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Rituals
“More is not necessarily better and material abundance does not
substitute for closeness.” Meg Cox, author of the book The Heart
Of The Family says we need rituals to provide an emotional
closeness for adults and to address the deepest needs of our
children.”
In a study of 90,000 teenagers, researchers tried to figure out
why certain children were less likely than others to engage in risky
behaviors, such as drug abuse and sex. Only one factor stood out: it
was simply that the children who avoided the risky behaviors felt
emotionally close to their families.” . Rituals can make families
feel truly connected says Cox. And Christmas is an ideal time to
establish family rituals. These could be as simple as making a
particular dish or sweets with the children or giving home made
gifts. Established rituals can do a lot for children. They can
impart a sense of identity, provide comfort and security and help
them to navigate change.
Rituals can also teach values, cultivate a knowledge of cultural
or religious heritage or teach practical skills. A ritual can be
used to keep alive the memory of departed family members, create
memories to cherish and of course generate great joy. According to
Cox: “Ritual is almost anything, big or small, that families perform
together deliberately, providing there is repetition or some
dramatic flourish that elevates the activity above the ordinary
grind.”
© Barbara King Source: from family.com
Making Time For Tradition Dec 98 |
