Ages and Stages

Ages 11-18: Time Together

Although your teenage children may complain that they would rather be spending time with their friends than hanging around with the family during the holidays, your children are most likely enjoying the fact that they have some dedicated time with you. The traditions that you established when your children were younger are now paying off. But this doesn’t mean that you can stop being firm about the importance of cultural traditions and can stop insisting that all family members participate. Your teenagers are old enough to understand this yet still need your guidance to stick with rituals.
As with younger children, find ways in which your older children can particpate directly in the festivities. Your children are at a stage where they might truly enjoy the associations of certain traditions with your native culture. Explain to them what the holiday was like for you as a child in your home country. Talk about all aspects: the smells, the community, the voices and music, the temperature in the air. Your children are most likely very excited to learn more about your childhood as well as the origin of their family’s cultural traditions.

A wonderful way to share across cultures is to have your family put together an end-of-the-year family letter or newsletter to send to extended family and friends. You can outline what each family member was up to during the year and can include overall family highlights. Make sure to have the family create one in each language so that it can be sent to family members on both sides. Cultural aspects from both cultures can be highlighted so that families on both sides can share in the mixture of your family’s cultures. Make sure your children participate in this activity! It will not only help their language skills, it will keep them reminded of family members in other countries. At the very least, share holiday photos and stories with family abroad via the internet. The best way for families abroad to keep up with changes is through photos and the sharing of stories and anecodtes. Remember that spending quality time together as a family will have the most positive, long-term impact on your children.

Ages 0-2: Figuring It Out

Ages 3-5: Establishing Rituals

Ages 6-10: Staying the Course

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