One of my happiness resolutions for myself is to "Share and Create Family Traditions." I find that when I look back on the past year, some of my happiest times have been when sharing in family traditions. So, I'm trying to be sure I take advantage of each holiday and each special time that comes along during the year, to boost my (and my family's) happiness.
It's not always easy. There have been years when I've been too busy to put up a Christmas Tree, or when I've gone to 3 different stores and all of them have been out of pumpkins to carve for Halloween, or when I've had to work on holidays. But, I'm trying, and enjoying the benefits. Take the first ever Halloween costume party we threw this year. It made me really happy to dress up and just be silly for a day.
Or my daughter's 3 birthday celebrations (one at home, one at school, one with the extended family while we visited them in Georgia). (OK, maybe I'm overdoing it a little bit!) Or putting up the Christmas tree with my daughter, and getting to share the excitement of making something beautiful together.
What traditions do you cherish the most with your family? Are there any that you could do without?
By the way, this time of year, there are usually quite a few cool ways for families with children with disabilities to participate in holiday traditions in nonjudgmental environments.
ReplyDeleteA mall in Maryland has decided to host a special time for children with autism to visit with Santa before the mall opens, with the lights dimmed and quieter music.
Here's the link:
http://www.sfexaminer.com/local/ap/md-mall-plans-santa-event-for-autistic-children-78596582.html
And lots of towns offer visits with Santa through the local early intervention program.
In Durham, NC, it's hosted by the Family Support Network:
Cookies and Cocoa with Santa
for Children with Special Needs
and Their Families
Saturday, December 12, 2009
1:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Grey Stone Baptist Church,
2601 Hillsborough Rd. Durham
And in Athens, GA, there is usually a cool holiday party thrown by the early intervention program and the Northeast Georgia Coalition for Babies Can't Wait and 5's too Late, where children can come visit with Santa and receive a small gift, as well.