Free The Book of New Family Traditions by Meg Cox

the bus that first day, they get this special book,” says Kim. “And the best part is that I write a mushy letter to them and place it on the back cover. I find them re-reading these books every now and again, though they are now eleven years old, nine, and seven.”

    Celebrating Back -to- School Days
    Even for older kids, the first day of a new school year is a big deal. Thoughtfully celebrating these days is one way to convey a sense that learning is a joy.
    Think Harry Potter
    Muggles don’t get school supplies as nifty as pet owls and magic wands, but make your school shopping into a fun outing including lunch, and let your kids pick as many items as possible, even if their taste appalls you. Harry loves going back to Hogwarts partly because he had such memorable experiences there, so on the night before school starts, go around the table and talk about the most memorable events from the previous school year. Talk about the school play, a favorite teacher, the science experiment that blew up. The Giehl family of Colorado has a feast in the dining room on the night before and each kid receives a school-related present, such as a fancy pencil box or a globe.
    First Week of School
    Erica Rawson, a mother of four in New Mexico, plans and cooks elaborate breakfasts for the whole first week of school. Her menus include pancakes, burritos, and the kids’ favorite, Breakfast Lasagna, in which the layers that are usually pasta are items like waffles and pound cake, the filling is berries and custard. Like many families, the kids pose for a first-day photo, but Erica got the brilliant idea of having her kids each hold up a handmade sign declaring which year of school they are about to enter.
    Front-Step Photos
    Many parents take photos of their kids dressed up in new clothes, carrying new backpacks and lunchboxes, but posed in the same spot on the front steps. It’s wonderful to look at these photos over the years, and maybe even combine them in one collage.
    Sweet Beginning
    On the first day of a new school year, Pam Skripak serves her kids homemade hot apple pie and ice cream for breakfast. Yum. (They get this on the last day of the year as well.)

    Pep Talk in Chalk
    In Maryland, Kunni Biener used to wake up extra early on the first day, so she could write messages to her daughters on the sidewalk that led to their school. They giggled as they walked along reading “Good Luck!” and “Have Fun!” and when they reached high school, they started writing messages to each other in the street on the first day.
    Bus-Stop Party
    Gail Spencer always starts out the year by providing juice and bagels to the ten or so kids who wait at the bus stop with her kids.
    Drop-Off Blessing
    Cheryl Maner started doing this when her son had to adjust to a first-grade teacher who was a good educator, but not cuddly like the kindergarten teacher. There were a few behavior issues, and she thought a ritual like this would help focus him: “May God bless you, may He smile his shining face on you, may He guide you and direct you in everything you do today [and she would insert particulars like ”including the spelling test“], and most of all, may God give you peace.” Her son, Parker, usually joins in and says, “Peace,” at the end.

    Rewarding Good Work
    Basically, I agree with Alfie Kohn, author of Punished by Rewards: The Trouble with Gold Stars, Incentive Plans, A’s, Praise, and Other Bribes, that it’s better (and more effective) to instill a love of learning than to try bribing a kid to succeed. Here are some rituals I think offer positive encouragement.
    Report Card Dinners
    The Suttons of Casper, Wyoming, don’t eat out that often, but they have a ritual of a restaurant dinner for the whole family every time report cards come out. “They mostly get straight A’s, but we have the dinners no matter what,” says Mary Sutton. “We feel it’s important to reward the effort.” Even more important, she says, she and her husband