Monday, November 16, 2009

Make the holidays more meaningful

I'm gald that I found this article in the new issue of Parents magazine. While reading a fellow bloggers blog the other day, this article really hit home with what she was talking about.

Here are some simple ways to make your holidays more meaningful

*Explore Different cultures
Help your kids get a sense of life in other countries by introducing them to a variety of holiday rituals celebrated around the globe during this time of year

*Share a Story
Start a discussion of where traditions come from with info from the experts at patheos.com

*Capture Memories
Record interviews with your kids after the excitement of gift receiving has died down. It's a great way to document their changes from year to year. Try these questions:
----What was your favorite thing our family did together this year?
----Who are your best friends? What do you like most about them?
----How is school this year? What is your best/worst subject?
----What do you daydream about?
----What is the nicest thing that a friend or someone in the family has done for you this year?

*Lend a hand all year 'round
Volunteering during the holidays gets kids in the habit of helping those in need, but so many families do it that most charities see a huge surge in donations and participation each December-it's every other time of the year that they need attention.

*Pause and Reflect
Give your family a chance to think during the holiday rush: During December share a half-minute of silence each night at dinner. Tell the kids to focus on whatever they like-something good that happened that they're grateful for, positive thoughts for a sick friend, a wish for the coming year.

*Create Rituals
A unique tradition teaches kids that they are part of something special-your family-and binds this holiday to future ones.

I'm hoping to start something with Addison this year that is special to just us. I'm just not sure what I want to do.

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