In today’s fast-paced world, it’s SO easy for families to feel like ships passing in the night. We have loved creating family rituals to help us feel connected, even when life feels crazy.
Family rituals are NOT just about going through the motions; they are about intentionally setting aside time to connect, celebrate, and create a sense of belonging.
Keep reading to learn more about how we use family rituals with our kids and how you can, too!
Table of Contents
What Are Family Rituals?
Here’s the best part… family rituals can be anything you want! Yep. It’s truly THAT simple!
Whether it’s a weekly game night, a monthly family outing, secret handshakes, or an annual vacation, these rituals provide a sense of stability and predictability.
The important part is not WHAT you do, it’s that you intentionally make the time to DO it.
The Importance of Family Rituals
Family rituals truly are important to building strong bonds within your family. They also really help to nurture a sense of togetherness and deeper affection.
Family rituals also provide a sense of identity and belonging, since they are special and unique to that immediate family!
Plus, family rituals offer a sense of predictability and stability in an ever-changing world. In a society where everyone is constantly busy, special family rituals provide an element of grounding.
Everyone in the family knows they can count on the others to be there, and all be on the same page, and that brings a sense of comfort and security.
Types of Family Rituals
Family rituals can be whatever YOU want! The sky is the limit… again, the important piece is that you enjoy them. 🙂
Here are some ideas for you:
1. Daily Rituals
- Eating dinner together
- Reading bedtime stories
- Sharing “highs and lows” at a meal
- Early morning snuggles
- Morning and/or evening prayer time
- Family walks
These types of rituals you do effortlessly every day. If you are just starting out, try to pick something that you do EVERY day to help build the habit more quickly.
The goal is connection and communication, so don’t overthink it!
2. Weekly Rituals
- Friday night pizza night
- Saturday movie or game night
- Sunday hikes
- Going to a Saturday morning class
- Picking one time per week for a game night
- “Choose Your Own Dinner Night” (this one is a highlight for my kids, ha!)
Weekly rituals often require just a bit more planning, but should be FUN, not stressful! The idea is to break up the monotony of day-to-day life so you can spend some extended time together doing something as a group.
3. Periodic Rituals
- Going on camping trips
- Visiting museums
- Birthdays or anniversary traditions
- First day of school traditions
- Last day of school traditions
- Holiday traditions
- Attending your annual family reunion
Depending on your family dynamic, you may have some of these settled already! Many families carry on holiday or birthday traditions. And, research has shown that holiday traditions bring some of the most happiness!
However, if you have never had intentional rituals in these areas, this is a great way to start!
While you might not experience them regularly, these are often some core memories that children carry with them to adulthood.
4. “Special” Family Rituals
- Secret greetings or handshakes
- Special nicknames
- A family nickname for you as a group
- Something you do every time it rains, snows, etc
These are some of my FAVORITE rituals to develop as my children grow! I am calling these “special” rituals because they often develop organically and feel super special.
In our family, we have a special nickname for us as a group that just kind of… happened! But it’s become a very special ritual for us to use.
You may not use these every day or every week, but they are nonetheless important!
Benefits of Family Rituals
The benefits of family rituals go beyond just creating great memories!
Family rituals can absolutely impact the well-being and development of family members in SO many ways!
- Stronger relationships
- Opportunities for connection and bonding
- Resilience building
- Creating a sense of stability
- Communication skill building
- Emotional regulation
- Sense of stability
- Giving children a place to belong
There are SO many more, but I think you get the idea! Family rituals are awesome and the more you can intentionally build them into your family, the better! 🙂
How to Get Started Creating Family Rituals
Now, all of this may seem daunting at first, but trust me… you do NOT need to get fancy or go all crazy with this!
Here are some tips to help you get started:
1. Identify Your Family’s Values and Interests
A GREAT way to start is simply by reflecting on your family values, either by yourself, with your spouse/partner, or as an entire family unit.
Think about everyone’s interests! What activities bring you joy and create a sense of togetherness? What rituals or traditions might you already have in place?
2. Start Small
As I mentioned above, start SIMPLE! Think of something you all usually do together daily, or at least weekly. Build on that activity or time together.
You can always add more as you go… but these are not meant to be something you check off your (way too long!) to-do list. Family rituals are meant to be special, fun, and essentially automatic things you do as a family.
3. Be Flexible and Open to Change
Family rituals will change and grow over time as your family changes and grows! What you might do with your baby won’t be the same when they are 12 years old.
Be open to new ideas and ways of doing things! Remember to ask for input from everyone when making changes, too. You’re a TEAM!
Creating Lasting Memories Through Rituals
Family rituals allow you the opportunity to create lasting memories that will be cherished for years to come.
So, it makes sense to preserve those memories the best you can! Here are some ideas to help save these precious memories as you go:
1. Photos
Take photos or videos! Make sure to include EVERY family member in photos… so often, one or both parents spend time taking pictures of the kids, but there aren’t as many of them WITH the kids!
Be sure you capture yourself in the photos. 🙂
2. Create Family Heirlooms or Keepsakes
A fun idea to preserve your memories is to create something WITH them. This might be a scrapbook, memory jar, family recipe book, or something similar.
This is a great way to create something together as a family unit!
3. Create A Ritual of Rituals
Ok, this one is a bit funny… but, be sure to create a ritual where you reflect and remember your rituals! 🙂 You want to be able to look back and feel proud of the intention you’ve brought to your family. You also want to look at how your family has grown or changed.
Are You Ready to Create Your Own Family Rituals?
I hope you are feeling inspired after reading this and ready to go build your own rituals!
Family rituals play an important role in creating strong bonds and lasting memories within the family. They provide a sense of stability, belonging, and togetherness in today’s fast-paced world. I know they’ll be a valuable tool for your family, just like they’ve been for mine!
