Starting New Traditions by Faten Abdallah
As the holidays approach, many families are preparing for the holidays by decorating, cooking, and following family traditions that may have been passed down for generations. Members of the family, including children, take part in traditions. How about adding a new twist to traditions this year? Have your children help start new traditions. Allow one or two traditions to be created by your children. Set the rules and boundaries, but try to be flexible. Creating new traditions by your children will help create memories that will stay with them forever. Do not throw old traditions away, but add one or two every year. Here are some ideas to help encourage your child to come up with a new tradition: >" Donate an item to a local organization or charity. (Children will learn the gift of giving and appreciating what they have). Create a handmade gift to give to a loved one. Volunteer at the nursing home or homeless shelter to play games or read stories with residents. Create a dish to be added to the lunch or dinner menu. Write a story, a poem, or a song to be read during the family gathering. The ideas are endless. Encouraging your children to come up with traditions encourages creative and critical thinking skills. There are many lessons to be learned when creating and trying new traditions. Be sure to discuss those as well. Not sure what holidays are appropriate for new traditions? Pick what you feel may be appropriate, or even start a new family holiday. The following holidays could have new traditions: - Veteran's Day
- Thanksgiving Day
- Hanukah
- Christmas Eve and Day
- Ramadan
- New Year's Eve and Day
- Presidents' Day
- Easter
- Memorial Day
- Independence Day
- Labor Day
Creating new traditions would make children feel more special by being a part of the family. They will feel respected for their ideas and more likely to participate in family traditions for many years to come.
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Self Help