When I was in middle school, I started taking piano lessons. I wasn’t the best at practicing and didn’t keep up with the hobby for long, but I remember how supportive my dad was of me learning. During this time, he bought a collection of Beethoven songs and would play them when we were in the car together. It became our special, small tradition together. I’d get to ride in the front seat and we would blast Symphony No. 5 on our way home or to the grocery store.
Create small traditions out of what your family enjoys most
I loved listening to music with my dad. As a parent, he found a way relate that to my current interest and built a small tradition around it. Sometimes when we hear the word tradition, we think of expensive annual trips or extravagant gifts or experiences. Truly, for our kids, some of the most memorable traditions are those shared around the dinner table or in the mundane car rides we take every week.
Traditions grow with us, becoming sacred
I believe all of the glory in this life is sacred. From this belief, I live with joy in even the blandest of events because I know the human experience on this earth matters to Jesus. He cares about how our hearts approach all of it. Small traditions don’t always last forever. Eventually, we tired of listening to the same song over and over. Our children will outgrow wanting to participate in the traditions, but when they are adults, and hear the song we always sung together, they will remember just how special those memories were.
Making small traditions with our children starts with partnering with their joy. What makes your child come alive? How can you participate in that with them today?
“Children are a heritage from the Lord,
offspring a reward from him.
4 Like arrows in the hands of a warrior
are children born in one’s youth.
5 Blessed is the man
whose quiver is full of them.
They will not be put to shame
when they contend with their opponents in court.” (Psalm 127:3-5)
