Day 110 - Considering teenagers and the need for family rituals

Well, it's a very cold Thursday and I really, really want to just go back to bed. I've had two cups of coffee, two slices of bread and cheese, and three cookies. It's 11am and the rain is coming. I've cancelled the almost-teen's birthday party booking at a local pottery studio because I am concerned about public spaces, only to get a sms from them telling me that they are closing indefinitely. Sadness. Now to restructure a birthday under pandemic conditions.

In this null space I am taking a few moments to read a book by a local high school principal on raising and surviving teens. And one of the things he talks about is the importance of family rituals. So now I am reviewing and rebranding our rituals:

• Morning cuddles and coffee (for parents) before getting up
• Screen-free Friday days followed by Burger/Pizza Night and a series
• Family movie night Saturdays
• Sunday Lunch with proper pudding
• Sunday night Scrambled Egg on toast followed by Milo & Marshmallows
• Birthdays: pancake & presents for breakfast, cupcakes for school, pizza for supper 

Other less regular happenings are Cycle/Run with Dad. Family Walk.  And we try to have Family weekend aways and camping every 6 weeks or so. I'm wondering what new rituals we should create and develop to take us into the teen years. 

Maybe a night away with Mom or Dad camping when they hit their teens? Or snow chasing missions?

I guess we have rituals sorted? Including the one where I get asked "mom, do you know where xxx is?" at least five times a day.