The Importance Of Family Traditions

With Thanksgiving here, time with family and friends to participate in ongoing family traditions is greatly anticipated. I enjoy baking the day before, and my entire family is together on Thanksgiving (at Christmas, busy schedules take us in different directions; so this togetherness means a lot).

Pumpkin and apple pie are standard fare, which Mom and I prepare the day before while my daughters, now 6 and 3, help by putting in the dry ingredients and generally enjoying the mess and smells of it all. And yes, we also bake cake;  last year, blueberry pound cake won the applause.

Our family can count on 20-25 people showing up, eating the traditional turkey and trimmings, then engaging in games like Yahtzee (perennial favorite) and Monopoly if time allows. Football is a part of the routine, which includes the Colts and Packers. Having lived in Wisconsin, the Pack is always in a bit of my heart. This year, one cousin will be thought of as he joined the Army and is in basic training Ft. Benning, Ga.

A family tradition is something that is recreated, year after year. Families that share in their own traditions provide a sense of comfort and security to their family, especially the children involved. Children love routine and consistency; a family tradition provides this year after year. It also helps the children manage the changes in the year and gives them something to look forward to.

    In addition, family traditions enhance family and personal well-being, and can also add to the family identity. Strong family bonds are created and reinforced with traditions that are upheld and maintained. As children grow and mature, traditions can also be altered or changed to accommodate each family’s needs. For example, perhaps a family with young children has a tradition of singing Christmas carols around their Christmas tree. As the children age, their tradition could evolve into caroling around their neighborhood.

    Family traditions need not be formal, fancy or cost money. They do not necessarily have to revolve around the holidays – family traditions can be shared any day or time of the year. While we bake pies together to ready for the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, perhaps other families opt to take a walk every Christmas morning or enjoy exchanging White Elephant gifts during celebrations. Traditions are what you want to make them.

Other ideas to create family traditions include:

• Read the Christmas story or a book, such as “The Night Before Christmas,’ aloud, prior to opening Christmas gifts

• Weekly or monthly family movie night

• Have a yearly family talent show

• Create crafts together

• Make candy or prepare meals together

• Have an annual family camping trip

• Have your own family sporting tournament with a traveling trophy to be awarded to the winning family each year

• Participate in a local 5K Run/Walk

• Prepare, Serve or deliver meals to those in need

• Go caroling together

No matter what family tradition is selected or created, the rhythm of activities anticipated each year strengthens family bonds. Traditions help create warm, positive memories that can be recalled fondly and draw family members back to one another year after year.

Cossey is Youth First Social Worker at Good Shepherd School in Evansville.