| p>Rituals. When we think of them, we often think | | | | the upcoming school year. |
| of church, temple, or synagogue. We think sacred | | | | 2. Have a celebration meeting. |
| and mysterious. However, rituals are really | | | | At this family meeting, you will celebrate what |
| important parts of everyday living that sanctify | | | | you learned over the summer and then discuss |
| the ordinary. Seemingly ordinary experiences take | | | | what you hope to learn the coming school |
| on a deeper, extraordinary meaning with a ritual. | | | | year-parents included! Enjoy a special dessert and |
| Why? Because rituals are intentional and by their | | | | spend some time querying the children about |
| very nature they symbolize important meaning. | | | | what they learned and how they grew over |
| Saying goodbye to summer and welcoming a new | | | | these last three months. By probing what they |
| school year can moving and significant when | | | | expect to learn this school year, you give them |
| ritualized. | | | | the opportunity to set goals for themselves while |
| Children and teens love the recognition of a | | | | you clarify expectations. Older children and teens |
| transition. But with hectic schedules, it's often | | | | can write down what hey hope to learn, put the |
| easy to lose track of the special nature of events | | | | list away, and bring it out at the end of the school |
| in our lives. Take time to show you value the | | | | year, to see if they learned what they thought |
| current transition. Here are three ideas-one of | | | | they would! |
| them may work for your family or compile a few | | | | 3. Visit a special place-one last time. |
| of the ideas to design your own family ritual! | | | | If you have a place your family likes to go, a local |
| 1. Hold two special family night dinners. | | | | park, a site in your city where you get a fabulous |
| One week have a Farewell to Summer dinner. It | | | | view, a swim club, or a bike trail you've often |
| might include hot dogs, grilled vegetables, | | | | used. Go there. Take a few minutes to look |
| home-made ice cream-those foods we associate | | | | around and thank this place for the great times |
| with summer. As you eat, each family member | | | | you have had there, talking about any highlights |
| says goodbye to summer and talks about their | | | | that come to mind. Then, on your way home, |
| one special summer memory. The following week, | | | | stop by a favorite café or bakery. While |
| have a Welcome to School Dinner. The kids' | | | | treating your family, discuss what you anticipate |
| favorite foods can be combined with decorations | | | | the school season will bring-what more family fun |
| that associate with school, such as a pad and | | | | can you have during the fall? What will your |
| pencil by each place setting; place cards written | | | | special places be? |
| by the children in crayons, etc. Everyone talks | | | | Copyright, Gloria DeGaetano, 2010. All Rights |
| about what they are looking forward to during | | | | Reserved. |