TRADITION

As we celebrated Mother’s Day two days ago, it got me thinking about traditions. What we choose to do for ourselves and our families for each and every holiday, whether it’s Christmas, Passover, St. Patrick’s Day or New Years.

Growing up, my wonderful parents had traditions for almost every holiday. These traditions are what I remember most about MY childhood, and the pressure is on to do this for my own children. I awoke on Mother’s Day at 6:00 AM with my three and five year old vigorously trying to wake up my husband while shouting “come on Dad, we have to go make Mom breakfast in bed.” To which my adoring husband responded “in a few minutes, go downstairs and watch TV.” He did get up a few minutes later, and was able to hold off bringing breakfast up to me until a reasonable hour (which meant 8:00 am). My kids were so excited just to WATCH me eat this breakfast in bed that they “made” with Dad.

As I was watching them be so excited for this special occasion, it amazed me that in just three and five years they have grown to look forward to honoring their mom with breakfast in bed on Mother’s Day. It amazed me and also made me realize that what traditions we instill in them at this VERY young age will be life-long.

My parents had some fun, silly and crazy traditions throughout my youth, including pillowcases over my and two siblings’ heads at Christmas (not as weird as it sounds, trust me), family music nights, birthday hats, home-made costumes for Halloween, hand-print turkey drawings at the Thanksgiving table (regardless of age) and so many others. These are the things I remember!

My husband and I have, in my opinion, blended our own nuclear family’s traditions quite well, but it’s the traditions we have started on our own that have been the most fun!  Our two older children revel and remember (already at three and five) year to year what we do on a specific holiday, and I am sure our one-year-old won’t be far behind.  We have had a great time planning them, and then seeing the payout of our children enjoying them.     

Traditions are what can give children that sense of family with wonderful memories.  My “mommy friends” and I often discuss our different activities that we do on various holidays with our children and those that we did while growing up.  From these discussions, I have implemented (or plan to) those activities in my family.  My one friend sent pictures after Valentines Day of leaving Hershey Kisses as a trail to a small gift for her daughters to find when they awoke (one that I am stealing next Valentines Day!!!).  

I would love to hear what some of your family traditions are!  We would love for you to post your most favorite tradition, activity or memory from this past Mother’s Day!   You can log on to our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/StorkSupportLLC and post away!   Happy Mother’s Day to all you amazing Moms!!!  

Sincerely,
From the Stork’s Nest~
Rebecca