14/365...2011 The Importance of Tradition

Tradition:  the handing down of statements, beliefs, legends, customs, information, etc., from generation to generation, esp. by word of mouth or by practice: a story that has come down to us by popular tradition. Traditions bring us closer.

Its been a very busy week for Eric.  Savannah did not see her Daddy on Tue, Wed, or Thur this week because he worked late.  She was so excited for tonight and to make smores with her Daddy!  She is a Daddy's girl.

Everyone that knows me knows that I am all about carrying down and creating traditions.  My parents carried many things from both sides of their families as well as creating new traditions for my sister and I.

As a Brownie, Girl Scout and member of a United Methodist Youth Group I made smores at many events.  As Director of Youth Groups I did this with many teenagers over the years.  I loved the memories and special times.  As a child I never remember making them with my family. My Mom does not remember us making them.  She says it was probably my sister and I that taught them how to do it.  Either way, this is a tradition I wanted to carry down from my memories and create in our small family. I talk much more about this than Eric does.  We need to talk more about them and bring ones from each side of our families.  We may be a small family, but I want us to be full of memories, traditions and all things that are important to family.

I created the platter with all the necessary ingredients while Eric started the fire in the fireplace.  He seemed to be a pro making the special tool needed from the two metal coat hangers I found in the back of the closet.  Savannah was excited.  I had the camera all ready to document every second.

I placed the toasted marshmallows on the graham cracker with the Hershey chocolate.  I mushed it together and it oozed all over the plate - yummy!

Savannah touched it and that was about it.  She instead took a piece of Hershey chocolate and a marshmallow.  She said they were too sticky - the smores!  She told me all about them.  I asked her how she knew.  She said my cousins taught me all about them.  I immediately started texting them.  Haley said they made them once a while back at their home!  Where was I?  How did I miss this important event?  After all, you only create your first smore once in your life!  If she had to have her first smore with anyone in the world I would want it to be with Thomas, Chase and Haley!  They are the ones who taught her the tradition they had as little kids of doing a but drop on an air mattress! 

The evening was not what I planned, but it was a special night by the fire with two of the most special people in my life.  Those that make my life worth living, smores or not!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Continue reading to learn more about the importance of traditions

 

Traditions Bind FamiliesTraditions are an important part of family life. Traditions bind families together. When families set aside time for functions, they are essentially creating opportunities for unique interactions. It is during these times that family members are able to talk about the current happenings of their lives, the feelings associated with them, as well as exchange ideas. This time together creates an opportunity for families to have dialogue that might otherwise not take place. Research suggests that families gain greater feelings of closeness, belonging and connection between generations as family traditions are acted out and passed on. In having set customs, rituals, or time together as a family, the family unit grows stronger. 

Traditions Benefit Children

The effects that traditions have on children are substantial. Children benefit tremendously from the feelings of unity and connectedness that are manifested through tradition. Research shows that the more often families eat together, the less likely kids are to smoke, drink, do drugs, get depressed, develop eating disorders and consider suicide, and the more likely they are to do well in school, delay having sex, eat their vegetables, learn extensive vocabulary, and decipher between which fork to use. Furthermore, kids who eat most often with their parents are 40% more likely to say they get mainly A's and B's in school than kids who have two or fewer family dinners a week. Children thrive as a result of family tradition, even those that may seem simplistic or mundane. When families adopt traditions, children are able to sense a commitment to family that helps them to make healthy and balanced life choices.

Traditions Serve as Markers
 In addition to feelings of intimacy, traditions make it easier for family members to recall experiences shared.  Traditions serve as markers. When families make a habit of spending a certain amount of time together, the memories seem to become automatically linked to those traditions or customs.  With traditions as markers, we are able to commit to memory those special events or instances that might otherwise be forgotten.

New Traditions
 If a family commits to spending a certain time together, the possibility for more traditions to develop as a result is very likely.

Bringing Your Family Together
You may be wondering which traditions are right for you and your family. Consider a past time that will bring your family closer together. Begin by taking inventory of the activities your family enjoys doing together.   Remember that it is an opportunity to influence your children. Finally, make the most of your tradition so that you can recall wonderful memories. Strong families find that opportunities for quality time occur as they spend quantity time together. I encourage you to set up a family tradition of your own. You will look back on the moments shared with your family with great joy.