Ten More Ideas for Family Rhythm and Ritual

A sense of predictability, stability, and security are all positive effects for children of a family life that is rich in rhythm and ritual. And a good ritual will also promote family closeness and bring you all closer together. It's something that the kids will remember and maybe even carry on into their own parenting someday.

We are trying to return to a norm of eating dinner together most weeknights. But what other rhythms and rituals can we make sure are part of our family life? Here are ten ideas we are either currently doing or I would like to do.

1. Bedtime stories read aloud. This is a beloved part of our family life and I can't imagine not doing this anymore.

2. Discussing the "plan for the day" the night before as we tuck the kids into bed. "Tomorrow we will have pancakes, then go to the pumpkin patch" or whatever. It's a great way of letting the kids plan ahead and have time to prepare themselves.

3. Having a regular Family Game Night once a week. We don't - but it would be cool.

4. Have a regular meal once a week - Pizza night or pancakes on Saturday morning or really anything that everyone enjoys. We don't do this either - but it's still a good idea.

5. Sunday night dinner. We have dinner almost every Sunday night at my in-law's, and my sister-in-law comes over too. It's a sit down dinner with candles and the whole thing, and the regularity of it is a great way to stay close as an extended family.

6. Get together as a family for a holiday activity each year. Since we had kids, we haven't missed a year with my in-law's for getting together to carve pumpkins for Halloween. We go out to the pumpkin patch and everyone picks out a pumpkin, and then they all come over to my house to carve. We get a group picture with all our carved pumpkins lit up in a row. You could pick any holiday and any activity - egg dying for Easter, cookie baking for Christmas, whatever.

7. Gather for a mini-family reunion once a year. All convene at a campground or a bed and breakfast, perhaps. I know people who gather with their extended families at the same beach each year, and it sounds wonderful.

8. Pick a holiday or occasion and host an annual bash - something that friends and family can count on. My in-law's have hosted an annual white elephant holiday party for the last 22 years running. I have decided to make St. Patrick's Day into my "thing", and I had my first annual party last year.

9. Have a special restaurant or food that you go to when anyone needs a pick-me-up. Mark the down-turns of life with a root beer float or a bowl of hot and sour soup.

10. Have a birthday ritual where the birthday boy or girl gets to pick a special menu plan or wear a special crown for the meal - make a birthday banner that can come out for all the birthdays.

What special rituals and rhythms do you have in your family? What ideas would you like to try?