The term family culture is new to me and I recently discovered it while listening to some homeschool related podcasts. I’ve been listening to the Wild and Free podcast as well as Read Aloud Revival podcast and both of these have been mentioning the term family culture.
I had never thought about the term family culture before my recent discovery this past Fall but now I really enjoy thinking about what family culture means to me and my family. I also wanted to share this with other moms who may have never heard about family culture.
Even Sally Clarkson mentions the term “Family Culture” when she describes the process she took to write her book The Lifegiving Home. She mentions the various aspects of family culture that she feels make each family unique and different are: Personalities, History, Events, Traditions and Values. She states how family culture “defines each family member and give each one a sense of identity.”
Tsh Oxenrieder mentions family culture a few times in her book Notes from a Blue Bike. I love how she and her husband, Kyle, have made travel an important part of their family culture.
Personalities and Family Culture
Oh, boy do we have a variety of personalities in our family. I could write an entire book on each one and how they are good or bad for our family culture. I will just share a little bit about how the differences in our children’s personalities tend to bless our family and shape our family culture.
You see we have a few early birds and a few night owls. This can be a little frustrating to plan family activities when each person is “at their best” but when two early birds are up together they tend to do things together. Something simple like baking muffins or brownies while others are still sleeping help create a sibling bond that builds our family culture.
One son is very flexible and go with the flow which makes changing plans at the last minute no big deal for him whereas another siblings heart might be crushed if plans change. We try to explain to that child why the plans have changed and if we had any control over the situation or not. Sometimes it’s totally up to someone else or the weather which we have no control over or if our van breaks down. If we can keep our plans we try to do so.
Even Riley and I have different personalities which help keep our family knitted together. I am more of a planner while he is spontaneous. I take confrontation head on while he is more of a peacemaker. We build on each others strengths and weaknesses which seems to work well for raising children with various personalities.
Events Create Family Culture
Attending events together create family culture while sharing new adventures or activities that can be experienced and enjoyed together. We cannot attend every free educational family activity that we could drive to in an hour or less but we do try to attend events throughout the year. We have enjoyed educational events like TechFest, Home School STEM days and numerous field trips both free and pay.
We have enjoyed seasonal events like Food Truck Rally’s, Farmer’s Markets, Fairs and Festivals as well as Pumpkin Patches. Each year the children look forward to these fun family events that are outdoors and perfect for a good weather day.
We plan on adding First Friday events, this year, that are offered by two different towns within 30 minutes from our house. Since each town offers different themed activities we can try to attend these evenings out of the house as a family or couple.
Traditions Strengthen Family Culture
Creating daily, weekly, and yearly traditions help build family culture with shared experiences that children look forward to. One of the biggest and simplest traditions, eating meals together, has become the most at risk for many families across the nation! We try to eat two meals a day together or at least a meal and snack. This can be a little crazy with varied work shifts for Dad and a variety of activities for teens but we still try to MAKE and EAT meals together routinely.
Big Red has requested that he learn to cook and help with meal prep. This activity is great for bonding with mom, dad or a big sibling along with reading and math skills! Lil’ Red has proven that he can make a great Sous Chef as well!
We have tried to add audiobooks into lunchtime so that our children will get to experience rich literature together. Each activity that your children experience together gives them just one more way to bond and interact now and as they grow into adults.
Playing together is another tradition that our family enjoys whether it be heading to a park or playground, taking a hike or riding bikes our family is working at adding new traditions as our children grow. Warm Summer nights allow us the opportunity to roast marshmallows and hot dogs over our fire pit!
Books to Strengthen Family Culture
If you want to explore family culture a bit more then check out these books that encourage you in your family culture journey!
What do you think about the term Family Culture?
What do you plan to do each season to grow a strong Family Culture with your own children or grandchildren?
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