”; or “I appreciate your hugs and kisses each night.” Alternatively, write the compliments on a white board, large poster board or sheet of oversized paper. Try to fill the space with positive comments.
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