Tradition Continues

I started this yummy tradition when my oldest daughter started kindergarten. A year or two before she even entered school, I had been inspired by this idea and decided I too wanted to eat cookies with my kids.

This is the story that inspired me: In some women's magazine, I read about a young woman who was graduating from college and she described this powerful bonding experience she had with her mother. Every year, her mother baked cookies on the first day of school and when she got home, they would sit at the kitchen table and eat cookies and talk about her first day of school. This happened even in high school. When the girl graduated high school and went away to college, her mother sent her cookies so that on her first day of school they could eat cookies and talk on the phone about her day. The young woman went on to describe how much of an impact this tradition and the bonding and sharing communication had on her life and how much it meant to her to have this tradition. I decided that I wanted to have that with my kids and I've done it now for 8 years.

It was definitely easier when they were littler and I didn't work outside the home, but I still make it a priority. Every year, I take a half day of vacation, so that I can meet the school bus with a plate of warm cookies, a glass of cold milk and time for my kids to tell me about the start of their learning adventure for the year. I love hearing about all their friends, their teachers, the subjects they love and dread, and all the dramas that arise each year and most of all the excitement and anticipation of the bright, shiny new school year that has just been unwrapped. I've found these talks help set the tone for the year. My kids know that they and their education are a priority for me. They know they can come to me and I am a safe person who will listen to them complain about whatever, cheer them when they excel, or offer advice if needed / wanted and generally 'be there' for them.

This year was a little bitter sweet. My oldest is starting middle school this year as a 7th grader. Since she made the soccer team, she didn't come home on the bus with her siblings because she had practice til 5pm. I missed having our cookie time like we usually do. Luckily, we had a little cookie time later - I brought her cookies and rubbed her sore back muscles while we chatted. (They sometimes cramp for days without releasing which causes nerve problems because they torque her spine out of alignment.) Although not ideal, at least I got to connect with each of my kids with some cookie time.