Parenting Rituals: Which Ones Have Stuck?

You all know I’m a planner. On top of that, I’m also optimistic and overly-ambitious! That’s why I wanted to check in about our parenting rituals to see which ones have stood the test of time. We are now 8 years in with our first child and nearly 6 years in with our second.

Parenting Rituals: End of Year Books

When the boys first went to daycare/school, I bought them copies of Oh, the Places You’ll Go and started asking their teachers to write goodbye messages when the boys were graduating from their classes. My aunt bought the book for me when I graduated from high school, and it has always had a lot of meaning for me. I since learned that Dr. Seuss was racist. If I were starting all over again, I might purchase a hardbound copy of Miss Rumphius instead. But, for now, I’ll make sure the boys are aware of Seuss’s past when we read books of his.

It’s so beautiful to read the messages that their thoughtful teachers and care givers write to them. I love this ritual! Tate is graduating from kindergarten this year, so I need to be sure to get his book to his teacher. Henry will be in 3rd grade next year and will have more year with the same guide in his Montessori, multi-age community.

I have only missed one year of this ritual!

Parenting Rituals: Found Objects

Once a year, I try to collect one of the objects that Henry and Tate find/bring home. I store these objects in a secret basket in my closet. Each item is placed in a little plastic baggie with the age and the name of the child on it.

My idea is that I will collect objects for 18 years and then turn them into a piece of shadow box art for each child at some point.

I have at least one object for each year so far. Phew! This one is kind of hard to keep track of. I need a little list somewhere.

Tooth Fairy

The tooth fairy is in full effect around here with Henry! We tell Henry and Tate that we are the Tooth Fairy, but it still feels like a fun and magical experience for them.

I always write them little notes on a piece of stationary and incorporate a quarter into the design. For example, I have used:

• You are my sunshine!
• You make the world better!
• I’m over the moon for you!
• You are a ball. You make our lives so fun!
• You’re a blast!
• I love you so, snow much!
• You are so sweet!

Easy-Peasy Scrapbook

I have been keeping a binder for each boy since they were born. Each year, I write them a letter to celebrate their birthday. Then I print approximately 10 photos from Walgreens. I use double-sided tape to stick them to cardstock. Then I slide the cardstock into sheet protectors. Voila!

Throughout the year, I add class photos, report cards, 1-2 pieces of art, our annual holiday card, etc. These binders really are easy to keep up with, and I love looking at them with the boys.

5-Year Journal

Three years ago, I bought this 5-year journal. It has a couple lines for each year (for a total of 5 years) on every single page. It’s a lovely way to capture our life and look back on it with gratitude.

This parenting ritual is my most inconsistent. It only takes a couple minutes a day, but sometimes I’m just too uninspired and can’t think of anything to write. When I do write in it, I really appreciate it. I love turning to Matt and saying, “Last year on this day…..”

Final Reflection on Parenting Rituals

This is a lot of parenting rituals! Maybe if I didn’t spend so much time on stuff like this I would have more patience for my children and be a better mother? I’m half-joking. These parenting rituals actually don’t take much time or even a lot of mental capacity. But I am writing this post while my children are at the park. But that’s okay. I needed a little quiet time to recharge my parenting battery!