Family traditions help provide to each family member a home, environment, and relationships of purpose in a world of confusion, disorganization, and decreasing morals and values. Traditions provide families the desired foundation of comfort, familiarity, and consistency, which certainly helps ensure that family disunity, dysfunction, and eventual separation does not occur. And yet, the most effective family traditions are not those that only occur annually on certain holidays – they are made evident in daily and weekly habits and actions that are simple, yet significant.
No, these traditions are not about large meals, big events, fancy decorations, or annual celebrations – these are the very traditions that help define who we are, determine our personal and family happiness, and even the eventual outcome of our children. As you will see below, there are 15 family traditions listed (the first 15 are contained in part 1 of the Family Traditions article series), and there certainly could be hundreds more listed. These 30 listed, however, are traditions that make a difference because they require effort, creativity, consistency, and most importantly – the ability to make time for the most important relationships in life – our family!
16) Monthly Family Nights: Perhaps every 3rd Sunday is ‘Popcorn and Pop’ night. Every 4th Friday is ‘Family Movie Night.’ Every 1st Saturday is ‘Family Game Night.’ Etc. – be creative!
17) ‘I Love You’: Not only will parent(s) say ‘I Love You’ before each child goes to bed, but each child too will say ‘I Love You’ to each sibling and parent before going to bed.
18) Dinner Q&A: Frequently allow child(ren) to ask questions and have open discussions at dinner time. It can be anything from homework related, to issues with friends, to things they are wondering about, something they heard at school, etc. While the questions and answers are important – the most important aspect of this tradition is creating an environment where children feel comfortable talking to and coming to parents (not friends, the internet, or any other source) for their answers and help. (And – make eating a meal together daily a tradition/habit as well).
19) Bed Time Stories / Reading: Make sure you read stories to your children each night before bed. If children are older, have them read a good book (not homework related) – simply to develop a love for books and an increased ability to read.
20) Family Journal: Keep a family journal, and encourage kids to keep a personal journal. Write in it often.
21) Holiday Significance: Ensure that each holiday, you at least take 20-30 minutes talking about, celebrating, or learning more about the significance of that holiday.
22) Cultural & Educational Nights: Go to the library and rent books or DVD’s on other cultures. Buy food from other cultures, and have occasional meals from other cultures. Invite neighbors and friends over who are of a different background, country, religion, or culture. Listen to music from other cultures. In addition – check out books, DVD’s, documentaries, etc. – not for entertainment but for educational insight and intellectual development.
23) Family Service Activities: Put it into the calendar that every other month (or as often as you prefer) you as a family will help volunteer in some type of community service project / activity.
24) No TV, Movies, or Internet Night: Turn off the TV, don’t rent a movie, and do NOT turn on the internet / computer for one night. Do this once a month. The goal of course is to simply spend time as a family, play games, go visit a friend or neighbor, do some service, work in the yard, go for a run or bike ride, read a book, etc. But do it as a family!
25) Family Sleepovers / Campouts: In the summertime – go out in the backyard and just camp-out. Sleep under the stars with the kids – put up a tent, pull out the sleeping bags, tell stories, play night games, etc. During the winter – simply camp out in the family room. Watch a movie together, play games, tell jokes … just have fun and spend time together.
26) ‘Bedtime Talks’: Make it a goal (tradition), at least once a week, to just have ‘talks’ with each child when they go to bed. Do it one on one in their room, and just talk. Laugh, tell jokes, and build friendships. More importantly, listen, teach, and love!
27) ‘Sponsor a Child’: Have each child contribute a small amount of money and ‘sponsor’ a child in a developing country.
28) Yearly Intellectual Activities: Once a year, have an ‘animal day’ and visit the pet shop, animal shelter, or pound. Collect insects, feed birds, or ride horses. Develop an appreciation for animals. Likewise, have an annual ‘music day.’ Go to a play, an opera, a musical. ‘Museum or Art Days’ – go visit an art exhibit or local museum, etc. ‘Education day’ – tour a local university, buy a new book, talk about and prepare for future schooling/education, etc. The list could go on and on – be creative!
29) Annual History Day: Make it a point, at least once a year, to go visit local historical spots, museums, significant places, etc.
30) Once a Month ‘Invite a Neighbor Over’: Each month, invite a neighbor (friend or relative) into your home. Be a friend and get to know them. Don’t rent a movie or watch TV – instead, play games together, share a meal, and just have fun!
To your family’s success!
I never imagined how much stuff you could find online about this! Thank you for making it all simple to understand