When Meg Cox became a mom in 1994, she knew she wanted to create contemporary family traditions for not just the holidays, but daily, weekly and monthly rituals that could be celebrated all year long. She used her skills as a journalist and spent three years interviewing families all across the US and compiling a wonderful collection of traditions and rituals that she turned into “The Book of New Family Traditions: How to Create Great Rituals for Holidays and Everyday”. It’s packed full of creative ideas to get you started.

Why are traditions and rituals important for children?

Cox highlights many reasons that rituals are so fundamental for children, but here are three reasons that I think are particularly important.

1. Structure
As a mom to a three month old, I have already learned that structure is crucial to everyone getting a good night’s sleep at our house. My daughter has the same bedtime routine at the same time every night. She squeals with delight each night as soon as I start running the water for her bath because she knows that in a few minutes she is going to be splashing around in the water.

Remember, traditions and rituals are not just for the holidays. In this book, you’ll also find great ideas for daily rituals, meal times, bedtimes, monthly rituals like family movie nights and more.

2. Predictability
I love having things to celebrate all year long. I love spring flowers, Fourth of July fireworks, summer barbeques and holiday baking. I loved that my grandma’s cinnamon rolls, sugar cookies and mashed potatoes always tasted exactly the same year after year.

Whether its taco night Tuesdays, kid’s choice dinners or a weekly date with dad, children loved to look forward to fun events and celebrations.

3. Uniqueness/Sense of Belonging

Rituals and traditions are unique to each family, make your children feel special, strengthen family bonds and create long lasting memories your after year.


You can learn more about Meg by visiting her website and her book can be purchased here on Amazon.