FamilyCrossings Blog

Family Traditions

My family always had traditions when I was growing up. Every Christmas eve was spent at my great grandparents’ house. The entire family – great grandparents, grandparents, parents, uncles, aunts, cousins – would gather at my great grandpa’s and grandma’s and we’d open gifts and laugh and spend the evening together as a big family. Once my great grandparents passed away that tradition passed on to my grandma and grandpa, and we’d all congregate there.
Christmas morning was spent at our house where we got up and “had to eat breakfast first” before opening presents. Then we’d get ready, trying to somehow incorporate everything we’d received as gifts into our outfit somehow so we could take it to my other grandparents’ house (my mom’s mom and dad), which is where we went next. Again, the entire family, aunts and uncles and cousins too, would gather there and spend the day together, opening gifts and eating and laughing.
Easter was always spent at my house where my mom would fix this huge Easter feast, and both sides of my family (mom’s and dad’s) would come. We’d spend the day eating and playing and finding Easter eggs. After hunting eggs my sister and my cousins and I would always sit on the picnic table and count our eggs and eat some of them. One year I remember we tried cracking them open by slamming them into our foreheads. Pain!
New Year’s night was spent at my grandparents’ house. We’d all bring something to trade. One year I traded something, I forget what exactly but I think it was a pocket knife, for a bottle of hairspray from my aunt, which I discovered wouldn’t spray. I was so disappointed! I’d try to stay up every year until midnight, though I’m not sure if I ever succeeded. I must have because I remember one year being awake to hear my uncles shoot off guns, which is what the grown-ups did to bring in the new year.
Traditions don’t have to be something big to be remembered and enjoyed. I remember sitting outside in the dark on the picnic table with my cousins and Grandpa while he told us scary stories before bed. Usually it involved a witch who ate off kids’ toes. Grandpa even had this spooky witch laugh he did. I still can’t sleep at night with my toes uncovered, and if I wake up in the middle of the night to discover my feet out from under the blanket I promptly pull them back in to safety.
Every year my grandma always called my sister and me when she heard the first whippoorwill call. I think that meant summer was here, and we could go barefoot now. I love to go barefoot, now as much as then, which is why I always had bee stings all over my feet then and dirt all over my feet now.
Birthdays were special times because the day was all about us. Grandparents and aunts and uncles would call on the phone all day long to sing “Happy Birthday”. I still miss my grandma and grandpa calling every year on my birthday now that they’ve both passed away and now that my other grandma can no longer remember that it’s my birthday. Mom always fixed us whatever kind of cake we wanted for our birthdays.

She made these big fancily-decorated cakes for us when we were kids (I have photos), but as we got older my sister always requested cherry cheesecake and I wanted angel food cake with strawberries and whipped cream, year after year.
These are just some of the many traditions we had in my family. Now that I’m an adult and I have a family of my own I’ve tried to continue many of these traditions while adding in a few of my own. We still spend Christmas eve with my dad’s family, and we still have to eat breakfast every year at mom and dad’s house before we can open presents (the torment!).

Christmas day is always spent at my mom’s parents’ house. Many things haven’t changed, and I’m glad.
Birthdays here at my house are always big deals. I decorate the dining room and often the living room with streamers and balloons everywhere. I have a big “Happy Birthday” sign that I put up. The kids fully expect all of these things and would be disappointed if they awoke on their birthdays to find that I hadn’t done them. The first thing they do when they wake up on their birthday is to run into the dining room and living room to see my decorations and all the presents piled up in the exact spot that they’ve been in every year on a birthday.
Everyone, hubby included, gets to pick out a cake they want and I make it for them, which is why I’ve made everything from a Care Bear cake and Pokemon to Batman and Transformers, and nearly everything in between.

Every year hubby requests a pineapple upside-down cake. Everyone always gets to pick out a birthday meal too. Sometimes it’s as simple as some chicken nuggets and French fries, while others it’s a feast of fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, and biscuits. Whatever it is, I lovingly prepare it, because not only is it my way of showing them I love them but it’s my way of making sure they have traditions they can carry on themselves one day.

Family Vacations With Teenagers

Are you planning a vacation this year? Have teenagers? Well we have some tips for you. Being the parent of teenagers is often a difficult time, however it doesn’t last forever and believe it or not your teenager really does love you! FamilyCrossings.com all about families, even those moody teens!

Vacationing with a teenager can be difficult, especially if you aren’t sure where to take them. During the summer, teenagers prefer to be with their friends, so taking time away for a family vacation can sometimes be a hassle. When planning a family vacation when you have teenagers, try to find places that are interesting, fun, and relaxing.

Amusement parks, cruises, and sightseeing tours can be a fun way for everyone to have a great time while on vacation. Before booking a vacation, talk to your children to get a better idea of what they would like to do. This will help in your decision making process.

Giving your teenagers some free time while on vacation to be by themselves or to hang out with new friends they may have met is a good idea and a way to maintain peace during a vacation. Make sure you know where your children will be and set a curfew so they can be back within a certain amount of time.

You will be able to enjoy activities that you want to participate in while they are away. When on a family vacation, it is important to spend time together, but it is also important to have a little alone time as well.

Letting your teenager to bring a friend along for the trip is another way for your teenager to have a good time. While some teenagers will want to explore new places with you, others won’t. You should not take it personally. Trying to find activities that everyone will enjoy is difficult at times, but with enough patience and trying out different activities, you will find some common ground. Being able to spend time together as a family is a great way to bond and share the same experiences. You will not regret going on these family vacations.

Keep in mind that the teenage phase is a short one and once they have past the phase, they will want to spend more time with you when on vacation. Also, don’t assume your teenager doesn’t want to spend time with you. Many teenagers would rather spend time with their parents than meet new people.

Depending on the type of vacation you will be going on, you should be prepared to spend a few days together doing activities that everyone will enjoy. Even if this means spending time at the beach or at an amusement park, it is time well spent.

Vacationing with teenagers can save you money, however. Because many resorts want to attract families to stay, they will offer discounts to those who have children under a certain age. This means that you may save money on food, room, and amusement park tickets. Ask the resort before booking the trip to see if you will qualify for any discounts.

This could keep the cost of your vacation down, which is enough to put anyone in a good mood.

Summer Picnics with FamilyCrossings.com

Summer vacation…the kids can’t wait for it to start—and parents dread its arrival. The first couple of weeks seem to take care of themselves, but after that, you may be faced with your kids looking at you with that “What can we do now, Mom?” look on their faces. At that first look, be ready: go on a picnic!

picnic_basket
Picnics are easy—and you don’t even have to go anywhere! A couple of beach towels thrown down on the grass in the backyard is as far as you have to go. Of course, if there is a local park handy, you can load up a couple of bike baskets and take your picnic there, don’t forget the picnic blanket. You can be a little bolder, and pack up the kids in the morning and set out for a half-day road adventure and go find someplace to picnic. No matter where you decide to picnic, make it fun, make it an adventure—and your kids will look forward to doing it again…and again!

Looking for Something to Do? Go On a Picnic!
Summer vacation…the kids can’t wait for it to start—and parents dread its arrival. The first couple of weeks seem to take care of themselves, but after that, you may be faced with your kids looking at you with that “What can we do now, Mom?” look on their faces. At that first look, be ready: go on a picnic!

Picnics are easy—and you don’t even have to go anywhere! A couple of beach towels thrown down on the grass in the backyard is as far as you have to go. Of course, if there is a local park handy, you can load up a couple of bike baskets and take your picnic there, don’t forget the picnic blanket. You can be a little bolder, and pack up the kids in the morning and set out for a half-day road adventure and go find someplace to picnic.

No matter where you decide to picnic, make it fun, make it an adventure—and your kids will look forward to doing it again…and again!

Keep Quick Picnic-Ready Snacks on Hand

You don’t have to preplan a picnic lunch, and you don’t have to make a special trip to the market if you keep a few of these things on hand:

• Peanut Butter and Jelly (the “old standby”)

• Pre-packaged lunch meats and cheeses (if left sealed, a package can sit in your frig for a week or more before you’ll need to use it)

• A package of hot dog buns in the freezer (they thaw out quickly and make easy-to-hold sandwiches)

• Single-serving-sized fruit cups, applesauce, pudding (I keep several in the frig, chilled and ready to go)

• Individual-sized bags/containers of chips, crackers, and cookies (keep a few hidden from the kids so that you always have a couple to throw in the picnic bag)

• 1-liter bottles of water and packets of drink mix like Kool-Aid or Crystal Lite

• Small bottles/jars of mustard, mayo, catsup, and relish (whatever you normally put on a sandwich)

This list just gets you started. Based on what you know your kids like and are willing to eat (without a fuss), you can also keep cans of tuna or chicken, containers of yogurt, blocks of cheese (for cheese and crackers), fresh fruits, granola bars, etc.

Next time you are in the market, take a moment to look at shelf items and think about how/whether those items could serve as the basis for an easy picnic lunch (or even breakfast or dinner!).

Think creatively! “Lunch” could be chocolate frosting smeared on graham crackers—it doesn’t necessarily have to be a nutritious meal, just a fun meal! (My mom’s favorite “surprise” picnic lunch was strawberry shortcake, and lots of it—although I do recognize that it took a little planning on her part.)

Have the Picnic Basics Ready
Regardless of what you’re going to throw together for lunch, you’re probably going to need a few picnic basics. If you have a picnic bag packed and ready to go, then actually going on a picnic, even if only as far as the backyard, means that all you have to do is pack the food.

In a sturdy canvas bag, plastic milk crate, or actual picnic basket, keep items such as the following supplies on hand:
• Paper plates and bowls, plastic utensils
• Napkins (or a roll of paper towels)
• Pre-moistened towelettes (wet wipes)
• Sharp knife, pair of scissors, can opener, bottle opener
• Salt and pepper
• Disposable towels (Handi-Wipes are great!)
• Sunscreen and bug spray
• Pencil and paper
• Travel-sized games, deck of cards, etc.

Items like paper plates and plastic utensils are self-explanatory, but the paper and pencil might just be the handiest thing you pack. As you go on your first few picnics, make a note of anything that you wished you’d had/meant to pack. You can accumulate items as you go. Do yourself a favor and buy the items specifically to leave in the picnic bag (and get accustomed to putting them right back into the picnic bag after you wash them).

You can also develop a short checklist of things that you need to remember to pack. Print the list and keep handy (this is especially helpful when you have to remember to get items out of the frig, or take medications, etc.). That way, if you are packing in a hurry for a spontaneous “Let’s go on a picnic, Mom!” day, you can grab the list and use it to help you remember to pack the needed items.

You can use an old blanket, a couple of beach towels, or my preferred picnic spread: an old mattress pad! I trimmed away the gauzy material and elastic that holds the pad to the mattress and left the nicely quilted pad itself. Another idea is to go to a place where you can rent moving trucks and buy a furniture pad/blanket—this makes a great picnic or beach blanket.

Using either the mattress pad or the furniture pad also makes it easier to shake out sand and brush off dirt. Both hold up well to multiple washings.

Plan Picnic Activities

There’s nothing wrong with just tossing a few snacks in a bag and heading out to the backyard just to have lunch! Everything tastes better when you eat it outside. However, you can make your impromptu picnic more enjoyable (and even educational) if you plan a few picnic activities. Why not keep your kids amused with Picnic Bingo?

Plan a “Shoestring Adventure”

If you’ll have the time to plan ahead and go on a one-day road adventure, think of someplace local and keep it a secret! You can even blindfold your passengers so they are surprised even if you only go to the local park!

Have fun this summer—get outside and enjoy spending a little time with your kids!

Be sure to use the calendar feature at Family Crossings.com

Grandma is online!!

Being a good grandparent is not something that one has to learn how to do. It comes from within. A bond between grandparent and grandchild is a special one that must be nurtured if it is to grow properly. Of course, there are many great things that can be done in order to maintain that bond. Grandparents will find that they often have to make it a point to get involved with grandchildren when it comes to things they are interested in doing. This can be overwhelming if you feel that the age difference makes this difficult. There are many great aspects of being a grandparent. From sharing interests to being a reliable source of comfort, grandparents play a large role in a child’s life.

It’s a good idea to organize a weekly get together online with your grandkids. Quality time together is seriously underrated these days. Make it a point to do something together, an activity you can both share. Set up a “virtual play date” online via play a friendly game or have dinner together while you catch up on recent events that your family members have posted. A designated time and date together will also help young kids to have an appreciation for their grandparents, something that is essential for kids to grow up with proper values.

Of course, there are many great things that can be done in order to maintain that bond. Grandparents will find that they often have to make it a point to get involved with grandchildren when it comes to things they are interested in doing.

This can be overwhelming if you feel that the age difference makes this difficult.

There are many great aspects of being a grandparent. From sharing interests to being a reliable source of comfort, grandparents play a large role in a child’s life.

It’s a good idea to organize a weekly get together online with your grandkids.

Quality time together is seriously underrated these days. Make it a point to do something together, an activity you can both share. Set up a “virtual play date” online via play a friendly game or have dinner together while you catch up on recent events that your family members have posted.

A designated time and date together will also help young kids to have an appreciation for their grandparents, something that is essential for kids to grow up with proper values. Even your teen grandchildren NEED you! With FamilyCrossings.com you can bond with your teenager! They are online anyway, why not share stories via the web of your childhood? Upload photos of when you were their age.

Share a live chat, and play an interactive game with your grandchild!

Why? Games are great to play together. It allows you to be interactive with your grandchildren rather than simply trying to make small talk.

Other interactive things that are great are movies or even a visit to a museum or other interesting type of event. Learning together eliminates restrictions imposed by the age difference.

When you are both learning something new together, the fun you have is increased.

Doing something special together is essential for building that bond with your grandchildren. Attending church together can be really special for the family that places importance in this. By building your values together, they will learn from you as they are learning to respect you.

As your relationship builds and your virtual dates become more routine, why not build your family tree? This is also an option at FamilyCrossings! try it for FREE today!

Family and Social Media

While several years passed, Boomers began exploring the various “Search” options on the net and learned that nearly anything they wanted to know was available on some website or another.

The internet was always thought to be the exclusive domain of the young. Then, the older age groups discovered that e-mailing family and friends was easier and more cost effective than sending a fax or using “snail mail”. While several years passed, Boomers began exploring the various “Search” options on the net and learned that nearly anything they wanted to know was available on some website or another.

Then came Social Media. Once again, the older group considered it to be a tool for the younger generation. After all, didn’t they already have a hard time keeping up with the activities of their existing friends and family?

Sites like FaceBook and MySpace began appearing in news headlines pointing out potential dangers when teen-agers had unsupervised access to the internet. That caught the attention of the parents who began signing up to the Social networking sites in record numbers. They wanted to know what their kids were posting for the world to see.

As they were keeping an eye on their kids, the Boomers discovered other like-minded people on the sites and began “friending” each other. Some sought advice while others shared experiences. Raising teen-agers was a daunting task and knowing you were not alone and didn’t have all the answers, fueled these relationships. Raising children was not the only issue the Boomers were experiencing.

Many had aging parents, health issues, financial or career difficulties. Finding other Boomers with whom to share the burden, made coping a little easier. Some of these “friends” who had never met face to face became real friends over time. Some of them eventually ended up meeting and continuing the relationship for years.

Although privacy was always held dear to most people brought up before the 70’s, this new style networking is quickly catching on. Women in particular enjoy the connections they establish with other women.

They don’t necessarily develop the same inter-action with their family or existing friends because their interests might differ. As Baby-Boomer women age, they tend to have more time to pursue hobbies that eluded them during their child rearing years. Social networking helps them discover new interests or take up those left behind before life became too busy. The CURE? Social media for your family at FamilyCrossings.com