Family traditions are things that families do together on a
regular basis. These things can be patterns of behaviour, enjoyable activities
or a certain food that a family likes. Family traditions can be as simple
as talking about your day over dinner or they can involve more elaborate
activities you only observe on holidays.
As your teen grows older, it's likely he'll want to spend
less time with family and more time with friends.
And while that's a healthy part of growing up, keeping your
teen involved in family traditions is a great way to keep your family close.
And if you create meaningful traditions, your teen will want
to continue observing them with his own family someday. Here are five reasons
it's important to observe family traditions:
1. Family traditions
create lifelong memories. Established rituals are something that your
teen will be able to look back and remember from his childhood. Whether you
pick apples in the orchard or you go camping together every summer, the
positive emotions stirred up by family fun will be remembered forever.
2. Family traditions give every member of the
family a stronger belonging. Being a part of a family is more than
living in the same home or having the same last name. It is about relationships
and family bonds. Since family traditions are something you do together,
they can strengthen your relationship.
3. Family traditions help your teen with
his/her identity. It helps to know that you ‘belong’ when you are
trying to figure out who you are, which is a main job of the adolescent. A
family that encourages a teen to be a part of it and its traditions provides a
strong foundation for teens to stand on when they’re searching and defining
their sense of self.
4. Family traditions help parents impart the
family’s values to their children. To start, you get more time to
model your family values to your teen. Show your teen what is really
important to you and practice being a good role model. The traditions you
choose will speak volumes about what is most important to you--such as time
together as a family.
5. Family traditions offer your teen a sense a
security. Everyday your teen faces some very difficult issues. Knowing
that he/she is secure and has a family to turn to is a powerful tool to use
against negative peer pressure and the stress of adolescence.
If you struggle to keep traditions due to time constraints
or because everyone grows bored easily, you can make a flexible tradition.
Perhaps once a week one family member gets to pick an activity and you can
rotate activities--and perhaps even days and times that you observe it--each
week. Do whatever feels comfortable for your family, but make sure you get your
teen invested in participating.
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