A Sneak-Peek of Meg's Book
Ten Good Things Rituals Do for Children
Impart a Sense of Identity
Provide Comfort and Security
Help to Navigate Changes
Teach Values
Pass on Ethnic or Religious Heritage
Teach Practical Skills
Solve Problems
Keep Alive a Sense of Departed Family Members
Help Heal from Loss or Trauma
Generate Wonderful Memories
Great Birthday Celebration: Celebrate Growth!
Gertrud Mueller Nelson gave her kids two envelopes on their birthdays. One was marked “New Privilege” and the other “New Responsibility.” A child turning six might be given the privilege of staying up an extra half hour at night and the responsibility of feeding the dog it’s dinner. This ritual “gave them a sense of importance and made them feel grown up,” says Gertrud.
Invent-a-holiday Idea: Mess Day!
The idea is to take all the ordinary household rules, and for one entire day, turn them upside down. Let everybody wear their grubbiest clothes, and never comb their hair. Table manners aren’t allowed, and all the meals should be eaten on a picnic blanket on the floor, preferably while watching television. Toys are never to be put away so that playing never has to stop.
Homework Ritual: Lesson of the Week!
Once a week, during a family meeting or Sunday dinner, have each person in the family share something valuable or fascinating he or she learned that week. Again, you reinforce that learning is a lifelong activity. At the same time, this exercise works as a lesson review for kids, and may actually make them realize they learned something useful.
For a few more ideas from the book, see our blog!
“Such traditions are gifts we can give to future generations, uniting all the family in closer bonds of love.” - Caryl Waller Krueger
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