Why Mother?s Day is Important For Children

Mother's Day is important for children.

This Mother's Day take note how your children celebrate the occasion. They will probably celebrate it in much the same way year after year. Do they do anything special for you? Do they do the same things as they did last year? Maybe they give you breakfast in bed and insist on unwrapping gifts before you eat? Maybe they wrap their gifts in a certain way or hide them throughout the house, as occurs in one family. Take note of the special activities that your loved ones create and develop on Mother's Day. We often take these for granted but it is in the differences and uniqueness that the power of rituals lie.

It is the rituals of events such as Mother's Day that are significant. Australian psycholgist Andrew Fuller calls family rituals "the coathooks upon which we hang your family and childhood memories". Family rituals such as Mother's Day are extraordinarily protective for children as in times of change it is the rituals that remain constant.

Rituals such as Mother's Day are also anchors to childhood for adolescents. Even teenagers tend to celebrate important days such as Mothers Days and birthdays in the same ways that they did when they were young. At a time when they are rapidly moving toward adulthood the ritual of Mother's Day helps them to revisit their childhoods at least for a time. Also as everything in their world becomes increasingly transient it is a reminder that some things don't change.

If you are a new mother then you will be shaping the way that Mother's Day will be celebrated. You will probably bring some traditions from your family of origin, particularly if Mother's Day was a special event. If you got together as a family for lunch then you will probably keep that tradition going in your new family and integrate with visits to your family of origin.

Strong families value rituals such as Mother's Day. They look for every opportunity to gather and guard these rituals assiduously. It is rituals that bring everyone together when life gets frantic and other activities get tossed aside. When families begin to break down it is rituals that are the first casualities of conflict.

As families become increasingly similar in this media age it is important to maintain those distinctive traditions and rituals such as the way you celebrate Mother's Day that make each family special and signify a child's significance within his primary social group ? his family.

Michael Grose is one of Australia's most popular parenting educators. The author is six books for parents Michael is in heavy demand as a speaker, writer and parenting educator. Visit http://www.parentingideas.com.au and subscribe to Happy Kids, his high quality fortnightly email newsletter or sign-up for one of his free online courses.

---

No Invitation Needed: Sacred Children Series - 3 of 3

I had my first two children on either side of... Read More

Create a Story Book with Your Child

A fun way to build your child's imaginationWriting is still... Read More

Personal Responsibility: What It Means and Whose Job is It?

"How many times do I have to tell you to... Read More

Parenting Failure? It May Not Be All It Seems!

I'll never forget my first lesson in a glider.I'd been... Read More

An Overview of Alternative Treatments for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Since so many would rather avoid the use of stimulant... Read More

How Do You Find the Best Car Seat to Protect Your Child

Choosing a good car seat for your child's protection is... Read More

5 Solid Reasons: Why Your Child Can Be An Achiever

All of us, including your child, entered this world equipped... Read More

Empty Nest Syndrome

Paula's last child had just gone off to college and... Read More

A New School Year

Depending on where you live school will be starting this... Read More

Time, Stress, and a Baby

The main thing we noticed since having a baby is... Read More

How Public Schools Coerce Parents Into Giving Mind-Altering Drugs To Their Children

Despite the potentially dangerous side-effects of Ritalin, public school authorities... Read More

A Man and His Baby

When a couple steps forth with a baby in tow... Read More

Old Wives Tales and Other Things That Just Might Help with ADHD

Here are some tips that I have picked up from... Read More

You Make Me Sick And Other Things Parents Say in Anger

Maryann is so focused she's blind. She's slipped over the... Read More

Entering Their Imaginative World

In dealing with children with autism spectrum disorders, its all... Read More

Defrazzle with a Hearty Guffaw

"The best blush to use is laughter: It put roses... Read More

Lifebooks: Every Adopted Child Needs One

Information is gold when you are adopted. Every tiny piece... Read More

The ABCs of Raising Twins

As a mother of two sets of fraternal boy/girl twins,... Read More

Wholism and Materialism

Perhaps I could make a lot of money by founding... Read More

The Parent Teen Relationship: How Effective is Yours?

It was the homework that did it. Each night became... Read More

Childhood Obesity & Parents Healthy Food Confusion

Many parents struggle to know which foods are healthy for... Read More

Twins - Double The Trouble Or Double The Pleasure? Both!

If You're Having Twins..is it double the headache, or double... Read More

Psychological Effects of Child Abuse

Many children who suffer from the psychological effects of child... Read More

Saving Money on Preschool: Readiness Skills Needed for Kindergarten

As a mom of 4 who's youngest child is about... Read More

How Well Do You Know Your Child?

Do you think you really know your child? I don't... Read More

Using Pocket-money To Promote Independence In Kids

In seminars I am often asked about pocket-money and whether... Read More

Homes for Troubled Teens: Therapeutic and Residential

For troubled teens who are struggling with drug abuse, depression... Read More

Goal Setting for Kids

Goal setting is essential for building a successful life. However,... Read More

Let Your Children Name the New Baby

Choosing a baby name is an important job, so make... Read More

Does Your Child Need A Bedtime Routine? - Yes!

Do you struggle to get your child to bed at... Read More

The Post-Holiday Blues In Stepfamilies

In stepfamilies, big holiday expectations can lead to big disappointment--and... Read More

A Little Love, Please?

Article based on a friend's experienceI just wanted to share... Read More

Guilty of Not Following Her Heart

Karen, a single never-married thirty-year old attorney has a four-year... Read More