Thanksgiving is fast approaching and I am thinking about family rituals. There's nothing like the smell of turkey, a nice fluffy mound of mashed potatoes, and a big slab of pumpkin pie to bring a family together. And each time those familiar Thanksgiving routines are repeated, the sights and sounds and smells conjure up images of all of the holidays that went before.
Rituals indeed are important to the strength of families and the well-being of children.
First, holiday rituals are an intentional way of bringing the generations together. Family gatherings like Thanksgiving are a special time for all generations to enjoy and learn from each other. Of course, we don't have to wait for holidays to engage in celebrations or family rituals. Rituals can be as simple as a designated week night when all family members gather for pizza and board games, or a Sunday evening walk followed by hot chocolate. Many families even have daily rituals, such as bedtime prayers, a family reading hour, or a time to gather around the table and share a story about one good thing that happened that day.