How to Create a Family Ritual with Your Preschooler

by Mary Ann Romans | More from this Blogger

10 Feb 2009 10:35 AM

Family rituals are wonderful to have. They strength all of you as a family, contribute a sense of self confidence and belonging, and give some security to your preschooler. This is the perfect age to get started on creating family rituals, if you haven't already. Chances are that you already have some family rituals in place. If not, check out the following ideas.

Many family rituals with preschoolers take place at bedtime. You could read a favorite story, have a secret family handshake or other way of saying goodnight, or sing a song.

Try celebrating half birthdays. Preschoolers love this idea because it focuses on them and makes them feel really special one extra time per year. Instead of a big elaborate party, focus on the family and have a birthday cake or go out and do a favorite family activity.

Go out to dinner once a week at a favorite place and take that time to talk about how the week went. Friday nights are usually good since the weekend is ahead. You can complete the night by coming home to snuggle up with a movie. Think of it as a family date night.

Start a journal with your preschooler. Even if she can;t read or write, she can tell you what she would like to add to the journal. It is a way of having your preschooler feel important and letting her use her voice. Make sure every family member has something to add. At the end of the year, you can take the journal out and read it. it will help you connect as a family.

Have a pj day. I do this every once in a while in our house. The kids stay in pjs all day and play. There is no mention of getting dressed, running errands or doing anything outside of enjoying the time spent together.

What is your favorite family ritual?

Mary Ann Romans writes about everything related to saving money in the Frugal Blog, creating a home in the Home Blog, caring for little ones in the Baby Blog and now relationships in the Marriage Blog. You can read more of her articles by clicking here or subscribe to the blog using the subscription box on the right.

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Learn more about Mary Ann Romans

Mary Ann Romans is a freelance writer, wife and mother of three children. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, the kids and a 16-pound cat.

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gmcof05 (116) 10 Feb 2009 11:04 AM

hello every body hows it going. my name is gerald cathey and im a student at greensboro college here in North carolina and im new to this blog. In my class which is called child/adolescent development, my teacher wanted us to go to a website and do a blog, ask a question each week what was related to what she lectured on that week. so I hope to get to hear from people on here. my questions are: 1. how do a woman find out when she is pregnant with quadlupets?

2. in your point of view, what is low birth weight and high birth weight of a new born baby to you?

Mary Ann Romans (26886) 11 Feb 2009 09:03 AM

Hi Gerald and welcome. I'll try to answer your questions as best as I can. 1. I would imagine early on through ultrasound. 2. both low birth weight and high birth weight could have medical consequences with a newborn. A low birth weight baby may have failure to thrive or be premature. A high birth weight baby may have indicated gestational diabetes in the mother.