Does anyone else feel like we went from t-shirts to snow boots overnight? We have lived in the Midwest for ten years and I am still amazed by the inconsistency of the weather patterns here. I’m not going to lie, Midwestern winters are not my favorite. Every October I brace myself for the inevitble: freezing temperatures, power outages, unpassable icy roads, children crammed indoors, and excessively muddy floors. The change of weather also means lots of family celebrations and togetherness as we jump from one holiday to another from now until the new year. Our sense of belonging, connection, structure, and identity are all rooted in our traditions. For many of us, the holidays represent traditions that have lasted a lifetime: Gathering at Grandma’s house for meals, special services, and even decorations. Cities, teams, schools, and families all have some form of traditions they continue year after year. It gives us a real sense of belonging, and as individuals we crave to feel that connection. Traditions help children feel connected to their families and their past. They provide a kind of stability, especially when there is more chaos than usual. In an article I read, https://frfamilytherapy.com/do-traditions-matter-4-reasons-why-traditions-are-important-for-families/, the author gives four reasons why traditions are important to families. 1.Traditions offer consistency to those who participate. 2.Traditions draw families together, helping them to bond and come closer to one another—sometimes even years later. 3.Traditions can be healing during tough times. 4.Traditions are fun. As a family, we have some traditions that represent us. At Thanksgiving we invite people from other cultures and let them bring a native dish. On Christmas Eve, everyone gets an ornament that represents something they did or accomplished that year. Our children draw names and exchange $10 gifts. We pick a movie night and watch Elf again. Yes, we have memorized all the lines by now, but it’s the intentional togetherness and fulfillment of tradition that we love. Traditions are unique to each family, they are part of your family finger print. Maybe you have grown up with strong traditions to pass down to your children, or maybe you are choosing to begin some of your own. Both are great and both are valuable to your family identity. It isn’t necessarily ‘what you do’ as your family tradition that matters, but ‘that you do’ something. Check out this article if you need some fresh ideas for creating family traditions. https://www.parents.com/holiday/christmas/traditions/classic-holiday-traditions-for-your-family/ And, we would love to hear from you...please share your family traditions with us! DATES TO REMEMBER: December 15 from 5:30-7:00pm WINTERFEST @ High Grove Early Childhood Center My name is Tricia Henson. This is my first year with Parents as Teachers in the Grandview School District, but not my first experience with families and children. My husband and I have moved 17 times, including New Zealand, the east coast and now the midwest. We have four children: Olivia, Ezekiel, Canaan and Micah. We have also been home to 27 foster children. My education is in Communications and Early Childhood. My passion is seeing families and children find their success. I have been active in Safe Families KC, Zoe House Adoption Agency, Orphan Justice Center, Missouri Fostercare, Parents as Teachers, and Early Childcare. I am excited to work among this amazing group of educators and serve families in the Grandview area. Comments are closed.
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AuthorThe parent educators with Grandview Parents As Teachers have over 100 years of cummulative early childhood and home visiting experience. Archives
September 2023
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