Sometimes it’s hard to differentiate between a family ritual and a daily routine. Rituals symbolically communicate “who we are,” providing a connection between generations. A daily routine, on the other hand, is “what needs to be done.”
For example, bathing at 7 p.m. and going to bed at 8:30 every day are part of a daily routine. But when you add something personal to a routine—a special song, a kiss, a handshake—you turn a routine into a ritual.
Why Rituals Are So Important
Family rituals allow family members to slow down and reconnect. A 50-year study of family rituals published in the Journal of the American Psychological Association (APA) found that they provide a sense of stability and are associated with adolescent identity development, children’s health, academic achievement, and family satisfaction.
Maintaining family rituals even during transitional periods, such as divorce, reduces conflict and helps children adapt to change.