New Year, New Celebrations
Yep, that's me on the far left!
Christmas is behind us and a new year approaches. It’s actually good there’s a double holiday with Christmas and New Year because with the huge build up to Christmas, there could be a potential period of depression or sadness after Christmas. No more family to hang out with. No more gifts. No more special treatment. But a week later along comes New Year’s and another reason to celebrate. Americans enjoy spending Christmas together as a family so that removes the potential let down as well.
During this together time, not only are we receiving tangible gifts but we also receive the gift of family togetherness and love. Imagine how peaceful our lives would be if these feelings remained all year. So let’s think about how we can re-gain this magical feeling thoughout the year for yourself and your kids.
There are birthdays; a special day celebrating life. A perfect time to gather the family around. I’m a stickler for celebrating on my actual birthday, not when it’s convenient for everyone else. Who says you can’t have a party on a Wednesday? And if you’re the one having a birthday, don’t wait for someone else to plan your special day – start thinking about who makes you happiest and invite them to whatever you want to do on your day! Go out and have an ice cream sundae party with your best friends if your family is too busy. Or plan a get away to an art museum or follow my lead and invite friends to go to the beach with you for a couple of days. Have a great day your way!
There are the other holidays which generally pull families together: Thanksgiving, Mother’s and Father’s Days, Easter, and maybe the 4th of July. For some lucky families there are family reunions. But once the grandparents die, reunions tend to fizzle away. I remember growing up we had huge family reunions on my mother’s side of the family every summer. Of course I dreaded the thought of going as I got older (adolescent age) but now I miss them as an adult. I have many cousins but do not even know them anymore. Nor do I know their kids and I’m sure they have great kids. Aunts and uncles are dying as well. I know this is all part of the grand plan of life, but don’t you just want to sop the merry-go-round and spend quality time with your family?
I thought so. Make a plan (not a resolution per se) for the new year to spend more time together as a family. That encourages deepening relationships and builds healthy psyches. If your kid doesn’t want to participate, too bad, they’ve got to. They’ll appreciate it later.
And I’m not just preaching here because I plan on having a big family reunion this spring, even if I have to plan it!
Happy Togetherness in the New Year!
Carolyn Zahnow
Author, “Save the Teens: Preventing suicide, depression and addiction”
To purchase, visit www.save-the-teens.com
