I’m officially starting “to begin to commence to start in” on the Family Traditions seminar we will be giving in November. When I googled how to run a seminar, the articles inferred that a seminar should give information that people are actually looking for and answer questions that people actually have. Brilliant.
So I need some ideas, thoughts, questions, etc. from you. (You were so helpful with the Cooking for a Crowd thing that I can’t help but ask again). I know I asked before, and got a few responses, but I’m going to ask again. And probably again. And again.
If you were going to a Children’s/Family Ministries conference and decided to attend a seminar entitled Family Traditions, what would you hope to hear/see/learn/acquire/etc.?
I’m thinking anything from holidays to spiritual life to seasonal to…
Anecdotes and personal family traditions are great. Beyond that, what I’m looking for today are topics and questions that will give me some idea of how to go about this.
Leilani & Devo, true love
Amelie & Lia, sisters
Levi, born April 21, 2009
THINK = = = What does this family “always” do when we get together – especially after a long absence?
MUST – take a trip around the island. – even if we have to rent a van to carry us all. There are lesser trips – to the pool, the beach, the whatever preserve out beyond Aruano. Must have a BBQ (hopefully Vickie with be chief chef! – though Jesse is no slouch!! Another eat is a Bhurra Khanna – Can’t read or write Hindi and your couldn’t read it anyway. (My freezer is still full of the ‘remains’ from July)
Have a puzzle out for family get togethers on holidays. Great chatting and togetherness around a puzzle.
Our early married years were so fractured with frequent moves, I don’t know that we had much time for developing ‘traditions’ – ask your mom or Carol.
I still have some of the Xmas tree decorations that my folks bought when they moved to CA in the ’60’s. The tattered and broken boxes still have Fedco labels with cost (usually less than a dollar for a box of 12.
Are there expressions or ’sayings’ that have unique meaning within the family. (I’m sure the ‘I’ll call it the Indian’ may someday enter that category).
Gpa Kahler’s patient came in for a pelvic exam. Patient explained that she hadn’t had time for a bath but had washed as far down and as far up as possible. He told her to go home and wash “possible” and then come back for her exam. Family has since referred to ‘fermale privates’ as “possible”
You frequently hear “the Rat’s been gnawing at the pantry door . . . . and now I’m getting dandruff”. In the ‘50;s probably, there was this song sung as a lament that went on and on complaining about all the things that were going on and the last was the dandruff bit.
In Sri Lanka, when students came to the nurse (either me or your mom) not feeling well their comment would be “paining, miss”. I’m sure you have heard that one around.
Much love, Gma
[...] Don’t It Posted on August 28, 2008 by Leilani For Grandma, who mentioned it in her comment on Family Traditions. I’ve always wondered exactly where the oft-used phrase “and I’m gettin’ [...]
Have you read Kay Kuzma’s book “The First Seven Years”? She gives some great examples of rituals/traditions in Chapter 4 (pgs 61-66). My favorites are “New Years Day Polar Bear Swim”, waking up the birthday person by gathering around their bed to sing “Happy Birthday”, Friday evening candles/holding hands and singing “Hallelujah”, and fall bonfires.
I tend to think our traditions aren’t as great as everyone else’s — maybe a good topic would be…”The Traditions You Didn’t Know You Had”.
Lately I’ve been thinking we need more weekly traditions, since the annual ones are pretty spread out and don’t create the intentional and regular aura(sp?) of family bonding that I’m looking for. So you could discuss the differences between weekly/yearly traditions, I suppose.
Another topic of interest to me would be — “Are Cheap Traditions Just As Valuable?” It seems like we sometimes think the price tag equals the value of something…but sometimes the best things are free.
My love for traditions stems from what I’ve read their benefits to be. As Dr. Phil says, “Rituals…help your children acquire a sense of continuity, security and love, particularly in today’s world where there’s so much family brokenness and emotional distance, and a pace that’s, literally, a blur of hyperactivity, diversion and distraction, and what I call living in the laser lane.” What wouldn’t I do to make my child feel more secure?
Those are my ideas for now — hope that helps! I love the idea and think you’ll do a fantastic job with this seminar. Record it and put it online!