Tag: rituals

Posted on November 4, 2009 in family fun, parenting

Photo from ralphbijker

I watch very little television, although I have been known to say that the only good thing about winter is American Idol. And in the fall, college football. Aside from that, my TV watching is generally limited to a mindless TiVo’d sitcom before conking out on the couch. 

As a parent, I limit my daughter’s TV watching to one Sesame Street episode in the evening. I’m all for turning off the TV and playing in dirt. It’s funny, though, that some of my fondest family memories include the television. I remember singing the theme song to Fame with my mom, laughing at Bill Cosby’s antics with my dad, and watching Saturday morning cartoons with my sisters while fishing for the prize inside the Cheerios box. 

Is TV all that bad? Or in some instances, when used in moderation, can it actually bring families together? 

If you call my house on a Saturday afternoon in the fall, you’ll get voice mail. I’m probably glued to the TV, watching Notre Dame football on NBC. With my family. For me, ND football is more than a sporting event. It’s something that rallies my family around spirit, tradition, and fun. We throw on our Irish gear, yell the cheers, and shake our car keys for a defensive “key” play. And it’s simply adorable when my 2 year old throws her arms up for a “Touchdown!” 

Some families get pumped up for March Madness. For others, it’s the World Series, the Daytona 500, or the Olympics. Sports can be enjoyed by all ages, and they nurture a spirit of healthy competition and teamwork. When families get revved up together, it builds camaraderie and a shared identity. This is what stays with kids. 

Maybe you’re not a sports fan. That’s okay; watch the Discovery Channel and learn about an endangered animal. Or pop in an old family favorite on DVD (I have all 8 seasons of the Cosby Show). If your children are older, tune into a family-friendly reality show with them. Whatever you choose, pick a set date and time and make it ritualistic. You’ll be glad you did.

Posted on October 27, 2009 in family fun, mind and body

Photo by MarksandSparks

My daughter is a light sleeper. Around 6:45 a.m. every morning, I’m inevitably lying in bed wishing I could catch a few more winks (if only I didn’t have to pee). Instead, I tend to hold onto the last few moments of silent stillness and curse the sun for rising. My bladder can wait. I think.     

Some days it’s easier to wake up than others (with a smile on my face). Take last Monday, for example. I was sluggish. It was dark and rainy outside. I felt unmotivated to go out, but we had somewhere to be. I was in the mood for popcorn and a movie and lounging in my pajamas. It was one of those days.

Parenting isn’t a part time job. From my experience I can’t just check out when I’m not in the mood for discovering a new day- the /ch/ sound, the number 9, the phrase “oh yeah.” The old saying goes: Fake it till you make it. That’s what I did.

I shuffled into the kitchen with my well-rested toddler, bright-eyed and eager to play. I switched on the iPod, turned up the volume to Disco Inferno, and at 7:30 a.m. we had an all-out dance party. Tambourines, rhythm sticks, and shakers. We started off the day laughing, and the music was just enough to give me the boost I needed to feel awake and alive.  

I’ve started to think that this might be a fun ritual for kids before heading off to school. It’s a naturally energizing shared experience and everyone feels good. Sit down with your kids to make a playlist. Then, on a dark and dreary Monday morning, crank up the music. And don’t be afraid to show off those old dance moves. Your kids will laugh and love you for it!  

What are mornings like in your house?  Would music make a difference?  What songs would be a must-have on your family’s playlist? 

**This post is a part of the Moms’ 30 Minute Blog Challenge at Steady Mom**

Posted on June 15, 2009 in family fun, food and nutrition, go green, small moments

Last Saturday, we hopped in the big bad Subaru and headed out to the “country” for some strawberry pickin’. It started out like this: Daddy lead the way to an untouched patch of ripe, juicy strawberries. Two little feet followed close behind.

Then, we parked ourselves in a section of one aisle (notice the overalls are blue and white). We squatted down and inspected the berries, plucking the bright juicy fruits from their vines and plopping them into our basket. Well, sort of.

Note to self: Ripe strawberries are unwrapped candies to a toddler. Delayed gratification has no place in a field of fresh fruit.

The brim of her hat says, “Life is Good.” I mean, really, does it get any better than this?

Click HERE for a pick-your-own farm near you! Some even follow organic farming methods.

Posted on May 18, 2009 in family fun, parenting

I love the smell of bacon. In part, because it’s so darn tasty (though I’m not sure how I feel about Bacon Lip Balm). But also, because it takes me back to the Saturday mornings of my childhood. Pancake breakfasts, with a pound of bacon. (In his Odes to Common Things, Pablo Neruda really should have written an “Ode to Bacon.”)