Aight...this one is pretty obvious...our kids are going to attach themselves to something - as they get into adolescence it will probably be something weird because teenagers are weird...regardless family traditions are a way to help our kids feel like they belong to something to then take on all the weirdness of growing up...so get some
Now what is not as obvious to parents because of our weird guilt complex are two things...
- We feel like they have to be super elaborate...so we constantly feel bad about ourselves and dont actually do anything
or
- We try and make something up that we think our kids want, instead of just doing what we want to do.
My suggestion is pretty simple. Create traditions that you want to do and your kids will get eventually own it.
For example, I buy my children doughnuts every saturday morning...because doughnuts are awesome. And because I want to eat doughnuts.
As you can see, I have also made it a thing for my boys to dab anytime someone wants to take a picture of them. While initially that had some resistance...and people think its weird...its become a part of Hoxie men being awesome.
Another thing that happens on Saturdays, are chores. Can cleaning the house actually become a family tradition? YES!!! While this tradition has been in the works for 3 years, and is still the culprit of a raging child or two, my children have taken it on as a part of being on our family...it is even evolving into a consistent dance party, while doing the chores. In a weird way they have begun to enjoy it, expect it and own it, because they are apart of something! A family....
So chill out with your family tradition elaborateness...make normal things like cleaning, dancing, and eating places of tradition.
Way to be awesome Mom and Dad...your life matters and your kids will thank you one day...