Family Traditions

I'm finding out the importance of family traditions now that my children are grown. The stories my children tell are of the traditions we had as they were growing up in our family. The value of the traditions continue when those traditions are carried out in their own families or blended with the traditions of each one's spouse's family. My daughter and her husband had a lengthly discussion as to what should be on top of the Christmas tree - an angel or a star. Each family was different. I had to laugh.
I came from a family where there wasn't a great deal of emphasis on those traditions. When my husband and I got married I let him know that it was important to me that we establish some traditions in our family. He came from a family steeped in tradition. As our family grew there was always room for flexibility in our traditions to match the needs and stage of life of our family. Some of those traditions are still intact today.
Children find security in traditions. It is something they can look forward to as they anticipate an event or holiday in life. We are able to enrich the lives of those in our family with the stories that become part of our family heritage by establishing traditions. A tradition doesn't have to be something that involves a great deal of expense. It can be a very simple thing, but one that is always there. Every family has their own and they are just right for that family. The following are just a few of our family traditions.

• Every year for the first day of school our children received a letter from us filled with hope and promises about the new school year along with the message that Jesus loved them more than we did.
• We have several Nativities throughout the house at Christmas. Jesus cannot be in the creche until Christmas. Our son delighted in trying to hide Jesus so that when Christmas came we would be in a panic looking for Him.
• Each family member was allowed to choose the menu for dinner on his/her birthday.
• If a family member cooks dinner, that family member does not have to clean up afterwards.
• On the last day of school we would take a trip to the bookstore by Grandma and Grandpa's house to buy books to read over the summer. This worked until the books were getting read before we got home from our little trip. We then became avid library patrons.
• There was never a schedule on a vacation.
• Every New Years Eve we would go to a hotel and spend the night with dear friends. The next morning, most years, we would go hiking at Starved Rock. It was great!
• We generally solved family issues by having a family meeting.
• Our best tradition is our faith. We love our Lord as a family. It is not just a tradition for us, but a way of life. I give thanks to God that we've been able to hand down our love for the Lord to both our children and grandchildren. Our parting words to our grandchildren are always, Love you. Jesus loves you even more!

These are just some of our family traditions. I would love to hear about yours and those you've taken from your growing up years and adopted for your own family.

Are You Hiding in the Bathroom?

I still remember a time when I just went into our bathroom and shut the door for two minutes of peace and quiet. Our children were young and my husband and I worked opposite schedules which was great savings in childcare, but challenging to our marriage and raising two children. I also remember wondering if I would ever be able to do something alone without little hands trying to do it with me. Many of you may be in a similar situation especially with these economic times challenging family budgets. There is no doubt about it, parenting is one of the most difficult jobs a person could ever do. A parent is on call 24/7 whether at work or at home. Parent s of young children will likely never be as tired as they are during this time. I might argue that parenting teens can be as exhausting if, like me, you can't go to sleep until they are home and in bed. It is a very physically, mentally and emotionally demanding time. Right now someone is wondering when I'm going to get to the good news. Here it is. All of the above is true and although I am a grandmother I haven't forgotten the demands and exhaustion of that stage of life. It is also a very fulfilling time which may be why I've always enjoyed working with young children.
Young children have an amazing sense of wonder about EVERYTHING. They overflow with unconditional love, (except for their siblings), and dabbling in the world of make believe can just be magical. You are the most important person in the world to them in every sort of way. That won't happen again until their late twenties or early thirties. When young children tell me about the love they have for Jesus my heart just melts! There is no greater joy than hearing children share their faith with amazing exuberance! Christian parents live to hear it.
Do you still want two minutes in the bathroom for peace and quiet? Sure you do. Take it. Do something kind for yourself. Take time to talk to God and accept His peace and love for you. Then enjoy this magical time. It goes by much quicker than you think.