There's probably nothing special about the special little moments we share with our little boy in my family. For every family hug and kiss we have before bedtime, you probably have a silly dance or song you must play when stuck in traffic in the minivan. For every turn we have in the hide-the-bobble-head-around-the-house game (no really, it's kid-friendly, I swear), you have your Friday night TPing of the in-laws' house or Bugaboo-in at the park down the street. Families, especially those with parents who get that their little ones love schedules and special attention that doesn't compete with an iPhone or Idol, have rituals. Rituals are good. Rituals are soothing. Rituals break the monotony of the fact that you are simultaneously changing the fifth poopsplosion diaper of the day or making turkey roll-ups for dinner. Again.
If your family's lacking rituals, the New Homemaker's got some tips on how to incorporate them into your daily, weekly or annual life with your kids (which you are welcome to read while cringing along with me over the name of the site). The ideas aren't anything revolutionary -- they range from things like singing "Born in the USA" on the 4th of July to having indoor picnics on the living room floor -- but we all know those no-cost, simple moments can really let your kids (and mostly, you) geek out to your family's geekiest desire.
And while you're rolling your eyes at the thought of instituting a Chutes & Ladders night with screaming kids, take a moment for the reality check: You might spend thousands and thousands of dollars toting your tots to Disneyland or buying a deluxe swing set for backyard fun, but your kids will inevitably look back fondly on their favorite toy, the cardboard box, and their favorite childhood memory, eating off the fancy birthday plate you picked up at a garage sale for a quarter.
