10 Family Traditions I’m Passing Down

Logan’s first and second pumpkin patch tradition.

My family is rich in tradition and those traditions have helped create so many wonderful memories that I hope to pass down to my son. Those childhood memories are what you look back on and remember as an adult. Even if your family of origin doesn’t have very many traditions, you can start your own traditions now. I’ve enjoyed creating new memories with my husband for our little family. Here are some of the traditions we hope to pass on to Logan.

1. Bedtime stories. I have fond memories of my parents reading to me when I was little and that’s probably why I’m such a book worm now. When I found out I was pregnant, my parents gave me a box full of all of my childhood books. It’s the best being able to share those books with my child.

2. Saturday morning pancakes. I told you last week about my family’s Saturday morning pancake tradition. Most Saturdays, I’d wake to the smell of pancakes coming from the kitchen. I’m reminded of my childhood every time I smell pancakes cooking.

3. Solo parent time. Family time is important, but so is creating special mommy & me or daddy & me memories. I love that I had my own special “things” with each of my parents. My dad took me fishing, taught me how to play basketball and turned everything into an adventure. My mom took me shopping, out to the movies and was my first best friend.

4. Passing on family recipes. There are many recipes in my family that go back generations that I hope to pass on to my child.My grandma ight have to help with the teaching part though because “a pinch of this” and “some of that” isn’t the best explanation for measurements. I love Natalie’s family cookbook idea!

5. Family road trips. Anyone else have childhood memories of piling into the car and asking “are we there yet?” over and over until your parents threaten to tie you to the roof of the car if you ask one more time? Maybe that part wasn’t so fun, but spending time as a family and singing along to the radio or making up silly games to pass the time is priceless.

6. Family game night. One of my favorite family traditions was playing board games by candlelight anytime we had a power outage. I’m hoping to start a new family game night tradition in my little family and we might just dim the lights and turn on some candles.

7. Exercising together. I remember long bike rides and playing catch at the park. I think it’s important to be an example of health for your child, because that stuff will stick with them when they get older. I’ve enjoyed running with my little guys in the mornings and I love when he asks me to “cise” (toddler language for exercise) with him.

8. Birthday cake. I love that my family still celebrates birthdays with a cake, no matter how old you are.

9. Christmas luminarias. There are so many holiday traditions in my family that I hope to pass on to my child, but I especially don’t want to forget our luminaria tradition. Every Christmas Eve in my family, we decorate the entryway to our homes with brown paper bags filled with sand and lit with candles. Sounds strange, but they are beautiful.

10. Pumpkin patch. This is actually a brand new tradition we started with Logan. Every year, right before Halloween, we’ll go to the pumpkin patch to pick out a pumpkin and take the obligatory pumpkin patch picture.

What are some of your family traditions you hope to pass on to your child?