Life Rituals: Not Your Traditional Traditions

Most of the activities on my Family Traditions list are Traditions of Celebration. That is they mark a holiday, season or event that we want to remember, to celebrate.

However, the last section "Any Time/All the Time" begins my thoughts on Life Rituals. These are the things we do day-to-day, week-to-week that define our family. They create the sense of belonging and security for our kids. Children thrive when they know what to expect and what is expected of them. Many of our Life Rituals create that balance in our families.

Here's some ideas for Life Rituals.

Every Day Connections

• Pray for each family member by name
• Morning snuggle & dream review
• Weekly calendar check
• Dinner together as a family atleast 4 times a week
• Call Dad at work
• I love you because ...
• Kiss good-bye; kiss hello
• Special hugs
• Long distance dinner
• Special kisses: Eskimo, butterfly, puppy
• Family trivia/quiz
• Learn each family member's Love Language and make efforts to show love to him/her that way

Bedtime

• Special "good night"
• Journal
• Sing lullabies
• Read Bible stories
• Bedtime prayers
• Routine, routine, routine

Weekends

• Go to church on Sundays
• Tour de Swingsets
• Check into a local hotel
• Stay in jammies all day
• Backyard campout
• Pizza & game night or movie night
• Movie marathon

Nature

• Picnic in park without a playground
• Planting a garden
• Visit the local farmers market
• Create a backyard habitat
• Star gazing
• Cloud gazing
• Catch (and release) bugs or other small critters

Neighbors

• Front yard dates
• Babysitting exchange
• Progressive dinner
• Block party
• Welcome cookies
• Halloween ghosting

Community

• Take your kid with you to vote
• Angel Tree or other Christmas adoption/gift giving
• Go to local parades
• Take food to Community Food Pantry
• Volunteer together: nursing home, shelter, roadside/park clean up

Global Thinking

• Globe spin research
• Ethnic food night
• Family pen pal
• Exploration walk in Spanish (or other language)
• Adopt a child in another country through Compassion International

Just for Mom

• Get a massage/facial/pedicure
• Magazine Sunday
• Candlelight bath
• Hobby night
• Mom's night out
• Library time
• Movies all alone
• Journal
• "I'm running away"

What about you? Do you have a special life ritual that enriches your family life?