Skip to main content

See you in the morning, Hoot, Hoot,” sings my daughter,

“See you in the morning, Hoot Hoot,” me echoing a reply.

This is the silly song you would hear in our family home every night before my daughter goes to bed.  It started after watching Giggle and Hoot when she was oh so young and we’ve continued ever since.  Now she tells me that is she goes for a sleepover with her friends, she still sings this to herself before falling asleep.

Think back to your own fond childhood memories.  What sticks out the most?  For many people, it’s the little things that leave the biggest impressions.  Perhaps it was the cakes you made together every Christmas, or staying up late to watch that special movie that only came on once a year, or maybe even the silly song your parents would sing when it was time to wake up for school or before going to bed.  No matter what rituals you remember from when you were young, they meant something to you.  As parents, it’s both fun and important to create some for your own children.

First, let’s define ritual.  Rituals are based on routines, and routines are a necessary component to raising children who feel safe and loved.  While children do need some element of choice in their lives, they benefit greatly from structure as well.  For example, a bedtime routine may include starting at the same time every night and completing tasks in a certain order.  Doing this allows your child to know what to expect so they can focus their learning and energy on other things.  Routines set expectations for the way a household operates.

The shift from routine to ritual is really about the identity of a group of people (in this case, a family).  Having dinner each night at a set time is part of the routine, but sitting together at a table and each sharing one good thing about the day turns it into a ritual.  Rituals create deeper connections between family members, allowing everyone to feel good about the time spent together.

Looking for some ideas?  Try a few of the following:

Mealtimes

  • Make eating dinner together at the table a priority as often as your schedules allow. Even if the meal doesn’t last very long, it can be a nice way to make time for each other.
  • Add special touches: light a candle each night, or use pretty cloth napkins. Little details that make everyone feel special make a big difference.
  • Find a way to get the conversation going. Some families share their “roses and thorns” – what’s going on in our lives that we’re not happy about, and what do we have to celebrate?  In our family, we take it in turns to say what we’re grateful for.

Daily

  • Is there a silly element you might add to the morning routine? Sing a song about toothbrushing, dance to a song that gets everyone moving, or make up a handshake.
  • Meditate together. For kids the key is to keep it short and sweet. Look at these videos:
  • Be sure to sneak in some family cuddle time!
  • Have a special bedtime routine. Consider having a few special songs to choose from, a special light to use while reading together in bed, or a sweet saying when you tuck them in (your own modern version of “Sleep tight.  Don’t let the bedbugs bite!”).

Weekly

  • Mealtimes are often the easiest way to build in regular rituals. Think Taco Tuesdays, breakfast for dinner day, and ordering a pizza on Friday nights.
  • Find something local that you can do every weekend. Some families visit their farmer’s market.   Some families go surfing.  Some families choose a different walking route each week.
  • Make a fun time out of cleaning the house together (really!). Even your toddler can have a blast with a dustpan, and pre-school aged children and tweenagers can be so helpful.  In our house once you add some novelty to the cleaning up, the chores become fun.  My daughter likes to sweep the floor on her skateboard, yes really!   Recently, the best fun was vacuuming in my wedding dress which she found in the cupboard I asked her to clean out.   All family members will have a sense of contribution and togetherness.  Play some upbeat music that you know will get everyone moving!

Holidays

Most families have these rituals in place already.  Holiday rituals are often sacred to us; they’re the ones we carry on from our own childhoods and are eager to share them with our children.  Consider whether you already have some of the following rituals in place:

  • Special foods for different holidays
  • Songs that you can sing together in celebration
  • Movies that you watch each year
  • Gatherings you host or attend together
  • Books you read together

Other ideas

  • Go camping together once or twice a year. The whole process, from packing to setting up the tent is packed with unforgettable rituals.
  • Stay up late to witness special astronomical events outdoors.
  • Volunteer together. Shop for a can drive, help out at an animal shelter, or spend time at your local soup kitchen.
  • Enjoy seasonal outdoor activities together. Go berry picking every year, make a sandcastle, hike, or go swimming.

We would love to hear more ideas.  Please share any unique ritual ideas your family enjoys together!

Want to learn more? 

Denice Scala

Author Denice Scala

B.A, M.Ed, Dip ED, Dip RSA, Cert. Neuroscience. Principal, Forestville Montessori School. Denice Scala is an executive leader with extensive experience in key strategic roles requiring business transformation and innovation. As a passionate advocate for the power of education to enrich lives, Denice moved from classroom teaching to leadership positions in 1992 and since then has held international in roles in Scotland and Australia as Principal, Head of Junior School, and Head of Learning Support. She has an impressive working knowledge of early learning, primary, middle, and secondary schooling including gifted education and special needs. Her Masters in Gifted Education led her to work extensively to find ways to cater for gifted students. This led to providing professional development opportunities for educators to assist in their understanding of the characteristics of gifted children and the complexities of growing up gifted. Denice’s unparalleled grasp of current educational realities is equally matched by her big picture thinking combined with practical solutions to navigate change. Denice’s passion for Montessori education led her to undertake the AMI Introduction to Adolescents Course, to audit the AMI 6-12 Diploma, and to also currently undertake the AMI School Administration Certificate Course.

More posts by Denice Scala

Leave a Reply