THE NECESSARY RITUALS
So yes, the concept of ritual is an essential part of learning about life. Child psychiatrists and pediatricians will never tell us enough: LIVE THE RITUALS OF EARLY CHILDHOOD! The most obvious ritual that comes to mind is going to bed. Do you have a little doubt about its importance? So to give you a more precise idea, I invite you, this evening, not to read a story to your little one. Better yet, I suggest you read him his favorite book by changing the course of the story: Pinocchio is woken up by a charming prince or the 3 little pigs eat the wolf on the barbecue (Mouhahahaha = demonic laughter). You understood ?
Rituals are necessary for the balance and well-being of our grandchildren. Routine reassures and comforts. It even structures!
RITUALS (Much) LESS NECESSARY
But then, when can we consider that this famous benevolent routine insidiously transforms into a nasty disorder? The mood quickly rises as we take the unfortunate initiative of changing the color of the spoon. Or again, that we question the order in which we must put on our clothes: some stubbornly thinking that the briefs are put on after the pants (little future Brittney Spears in the making, by the way) .
Why do I have to plan a higher than average time slot to plan to leave school on time?? To tell you the truth, these rituals scare me a little... how to keep control of "good routines" and avoid maintaining those which become futile and inflexible constraints.
CHILDREN’S RITUALS: PARENTS’ BEST FRIENDS?
Calm down. I immediately adopt my super-mom-psycho-philosopher-for-happy-kids posture. I decide to see in these famous rituals intended for our little ones some sort of fundamental benchmarks for us parents. Even if a bunch of them don't really seem essential to us, we could value them differently. We could consider them the best parenting aids, right? In a way they are, for us too, benchmarks. Number of times when, without thinking, we go through the “bath-pajamas-dinner-bedtime” or even the “night light-story-kiss-song-kiss-goodnight”. To meditate.
To you mothers! I'm listening to you. What are the rituals like at your house!?
Beautiful evening.
M
PS: Spring is finally coming! As the desire to get some fresh air is growing, we do not hesitate to keep baby in a temperate and soft setting with the diaper thanks to the swaddle!
