Enjoy this post from Theresa Bauman, one of the newest additions to the Enlightened Mama family. Theresa teaches Groove and Grow–Children and is the fabulous mama of two sweet girls.

The holidays are a time shared with family and friends. We continue old traditions and start new ones.
Through memories and traditions, young children can build a sense of identity. Tradition is defined
as follows: Family tradition, also called Family culture, is defined as aggregate of attitudes, ideas and
ideals, and environment, which a person inherits from his/her parents and ancestors.

As new families begin, it is an opportunity for you and your partner to learn about your own families as
you grew up and what you want to bring to your immediate family now. When my husband and I were
married, I learned of the ornament tradition his Grandma passed on to him. Each year, he was given
an ornament from his Grandparents. Then, his parents continued this tradition including spouses and
grandchildren. It is always fun to see what ornament we will get, as it usually relates to a current time
in our life. We have all of his old ornaments: some we put on our own tree and some are toys for our
daughter. She likes to sort the ornaments or use them in her dollhouse. Often, I hear my husband play
with her and talk about memories with his Grandparents.

As the New Year begins, you may begin thinking of daily traditions you want to incorporate into your
life. One of the traditions we do in our family is singing a French lullaby when our children go to bed.
My mother sang it to me and her mother sang to her. I often giggle, as I listen through the monitor, to
my husband try to remember the French words or make up his own words as he sings our daughters to
sleep.

Whatever traditions you include in your family, a delightful book to refer to as you learn more about
family traditions is called The Book of New Family Traditions: How to Create Great Rituals for Holidays
and Every Day
by Meg Cox. I hope it will give you some insight on the importance of including old
traditions in your family, as well as starting new ones too.

I wish you many wonderful memories this holiday season and for the years to come!