Starting New Traditions

Each year as my children's birthdays approach I wonder about our family traditions. Did we start any traditions by accident last year? Are any of the traditions getting tired and worn out? Maybe they need a  fresh new start. I haven't come to any grand conclusions yet.

 

photo credit: thisreidwrites

As much as we grumble about the routine stuff...get tired of doing the same thing over and over...why do we do this...and so on, it really is the simple things that we do which make warm memories.  And besides, children like routine and they thrive in it.

I believe it's because of routine we can devote the energy to new pursuits, learnings and undertakings.  Bedlam doesn't provide a supportive environment. If you are too busy worrying about what comes next, when will we eat, and why can't I find anything...well, there isn't much brain power left over to enjoy the task of tackling something new.

Routine often stems around daily living. Traditions often branch out of holiday celebrations or special situations. Why is that?

Think about your own childhood memories. How many start with 'We always...'? Here are two of my own.

We always took a summer road trip vacation. My mom always had what we named 'the kitchenette' on the floor of the front seat. It contained drinks and snacks and sandwhiches. There were no gas station snack stops and very few fast food stops (if there even were drive-thrus, I'm not even sure.)

We always went to my grandparents on Christmas Day. I don't remember missing, ever.

photo credit: normanack

Traditions don't always have to be about family fun, although often they are. Maybe you have a tradition of working together. My mom and I have a tradition of freezing sweet corn together in the summer.

Husbands sometimes don't get on board with the tradition idea, but often they just go along with it. That's ok. You don't have to announce that every first day of spring you're going to have a tulip themed decorated dinner. Just do it and the kids will love it and eventually he'll catch on.

 

photo credit: thecocoacakery

However, you may encounter that your husband has something that he feels very strongly about. In that case, get enthusiastic and go for it. Even if you have to do some blending from both your family and your husbands family.

Join Marty's Musings as she talks about her blessing jar tradition.

I hope you've enjoyed this little glimpse into my love of mason jars and our family tradition of the Blessing Jar. I hope you'll try this in your own family and be blessed.

Also today, I read Mama Gab and she made me sad that I didn't have any new baby traditions.

We have just a few baby traditions that we've created in our family over the past few years.

As for my kids, we have some summer traditions. We always have water balloons. We go back to the pool for the last hour of swimming on nice nights. We go to the local amusement park on the 4th of July. I always to go parents day of swimming lessons. We always join the summer reading program at the library.

What summer traditions do you have or want to start?

Serving Your Husband By Knowing Him Better

I copied this piece from a 19th century book on homemaking. I love how this simple story shows how if we listen more carefully to our husbands we will begin to understand them better. Husbands talk in such a straightforward way. There is no need to guess as to what they are thinking or what they like or dislike. If you are listening, they have probably already told you.

Oh, it won't be as easy as reading an open book, but the clues are there.

photo credit: greeblie

What are his common complaints around the house? Work very hard to eliminate them and he will be very happy.


When he speaks of his friends or others at work, what does he say about them? There will likely be clues about his pet-peeves and morals and standards.  He may talk about 'lazy so and so' or 'the one who always cuts corners'. Listen and you'll know what habits to instill in yourself and in your children.


Enjoy this little tale.


Here is a piece of advice from a very happy woman, who has lived in uninterrupted harmony with her husband for nearly twenty years. She writes me thus :—" Do you know to what I attribute a great deal of matrimonial unhappiness? It sounds trivial, but I am quite sure it is due to talking before breakfast. It is a period when most people feel rather unfit for the burdens of life, and when they naturally look on the dark side of things, and therefore it is not good to make it the time for conversation.

"When we married, my husband was quite an old bachelor in his ways, and I remember thinking it very funny when one day he told me how gloomy and irritable he felt till he had had his breakfast, and how afterwards the world looked quite different to him, and he felt able to bear all its little worries and vexations philosophically.

"I thought over my spouse's peculiarity, and after a little time I came to the conclusion that it was one in which I shared, but to a small extent only. However, I knew quite enough about the feeling to be able to sympathise, and from that time forth we made it our rule to defer all conversation till after breakfast.

"I often wish I could persuade other people to try our plan; I know many wives who say that dressing time is such an admirable one for getting the husband's undivided attention, but I am sure that it is a vast mistake to begin the discussion of ways and means, and a number of other worrying topics which require mental exertion before the body has been refreshed after its long fast by the 'cup that cheers.'"


More about serving your husband.


F as in Frank: On serving your husband

thefeltyfam.blogspot.com

"On serving your husband. I am no expert on this by any means, but it's something that was on my heart to share. I just finished reading The Power of a Praying Wife, which has inspired some of my thoughts, but most of them ..."

At the Table: Serving Your Husband - Intentional Homemaker
www.intentionalhomemaker.com

"Before I dive into a list of ways you can serve your husband, I wanted to remind all of us of an example of one lady who also served her husband. This woman is found in Proverbs 31. Here are some of the ways in which she ..."

Thankful Homemaker: Romancing Our Husbands
thankful-homemaker.blogspot.com

"Do you find yourself so busy serving your husband that you don't take the time to truly delight in him? When he enters the room do you stop and enjoy his presence and does he know you are thankful to the Lord for him?"

The Blessing of My Husband | Passionate Homemaking
www.passionatehomemaking.com

"Your husband will be different from mine and may need a different method. YOu might ask him out right, “how can I serve you?” or “what one thing could I do to bring more peace and rest into our home?” or “How can I help you ..."

Go take care of your man!