Tip 14

Start a tradition.

“Make sure the good ground of your home includes an abundance of laughter,parties, celebrations, presents, candles, Christmas trees, gifts, surprises, rock road ice cream, jokes, backyard picnics,….” -Bill Carmichael, Seven Habits of a Healthy Home

The truth is we each have traditions whether we choose them or just participate in them by default. We say to our spouses, “But, my mom did it this way.” The traditions are seared into our minds so deeply that we consider them dates on a calendar instead of choices.

Our children who have come from hard places may have traditions embedded in their lives too. They may traditionally remember no dinner on Christmas day or presents. They may have treated Christmas as just another day.

Dare to parent. Choose a tradition of your own.

So, when you decide to start a new tradition, give the child fair warning. Also, a caution, don’t listen to complaining or whining. The beginning of a tradition now is a pocket full of memories later.