PRACTICAL PARENTING â—½ HOME
Creating Rituals
by Marcy Lytle
When our kids were small, one thing we did every week was sleep in the den together. We started this because the kids would often ask to sleep in our room, so we designated Friday nights as the night to sleep together as a family. I think rituals keep our kids grounded and feeling safe and secure. And sometimes, when life is busy it’s easy to lose the beauty of the calm that comes from a routine that settles all the souls.
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In the mornings:
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Have French Toast Friday, or Melon Mondays, or how about Taco Tuesdays for breakfast? Make that one day the same meal each week, one that everyone loves and looks forward to!
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Maybe a verse a day calendar sitting by the kids’ bathroom sink would be a great encouragement for the kids to find each morning when a new day begins.
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A Facetime call to an aunt, a grandparent, or someone special could be a routine on one specific day a week. How special…
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A morning song as you lift or open their blinds. A wakeup song, or a foot rub, some sort of five minute routine to awaken the day and get a spring in your step, and theirs!
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When the kids arrive in the kitchen, how about a family dance? Put on a 3-minute song and everyone worship or move or jump, to kickstart the day with energy and hope.
In the evenings:
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An ice cream outing once a month, where the family heads to your nearest and favorite place for the cold stuff. It’s May, and it’s time for ice cream – let’s scream!
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Sock fights are the best. The family gathers and each brings a pair of socks. Then the tossing begins as you throw the sock at each other and try to miss or catch them. This gets some energy out and ends in laughter.
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Prayer time for what ails them, what excites them and what’s on their minds. Write it down and pray. Then wad up the paper and toss it in the trash, for no more worries. And lay down to rest.
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Outdoor star gazing is a fun thing to do once a week on a clear night. If you have a telescope, great. If not, just take out the blankets and gaze. Talk about God’s great creation and love for us all.
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Leave a treat maybe once a week or month on the doorstep of a friend of neighbor. It can be homemade cookies, a gift card, or even popcorn and sodas in a bag. Sign your name…or not.
Just think of something your family loves to do, the things that excite and restore, and then make it a habit and a routine. Change it up from time to time, as needs and desires change…and enjoy life!
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