Agnostic Mom

Although many religionists assume that secularism leads to nihilism, the opposite is true in most cases. Most of us who don’t believe in religion, or even in gods or an afterlife, for that matter, find great meaning in the short existence that we have. As soon as our children are old enough to be able to conceptualize, we can infuse holidays with meaning.

If I can make it past Trinity’s birthday party today without needing a nap afterward, this is what I plan on doing with my kids, before we start the party (party, as in: Israel and I are getting old and can’t stay up past ten anymore, so we will play games with the kids, and go to bed like any other night):

1. Look through the scrapbook from the previous year with each child.
2. Ask the following questions:
What did you do this year that you are proud of?
What is your funnest memory?
What did you try that was new?
3. Write down the answers for their scrapbooks.
4. Ask: “What would you like to try or improve for the coming year?”
5. Write it on a piece of paper, and tell the child that you are stashing it away until Easter. Easter, a holiday about new life and rebirth, is a great time to review the goal and check on the progress.

I thought I’d share it in case any parents out there are looking for some ideas on involving their kids and adding meaning to a holiday that usually focuses on partying adults. I like my adult parties, but since this day is also my daughter’s birthday, it’s hard to justify not being with her.