Family routines and rituals
Routines and rituals help family members to know what to expect, to feel secure and to feel like they belong. You might feel like you don’t have any rituals – but even singing to your child at bedtime gives them a sense of belonging and security.
Household routines
An organised, predictable home environment helps to make a child feel secure and safe. Routines can help a child to learn life skills, such as hygiene and cleanliness, caring for pets, and money skills.
If you feel like your family isn’t spending enough time together, or something is regularly causing the kids to fight, you might want to create a new routine. It may be as simple as taking turns to wash or dry the dishes – knowing who is responsible for doing what can help stop the kids bickering.
Good routines are well planned, regular and predictable – without making life so regimented that you have no chance to relax!
The Raising Children website has articles on routines and how to start a new routine.
Rituals
Rituals are the activities and habits that are unique to your family. Some are simple, routine things like reading bedtime stories, going to the beach together in summer, or playing games.
Rituals can strengthen your family’s bond, and help your children feel connected and special. They also show your children what you as a family value – particularly time together and communication.
This article, on the Raising Children website, has tips on creating family rituals. The Kiwi Families website has ideas for setting up positive rituals.
