Do you respect family rituals?
Jan 08, 2006
Do you ever miss your family while you are away? Many parents can stay away from their children for several weeks without becoming homesick. Strange, isn’t it?
Do you ever miss your family while you are away? Many parents can stay away from their children for several weeks without becoming homesick. Strange, isn’t it? If you can remain comfortable away from your family, then there is something terribly wrong with the manner in which your family members relate. Your family could be lacking those chords that bind members together, the chords of family rituals or traditions.
I love the bond, sense of belonging and attachment that some families show. These families are so intimate that even when times are hard they do not allow a member to shoulder it alone. The bonds make burdens lighter and sweet moments memorable. What magic do these families use that enables them to remain in such strong bonds? The secret lies in practising family rituals or traditions.
A family tradition is any activity or event that occurs regularly at home and holds special meaning for that family. It doesn’t have to be a big-time activity. The tradition may be as simple as stories and prayers before bedtime, Saturday morning pancakes or a Sunday afternoon outings. Because these traditions have meanings that are special to the family, they create feelings of warmth, closeness, and uniqueness. Traditions can build a feeling of stability and from it, family members derive a strong sense of belonging.
Recent research done at George Washington University’s Family Research Centre indicates that family rituals provide a hidden source of family strength. When family members are upset with each other, daily rituals can pull them back and provide an affectionate setting for dealing with conflicts.
Do you have family rituals? Modern lifestyle has made it hard for many families to build lasting family traditions. How about utilising these remaining days of the holiday to build a family tradition?
You could have an activity that is carried out everyday like bedtime stories. Family members could tell the stories in turns, depending on the age of the children. Tell your children about those naughty things you did as a child.
Family ritual doesn’t have to be too formal. Let it be relaxed and emotion laden. You could give your three-year old the task of leading family prayer before meals. Children love activities that make them feel part of the family.
Those daily rituals make lots of sense to the children because they build a bank of memories that will not fade even with age.
Your child will never forget that goodnight kiss or morning hug even after he/she has left your home. A friend of mine has a six-year-old daughter who loses appetite and misses sleep whenever the father travels out of the country. What causes this? She misses the dad’s goodnight kiss, morning and evening hugs.
These symbols of happiness in the home remain in a child’s mind forever and can act as a pillow of comfort and strength when one is facing difficult times. When family members meet years after leaving the home, these traditions dominate their conversations. They discuss and share the memories of sweet days gone by.
Family members do not always bond naturally because of blood relationship. Family rituals carried out consistently help families to share moments of joy in a comfortable setting of love. Before your children return to school, build a family tradition that will give the family sweet memories for life.
Till next week.
jwagwau@newvision.co.ug
077631032
I love the bond, sense of belonging and attachment that some families show. These families are so intimate that even when times are hard they do not allow a member to shoulder it alone. The bonds make burdens lighter and sweet moments memorable. What magic do these families use that enables them to remain in such strong bonds? The secret lies in practising family rituals or traditions.
A family tradition is any activity or event that occurs regularly at home and holds special meaning for that family. It doesn’t have to be a big-time activity. The tradition may be as simple as stories and prayers before bedtime, Saturday morning pancakes or a Sunday afternoon outings. Because these traditions have meanings that are special to the family, they create feelings of warmth, closeness, and uniqueness. Traditions can build a feeling of stability and from it, family members derive a strong sense of belonging.
Recent research done at George Washington University’s Family Research Centre indicates that family rituals provide a hidden source of family strength. When family members are upset with each other, daily rituals can pull them back and provide an affectionate setting for dealing with conflicts.
Do you have family rituals? Modern lifestyle has made it hard for many families to build lasting family traditions. How about utilising these remaining days of the holiday to build a family tradition?
You could have an activity that is carried out everyday like bedtime stories. Family members could tell the stories in turns, depending on the age of the children. Tell your children about those naughty things you did as a child.
Family ritual doesn’t have to be too formal. Let it be relaxed and emotion laden. You could give your three-year old the task of leading family prayer before meals. Children love activities that make them feel part of the family.
Those daily rituals make lots of sense to the children because they build a bank of memories that will not fade even with age.
Your child will never forget that goodnight kiss or morning hug even after he/she has left your home. A friend of mine has a six-year-old daughter who loses appetite and misses sleep whenever the father travels out of the country. What causes this? She misses the dad’s goodnight kiss, morning and evening hugs.
These symbols of happiness in the home remain in a child’s mind forever and can act as a pillow of comfort and strength when one is facing difficult times. When family members meet years after leaving the home, these traditions dominate their conversations. They discuss and share the memories of sweet days gone by.
Family members do not always bond naturally because of blood relationship. Family rituals carried out consistently help families to share moments of joy in a comfortable setting of love. Before your children return to school, build a family tradition that will give the family sweet memories for life.
Till next week.
jwagwau@newvision.co.ug
077631032