Just like families come in all shapes and sizes, so do family reunions. A family reunion is the coming together of an extended family in an intentional way. It is to celebrate and be together and this will look different. Moreover, depending on the family, their culture and traditions as well as their circumstances.
Some families gather with their extended families once a year. More often, celebrating a special date such as Thanksgiving or Christmas. Further, family gathering events are often large and involve a lot of planning especially if family members travel from interstate or overseas.
On the other hand, small families come together in a small, intimate gathering on a more regular basis such as weekly dinners or on birthdays.
Whether your family goes all out and books family reunion accommodation in some epic location. Or, your family gets together at your grandparent’s home. The coming together of family members enables shared experiences and memories. Moreover, a chance for improvement, healing in relationships, and a whole lot of fun for everyone involved.
This article looks at the benefits that your kids will receive from family reunions, in whatever shape or size your family gathering.
What Will Your Kids Gain From A Family Reunion?
Being part of the coming together of an extended family is a vital experience for kids. Moreover, shaping a child’s identity and connectedness to their family and your family’s culture.
In addition, many lessons are learned about belonging, relationships and identity from watching the way relatives interact. Further, listening to stories and celebrating your culture in traditions and rituals will have a big impact on kids.
1. Learn From Elders About History And Their Experiences
Through this family gathering, kids would have a unique opportunity to learn from the elders in the family.
During a family reunion, the elders in the family, often grandparents, will share a wealth of knowledge. Sometimes unknowingly through the stories, they share about their experiences growing up, their families, and their culture.
As a result, children will have the opportunity to develop their sense of connectedness to their culture and loved ones. Moreover, your child develops through understanding their elders.
2. Through Family Reunion, Kids Will Feel Part Of A Family Culture
Each family has a unique family culture. This being shaped by societal and ethnic backgrounds. When a family comes together it is their chance to celebrate this shared culture.
Family traditions are often celebrated during family reunions.
For example, the tradition of a big feast together at Thanksgiving. You are sharing what you’re grateful for, which is a simple tradition that promotes gratitude.
Whilst other families come together for a beach holiday at the same place each year. They enjoy a relaxing few days, with the focus on being present together.
When traditions and rituals are being modeled, a child will witness the family’s sense of shared belonging and understanding.
3. Catch Up On And Celebrate Events And Milestones In Relative’s Lives
As a parent, your life becomes very busy and time passes by in the blink of an eye. Where it is hard to find the time to catch up with all your family members.
Therefore, family reunions are a great opportunity to catch up on the events of loved ones. And as well as to celebrate your own.
Your child will be able to feel a sense of pride in their family identity. Moreover, have a stronger sense of connectedness as they share and celebrate events of their lives.
Also celebrate events of their siblings, cousins, uncles, and aunts, and grandparents as well.
4. Strengthen Their Sense Of Identity
Through a family reunion, a sense of identity is greatly shaped by the family environment. Kids will know the identity of their grandparents, parents, and other family members.
As a result, children will have a deeper understanding of who they are, where they come from, and their vital role as part of the extended family.
As your child grows into a young adult, it may also be a protective factor to have a sense of connectedness to other trusted adults.
Further, your child may be able to relate with and trust other members of your family.
This will develop another safety net for your child as they go through their adolescent years.
Conclusion
The strength and bond in a family are vital in a child’s development of identity and sense of belonging.
Family reunions are an opportunity to help your child feel part of family culture. Moreover, develop their understanding of family traditions, and will ultimately enable a child to feel a sense of belonging with your family.
Whether your family comes together in a big annual event or in a smaller, more regular way, the coming together of a family is an important part of supporting a child to develop a healthy sense of identity and belonging.
Hope this article gave you an idea of how important a family gathering like a family reunion is to your child’s development. If you want to read more informative articles, check this out; Positive Parenting Tips For Healthy Child Development, Teach Kids About The Real Meaning Of Christmas, and How to Get Great Pictures of the Kids (Even When They’re Uncooperative)
My name is Andrea Thompson and I’m a home based freelance writer. I’m 23 years old, married to my best friend, and mother to a wonderfully independent and opinionated 3 year old girl and step-mother to a sweet seven year old boy. I live in a tiny, little town in Kentucky, where I spend my free time fishing with my kids.
Writing has always been my passion, which I followed through high school, and for a while in college. Life happened, and once I discovered we were pregnant, I switched directions; opting for the healthcare industry because of the stability.
Finally, years later, I was in a place where I could leave the day job that never truly made me happy, and pursue my dreams. I’ve built, and am still building, my writing career from scratch. But, I’m passionate and I’m good at what I do. And, in the end, I can prove to my daughter that she can do anything she wants with this life.
