We try to, but I recently have found myself feeling like we're falling short there. What do you do?

Tradition is what you make your definition of it to be. It can be a holiday, a religion, a culture, a language, etc.

I'm not sure if it is only Americans that are tradition "less". Sure America is touted as the melting pot, and I love the diversity of our nation! But the whole world is fast approaching blended cultures.

When I lived in Europe, I was surprised at how many cultures and ethnicities were abound every where. Living in Ireland isn't always going to mean you are of Irish decent anymore. Travel and Immigration has affected the world as a whole. America is not the only melting pot, the whole world is now.

I saw a picture in National Geographic a couple of years ago of this remote Vietnamese village and they had a picture of Britney Spears hanging up. Ideas, traditions, and beliefs are melding and changing everywhere.

With air travel, internet, phone service, how could it not?

My first language is English. I wish very much that I had another language to teach my children.

I run into moms that can speak Korean, Spanish, German, etc. and they will not teach it to their children.

I wonder if these moms feel like they are doing their child a disservice and could confuse their child or have the thoughts their child may not "blend in" as much as an only English speaking child?

Every mom is entitled to her opinion, but I feel a child with dual or multiple languages is ahead of the game!

Traditions for us are usually based around a Christian calendar. We celebrate Easter and with this we dye, hunt, and hide eggs, and Christmas we of course do a Christmas tree and lights, etc. These are traditions.

Of course we do 4th of July celebrations! That is the epitome of American traditionalism.

My husband is of predominate Irish decent and so we have a good time at St. Patrick’s day, which traditionally in itself is Catholic. We are not Catholic though.


I think traditions can be family gestures as well. In my blog now, I discuss a nightly tradition of wrapping Ryan in a towel and I sing him a song. My Dad did this for me as a child, and it meant a lot to me. I do this for my children and I hope they will for their children. That is just one example of many traditions at our house.

Shawn, btw, your bedtime bath towel tradition is sweet I hope that your children carry it on!

I've really enjoyed reading your posts. I hope more of our Moms find this discussion...

American, I created a lullaby song for my daughter and started singing it to her while still in the womb and I sing it every night. She is starting now to sing it with me...it's so cute. I think is it so wonderful that you created a special song for each child. If I have another I will have to "steal" that one from you.

Shawn, I have a similiar "towel" tradition. Vegas's favorite towel is her hooded Nemo towel and after I wrap her up she makes me (EVERY TIME) take her to large mirror so we can talk about her and she can make fishy faces at the mirror. The funny thing is when we have to use her Princess towel she never wants to go look.

My husband has even told me that reading "The Night Before Christmas" is Daddy's tradition and I am not allowed to infringe on that.

Family traditions are very important and I think children really appreciate them. I know us Moms do, don't we?