Family Traditions

Life is busy.

Anything and everything can get in the way at any point, we all know that. But we can still make an effort to make sure the important stuff never take the back burner. For me, family is extremely important, its right up there with sleeping.

I grew up with fond memories of always having meals at the table with my parents and siblings. It always just was. We never questioned it, we never made excuses, and the tradition was hardly ever interrupted. Then we came to NY and we did continue having meals together for a while but it was while watching a movie... that was fine. We were still together and we still chatted after while dishes were being done and homework was being taken cared of. But eventually jobs started, schedules changed and family dinner happened only a few times per week. Then we got married and bla, bla, bla....

Now that I have my own family, I want the kids to have the same memories and family value that I grew up with. For almost a year now we've been having dinner together at the table with the twins. TV and radio are off. Phones are mostly not around. And we talk and we share (and yell at them to eat when they are not) and I truly hope that since they won't know any better, that the kids never come up with the genius idea to change it.

And I didn't stop there, I want the kiddos to be close to their cousins, aunts, uncles and grandparents, so I implemented family day with my parents and their kids once a month. We take turns hosting it. We catch up, we eat, we drink, we play or watch movies and its nice. We would like to do the same with Jeff's side of the family but the distance and their extra busy life has made it a bit impossible, sadly. His mom does come often on Sundays to visit so at least we have that. I hope that all the youngsters in the family will look forward to this for years and years to come.

What kind of traditions do you have or wish you had?