I have a routine with my kids each night. It started as something simple and has turned into something we all look forward to very much. When Parker was little, I was trying to find a simple way to help him remember what he’d done during the day while feeling grateful about his life. One night, I asked him what his favorite part of the day was. I was surprised at the small detail that stood out to him.
The following night when I tucked him in, he prompted me by saying, “Aren’t you going to ask me what my favorite part of the day is?” And the tradition was born.
I started the same thing with Anika when she started kindergarten. It’s a great way to find out things that the kids might not think about or remember to tell me otherwise. While the kids always tell me their favorite part of the day, it often opens up the conversation to other things: struggles they’ve had during the day, advice they need, reassurance they are seeking.
It ensures that we end each night with an intimate moment. It gives me a chance to make sure the kids know, every single day, how much I love them and how precious they are to me. Along the way, we have a moment to be grateful for the gifts of that day and never take for granted how lucky we are.
Great post thanks for sharing….
I love creating such family traditions as you’ve described Shadra. I also love your last name which I just discovered. We have much in common! Lol.
We have a similar tradition, but it’s once weekly. At every Friday night dinner, with our without guests, we go around the table and share the best and worst things that have happened to us in the previous week. The ONLY rule is that you’re only allowed ONE worst as we don’t want it to be a whining session.
This tradition has gone on for over a decade and it’s been a wonderful ice-breaker for dinner guests, gives our boys the opportunity to share the good (and the bad), but has had the enduring effect of helping to teach them to be grateful and focus on the good!
Bruce,
That’s a fabulous way to get conversation going with the kids and give them the opportunity to get something off their chest while focusing on the positive!! Great tradition!