The Rise of Traditions

I can remember when I was carrying Grace feeling a twinge of worry. There is something in everyone that wants to leave a legacy for their children. And it helps to have part of the legacy started in the form of traditions. My problem was that I couldn't think of any traditions my family had that I could pass on.

It has been almost six years now, and we are beginning to see traditions arise in the house. Brace yourself as these are not your classic traditions, but they are traditions in the sense that if you ever didn't do them, it would be a form of punishment. I have only a couple that I can think of, but more I'm sure will come to mind later:

Tickle Hugs: I can't even recall how this tradition started. Obviously hugs that turned into tickle fights. But these are a requirement now before putting the kids to bed. And there are rules to tickle hugs. You get only one at nap time, two tickle hugs at night time (AFTER prayers), three tickle hugs on Christmas, and four tickle hugs on Easter.

Prayers: The kids may only say The Lord's Prayer on Thursday and Sunday nights. All other nights need to be personal or special prayers. This tradition was instituted since we noticed that the children started saying The Lord's Prayer every night as their choice of prayer because it required little thought. The rule worked too. It took a couple of weeks for the children to actually remember how to pray, but their personal prayers became much more meaningful again.

Now the problem with our 2 traditions is that they are juxtaposed. So when the kids are praying you get something like this:

"...and thank you for the library, and going to the pool. You are my hero. And I love you. In Jeeee....sssuussss....naaaaameee"(child is tensing up to bolt across the bed)".....AMEN!!!" (shouted with a flurry of legs and arms trying desperately to get out of reach before the first tickle hug).