In the days of childhood there was nothing like the scent of mom fixing Sunday morning breakfast.
“Fritters” as she called them, were not only a sugary doughnut like snack, but were a weekly tradition in our home. Always making more than enough, Mom instinctively knew that we’d eat em’ up just as soon as we were home from church.
Now that I am the mother of two I often find myself remembering the simple customs my family used to share and have continued to pass on similar traditions for my own family. Whether its baking cookies each Christmas Eve or gathering around the dining room table for a weekly game of Yahtzee, sharing humble traditions with loved ones is a sure fire way for families to better connect with one another.
Unfortunately with today’s busy lifestyle, family camaraderie is an element that seems to be missing from many households. While often both moms and dads need to work to provide, its easy to inadvertently forget just how impacting connecting or not connecting with our loved ones can be.
Our lives at home as children seems to greatly affect us as we grow into adults. Making positive connections with others is one of the hardest things to do unless its learned as a child. Through family game nights and sharing our day over mac-n-cheese, we can learn much about our housemates, thus discovering independent personalities and learning to appreciate each for whom he or she is.
It’s great to know that in these times of economic hardships that family traditions don’t have to cost a lot. Curled up on the sofa with a bag of popcorn and a rented movie can be just as satisfying as a night at the cinema. Getting everyone involved is key. With so many devices, such as hand held video games, Ipods etc. it’s easy for each member of the family to be in his or her own world with no concern or regards to being part of “the family”.
In our home it is a dinner time tradition that while mom and dad do the actual cooking that our son and daughter be present. Not only does this eliminate us feeling like we run a restaurant, but it also gives each of us a little extra time to talk about what’s on our minds. As the youngsters help to set the table and get everyone drinks, they think to mention what Bobby said at school or what they had for lunch that day.
An overall appreciation that we are connected not just as a family, but as a team, is easily obtained by simply requesting their company, instead of both children hibernating in their rooms till the food is on the table and ready for consumption.
Take a look at your family. How often would you say that you spend quality time together? If less than once a week you might find that you aren’t really connecting or even acknowledging one another at all.
Find simple ways to come together, to work as a team, to enjoy your home together and to over all enjoy each others company at least once in a while. Create your own humble traditions and discover that the benefits of doing so will last a lifetime.