A family ritual designs a set of behaviours to evoke feelings and experiences that are needed to effect pleasant memories in family life. Families who do not share special rituals often do not have a rewarding family support system and the children can feel alienated. With tight schedules, rituals can be forgotten and children do not feel connected to a family unit.
Dinner together and sharing a simple blessing at mealtime can enhance family life. Just a few words can be spoken, perhaps in turns, or a small rhyme that is easily remembered. An example might be: “Thank you Lord for good food to eat, Our home with Dad and Mom so sweet, And daily all their tender care, With loving hugs that we all share.” Bath time, bed time and story time all combine to round out the day cementing happy family memories.
I was amazed to see my 6 and 4 year old great-grandchildren sitting together in my large rocker, each holding a book they were pretending to read. “Look,” I said to my grandson, “they seem so relaxed with books.” He was making entries in my new computer, turned around and said, “They just love books.” It’s easy to guess what one of their family rituals might be.
The first time we were old enough to be allowed to bring “Breakfast in Bed” to our mother is a happy memory. Great Grandpa Bob tells how his grandparents with their nine sons and daughters and families all often gathered at the large parental home for Sunday dinner after church and each brought a favourite dish to share together.
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