Family Traditions that Bind Us

Traditions are rituals families engage in over and over. They lend a certain spirit that nurtures the family connection, giving us a sense of belonging and helping us celebrate generations of kinship. More importantly, traditions create positive memories for children.

Holiday Traditions

Some examples of traditions might be opening a special family present Christmas Eve filled with pajamas, a Christmas movie, and some treats. Or you might bake gingerbread cookies with grandma every year. Maybe you leave cookies out for Santa and carrots out for his reindeer.

Another custom might be for the Easter bunny to hide clues all around your house leading you to your basket. And of course the new toothbrush that is included in the tub full of candy treats is something that has happened every year since you were a kid.

Treasured Milestone Birthday Tradition

A birthday tradition that my parents did with me and my siblings was when we turned 8 years old. We got to go on our first ‘date’.

I will never forget putting on my maxi dress (remember them?) and my mom fixing my hair in a bun. I felt so beautiful. My dad took me out to dinner and held the doors for me and pulled out my seat for me. This is truly my best birthday memory.

When my brother turned 8, he got to take my mom out on a date. My dad gave him money for dinner to put in his wallet. so he could pay. He talked to my brother about opening the door for my mom and pulling out her chair when she sat down. His first lesson on dating a woman! 🙂

Sweet memories…

Family Vacation Tradition

Our family vacation ritual is to get matching anklets or bracelets from whatever beach we are on or from the souvenir shop at more camp grounds than I can name.

We make a wish when we tie these tiny treasures on. The wish comes true when the bracelet wears thin and falls off. A silly little something that bonds us together and a simple reminder of the fun we shared that summer.

Inside Jokes

And you all know the story of our dear sweet imaginary friend, Susie Ponchez. (You can learn more about her here.) She is the extra child that Jason has teased my 3 kids about their whole lives. She is the one that gets to have all the fun with me and Jason when Brooke, Becki, & JJ are away.

Jason has always told them that Susie was with us at Six Flags. Or that Susie got ice cream with us when the kids were staying at their friends house. On the first day of school, he would ask them if Susie was in their class this year. A sweet memory that involved no more that words, but would always bring a smile and an eyeroll.

Even now that they are grown, when Jason and I go to the lake, he calls the kids and tells them that we made it safely, and that Susie Ponchez is with us out on the boat! Susie has been a great family inside joke for so long. She is so important to us that I use her for my pen name ~ Susie Pea.

My Favorite Tradition

The most special thing to me that I have with each one of my children is our song. When each of them were born, whatever song reminded me of them became our song. Just mine and theirs. Something to keep between us that is ours alone.

Whenever our song would come on the radio, I would hold their hand and sing as loud as I could. And I would usually cry. I am a cryer (I am one of those – cry if I’m happy, sad, and especially if I’m mad – which means I’m probably getting ready to spew some hate your way so watch out!) More than that, because the words mean so much to me and I hoped they meant as much to them.

My Song For Brooke

My song with Brooke is Forever Young by Rod Stewart. I’m probably showing my age with this one, but it is definitely a lesson in life. These lyrics say everything that I want her to know about what I wish for her for her whole life.

Forever Young

May the good Lord be with you, down every road you roam
And may sunshine and happiness surround you when you’re far from home
And may you grow to be proud dignified and true
And do unto others as you’d have done to you
Be courageous and be brave and in my heart you’ll always stay

Forever young
Forever young

May good fortune be with you, may your guiding light be strong
Build a stairway to heaven with a prince or a vagabond
And may you never love in vain and in my heart you will always remain

Forever young
Forever young

Forever young
Forever young
Forever young

And when you finally fly away, I’ll be hoping that I served you well
For all the wisdom of a lifetime no one can ever tell
But whatever road you choose, I’m right behind you, win or lose

Forever young
Forever young

Forever young
Forever young

My Song For Becki

For Becki, I chose a song that I felt symbolized always look through the innocence eyes of a child. Find wonder and beauty in everything you do in life. And never miss out on the things that you want to do. Go for them!

I Hope You Dance

I hope you never lose your sense of wonder
You get your fill to eat but always keep that hunger
May you never take one single breath for granted
God forbid love ever leave you empty handed
I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean
Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens
Promise me that you’ll give fate the fighting chance
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance

I hope you dance
I hope you dance

I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance
Never settle for the path of least resistance
Living might mean taking chances but they’re worth taking
Lovin’ might be a mistake but it’s worth making
Don’t let some hell bent heart leave you bitter
When you come close to selling out reconsider
Give the heavens above more than just a passing glance
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance

I hope you dance
(Time is a wheel in constant motion always)
I hope you dance
(Rolling us along)
I hope you dance
(Tell me who wants to look back on their years and wonder)
I hope you dance
(Where those years have gone)

I hope you still feel small when you stand by the ocean
Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens
Promise me that you’ll give faith the fighting chance
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance

Dance
I hope you dance
I hope you dance
(Time is a wheel in constant motion always)
I hope you dance
(Rolling us along)
I hope you dance
(Tell me who wants to look back on their years and wonder)
I hope you dance
(Where those years have gone)
(Tell me who wants to look back on their years and wonder)
I hope you dance
(Where those years have gone)

My Song For Jay

Jay’s song is from Tarzan, You’ll Be in My Heart. From the first time that I saw my little Jaybird, I knew that I wanted to be there to protect him – always. He after all, was my baby. My last little one. This song is my special way of letting him know that I will always be there no matter what. Just look over your shoulder…

You’ll Be in My Heart

Come stop your crying
It will be all right
Just take my hand Hold it tight

I will protect you
from all around you
I will be here
Don’t you cry

For one so small,
you seem so strong
My arms will hold you,
keep you safe and warm
This bond between us
Can’t be broken
I will be here
Don’t you cry

‘Cause you’ll be in my heart
Yes, you’ll be in my heart
From this day on
Now and forever more

You’ll be in my heart
No matter what they say
You’ll be here in my heart, always

Why can’t they understand
the way we feel
They just don’t trust
what they can’t explain
I know we’re different but,
deep inside us
We’re not that different at all

And you’ll be in my heart
Yes, you’ll be in my heart
From this day on
Now and forever more

Don’t listen to them
‘Cause what do they know
We need each other,
to have, to hold
They’ll see in time
I know

When destiny calls you
You must be strong
I may not be with you
But you’ve got to hold on
They’ll see in time
I know
We’ll show them together

‘Cause you’ll be in my heart
Yes, you’ll be in my heart
From this day on,
Now and forever more

Oh, you’ll be in my heart
No matter what they say
You’ll be in my heart, always
Always

All of these fun and sentimental things that we have done bind us together. They allow us memories that are intertwined and no one can take apart. They are our strength when we need it. Our smiles when we think of it. And a place in our minds and hearts that feel like home. Our place we Belong…

Ideas for Your Own Family Traditions

Start a tradition as soon as your little ones are born. Or begin it when there is a milestone in their life. You can make simple family traditions that you do each year or holiday. It’s never too late to start doing something fun and special for your tiny group of people. Here are some ideas that touch on a little of everything.

• Balloons all over bedroom birthday morning
• Sprinkle donuts with candles on top for birthday breakfast
• Family date for Valentine’s Day
• Lucky Charms for breakfast on St. Patty’s
• Hunt for your Easter basket
• Hold hands when you say Grace
• New Sunday best matching family outfits for church
• Cuddle time before bed
• Prayers together every night and tell God what we are thankful for
• Camping in the back yard on first weekend of summer
• Family fun runs
• Volunteer for something together
• Pumpkin picking
• Grandma Camp
• Booing
• Visit a Fireworks Display instead of having your own
• Strawberry picking
• Apple butter Festival
• hayrides/bonfires
• Make gingerbread houses
• Ice skating during Christmas break
• Sing around the Christmas tree on a tree farm before you cut it down
• Play the ABC race in the car on trips
• Have a sibling song that you always sing together
• Family game night
• Slushy Thursdays (Me & Jase are rocking this one right now!)

I hope that these ideas help you to start some traditions with your own family. Or that they inspire you to think of some of your own. Let me know of some traditions that you do as a family in the comments below. ~Susie Pea.

Check out my traditions I’ve started with my grandbabies. Grandma Camp and Geocaching with Kids.

“We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.”