Culture comes in many different shapes and sizes. It is the behavior, beliefs, and characteristics of any group of people; such as the country or community you live in or even the family you are born into. It provides people with a sense of personal identity and links them to the ones who share those similar beliefs.
In life, there are many different paths we may find ourselves walking down. Some of these paths can cause a family to lose focus on what is important or might lead a family on another path to their new home. Sometimes these paths can change our lives so dramatically that we struggle to find and remember our culture. Because culture is an essential part of life, I have found what I think are the best ways to create/preserve a family's culture.
1. Find out what you like to do as a family... what is your family identity?
2. Maintain old traditions and create new ones that are fun and meaningful for everyone involved.
3. Eat dinner as a family--develop your relationship.
Step one is to find your family's identity. What do you like to do together? In my family, we always hold game nights-- its just what we do. As you find your families identity, you grow closer and develop a bond together. You might be the musical family, the athletic family, the family that loves to read. Whatever it is that your family loves to do together, take that, and make it a part of who you are.
Step two is my personal favorite. Family traditions are essential to preserving your culture. It is important to maintain the traditions from your childhood that made an impact on you, and to pass them down to your children. As you develop your own families, it is also beneficial to create your own traditions. For example, my family has its own Valentine's day tradition that my mom decided she wanted to create to contribute to our culture. Every morning on February 14th, I wake up to a present on the desk next to me, which usually consists of a new pair of funky Valentine socks, and a box of candy from my wonderful mom. Later the same day, we would gather around the dinner table as a family. The lights would be turned off and several candles on the table would be lit as we ate pizza in the shape of a heart. Together, we would laugh and enjoy the time together. This is one of the many yearly family traditions in my home; it is something we all cherish and look forward to. Doing this every year helps to strengthen our relationship as a family. As you strive to keep traditions alive, you will start to feel your culture in your family.
The last step is to always eat dinner together as a family. It seems like a small thing, but it is crucial in developing/maintaining a culture within your family. We've all heard the saying that food brings people together. This couldn't be more true within the family. It is obvious that families who eat together, talk more and spend more time together. As a family sits down at the end of each day and discusses their lives, they develop a pattern. When you have a connected family, you start to build your family culture.
The word culture can mean several different things to different people. In the family, establishing the culture you want for you, and your kids, is essential in living a happy life with those you love. Finding your family identity, keeping and/or creating traditions, and developing your relationship with each other is how you can both maintain your current culture, and create a new one. Life doesn't always go where we think it will, but if we strive to preserve our family culture, we will begin to see life's joy--even in its unexpected twists and turns.
live happy,
Karlie
In life, there are many different paths we may find ourselves walking down. Some of these paths can cause a family to lose focus on what is important or might lead a family on another path to their new home. Sometimes these paths can change our lives so dramatically that we struggle to find and remember our culture. Because culture is an essential part of life, I have found what I think are the best ways to create/preserve a family's culture.
1. Find out what you like to do as a family... what is your family identity?
2. Maintain old traditions and create new ones that are fun and meaningful for everyone involved.
3. Eat dinner as a family--develop your relationship.
Step one is to find your family's identity. What do you like to do together? In my family, we always hold game nights-- its just what we do. As you find your families identity, you grow closer and develop a bond together. You might be the musical family, the athletic family, the family that loves to read. Whatever it is that your family loves to do together, take that, and make it a part of who you are.
Step two is my personal favorite. Family traditions are essential to preserving your culture. It is important to maintain the traditions from your childhood that made an impact on you, and to pass them down to your children. As you develop your own families, it is also beneficial to create your own traditions. For example, my family has its own Valentine's day tradition that my mom decided she wanted to create to contribute to our culture. Every morning on February 14th, I wake up to a present on the desk next to me, which usually consists of a new pair of funky Valentine socks, and a box of candy from my wonderful mom. Later the same day, we would gather around the dinner table as a family. The lights would be turned off and several candles on the table would be lit as we ate pizza in the shape of a heart. Together, we would laugh and enjoy the time together. This is one of the many yearly family traditions in my home; it is something we all cherish and look forward to. Doing this every year helps to strengthen our relationship as a family. As you strive to keep traditions alive, you will start to feel your culture in your family.
The last step is to always eat dinner together as a family. It seems like a small thing, but it is crucial in developing/maintaining a culture within your family. We've all heard the saying that food brings people together. This couldn't be more true within the family. It is obvious that families who eat together, talk more and spend more time together. As a family sits down at the end of each day and discusses their lives, they develop a pattern. When you have a connected family, you start to build your family culture.
The word culture can mean several different things to different people. In the family, establishing the culture you want for you, and your kids, is essential in living a happy life with those you love. Finding your family identity, keeping and/or creating traditions, and developing your relationship with each other is how you can both maintain your current culture, and create a new one. Life doesn't always go where we think it will, but if we strive to preserve our family culture, we will begin to see life's joy--even in its unexpected twists and turns.
live happy,
Karlie
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