“Family traditions counter alienation and confusion. They help us define who we are; they provide something steady, reliable and safe in a confusing world.” – Susan Lieberman
Simplify the old traditions to the times we live in.
I’ve always loved family traditions and the one’s I shared with my family as a kid are especially meaningful now that I have children of my own. I also enjoy creating new traditions as my children grow up that we can look forward to year after year. However, what I have noticed over the years since having kids is that the key to keeping traditions going is to keep them simple and doable.
Fifty years ago it was probably a lot easier to honor more elaborate traditions but now our lives are just so busy and with so many things pulling us in all directions it’s often difficult to honor the traditions of the past. Traditions should not feel like burdens. As much as you may want to honor old family traditions it may be time to modify those traditions that are outdated or too complicated and add ones that better suit your family and the times we live in.
The traditions of celebrities may sound fabulous but they’re not always realistic.
We often get caught up in the glamour of certain traditions and lose sight of whether a tradition we have adopted is truly meaningful to our family. You have to do what works for your family not what seems to work for a reality TV family like the Kardashians. I’m sure they have great family traditions but do they represent what your family is all about. Make sure the traditions you adopt have significance to your family and not someone else’s.
I remember hearing Angelina Jolie talk about how her family picks a place they’ve never been to visit every other Christmas. Sounds like a wonderful tradition. But remember their family holiday is going to be a bit different than yours unless you have the resources of the Jolie-Pitt clan. If a celebrity’s over-the-top family tradition resonates with you that’s great but you may have to tone it down a bit to fit your budget and lifestyle.
We need traditions now more than ever.
Traditions are an important part of the tapestry you create as a family. They are rituals that cultivate connectedness and promote unity giving us a sense of security and closeness that many families have lost especially with the advancement of technology that seems to be pulling us away from each other. It has become way too common for each member of a family to spend what could be family time in their separate corners with their heads buried in a computer, smart phone, ipad or the latest and greatest gadget of the day. It’s unfortunate but we as a society seem to be more plugged in and connected to our apps than our own families.
Relationships are nurtured through a certain level of intimacy and I must say there is very little intimacy in only communicating and relating via text and email. Our time with each other is way too short and precious to let modern living get in the way of old fashioned values and time honored traditions. Don’t you think it’s time to reconnect with your family and get back to sharing real intimate moments and meaningful experiences that make your family so special? If you answer yes, then know that traditions are the glue that keep families connected and they give us an outlet for honoring our values. Now more than ever it’s time to find a way to weave family traditions into not only the holidays but into your day-to-day life.
Traditions should be simple and easy and a source of comfort in chaotic times.
I get that everyone in your family may have separate interests and many exciting things vying for your attention but your family and the time you spend together is sacred and honoring family traditions allows you to stay close, in tune and connected to your loved ones. If old family traditions don’t work for you start new ones that your family will be sure to embrace. Find some common ground and create a treasure trove of simple traditions that allow you to stay connected and keep you grounded in the mist of your busy and complicated lives. I’m not going to list a bunch of traditions but if you click here, here, here and oh here you’ll find great lists of simple traditions you can start in your own family. Nothing too complicated just some simple ideas for annual, monthly, weekly and daily rituals that are easy to implement.
Please feel free to share your own simple family traditions that have stood the test of time.
“A family in harmony will prosper in everything.” – Chinese Proverb
