traditions

Answering questions about Father Christmas: How do you do Santa in your house?

December 18, 2011 By Martine 14 Comments

When it comes to questions about Santa’s extraordinary stamina and logistical feats on Christmas Eve, we as parents are often heard gesticulating about the magic of Christmas and the power of believing. To the innocent and unsuspecting little minds, those hooves clippity clapping on the rooftop never break a single roof tile and their tummies are never full from ingesting a gazillion carrots. Santa, no surprise is a little on the tubby side, but never leaves more than a few crumbs behind from the cookies, milk and occasional beer. Lucky for him Rudolph has that nose to guide a slightly sloshed Santa through the skyways to deliver all the goodies for all the boys and girls. I like the idea of Santa. I like the magic of Christmas and I like joy he brings to all the little girls and boys. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Modern Parenting Tagged With: beliefs, Christmas, rituals, traditions

Mothers Day, My Nan and the Importance of Grandparents

May 5, 2011 By Martine 10 Comments

As Mothers Day approaches, I have been thinking about the presents I have to buy, the wondrous gifts I am about to receive from the proud shoppers at the primary school Mothers Day Stall and the fact that breakfast in bed will probably be a quick downing of Vegemite toast and a cup of tea before rushing off to the cold and fog of an early morning football game.

But it has also had me thinking more and more about my beautiful Nanna and the fact that this is the very first Mothers Day that we wont have her with us. And sadder still, this is the very first time that my mum wont have her mum with her on Mother’s Day. Like any times of celebration and appreciation, it can also be a time of sadness and reflection for times that were or could have been. I also think at this time of how there is one child that should be, but won’t be, jumping on my bed and making me a card each Mothers Day. I think too of those friends and family who for whatever reasons were unable to have the children they so desperately wanted, and thus don’t have any little people to help make them breakfast in bed. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Grief, Modern Parenting Tagged With: family, loss, Parenting, support, teaching, traditions

Rituals, Holidays and Family Traditions

April 21, 2011 By Martine 5 Comments

Rituals ,holidays and family traditions are what help make our families unique. These are the events that happen pretty much no matter what. They are the moments we can rely on, the occasions we can rejoice in and the times that help keep everything stable and predictable.

Rituals can be daily or weekly happenings such as saying ‘I love you’ each night before bed, reading a bedtime story, having a Sunday roast together, pizza on Friday nights or going to the footy each week. They can also be annual events such as holidays, celebrations or regular ways to commemorate occasions like birthdays, Easter, Christmas or summer holidays.

Growing up I was so privileged to have many rituals and family traditions that are certainly my strongest memories of childhood. They are the times I felt secure, surrounded by people that loved and cared for me, but also the times that made life predictable yet still exciting. When I think about the childhood I am helping to create for my boys, I know also that many of their greatest memories will be of the family rituals and traditions that we have both consciously and sub-consciously created. Creating wonderful childhood memories can also be particularly helpful during challenging times or times of grief. [Read more...]