Dr. Greene
The Power of Rituals
Rituals ground us and provide a framework for meaning in our lives, explains Dr. Alan Greene, our resident pediatrician and the co-founder of Bambini Furtuna. Here he shares how to incorporate them into family life.
- Written By
- Dr. Alan Greene
What exactly is a ritual, and why are they so powerful
for children?
Rituals are repetitive actions that are timed either with the calendar, like the ritual of having cake on one’s birthday, or timed with an activity, like the ritual of a warm
bath before bed.
Rituals have been part of the human story since the beginning of recorded history. They ground us and give our lives a meaningful framework. This is especially important for children.
What is an appropriate age to start incorporating rituals into your family’s routine?
I love adding rituals to a baby’s life while they are inside their mother’s belly. Singing, belly massage, talking to them, and even eating healthy foods can be a powerful ritual that helps baby more easily adjust to the outside world.
Once they’re born, using rituals to signal it’s time to calm and go to sleep can be an important part of helping babies, who often have days and nights confused,
adjust to family life.
At what times during the day, week, or year is it beneficial to have rituals in your family life? What are some of your favorites?
Some of my favorite rituals are great big celebration rituals around birthdays and holidays. I have four children and we celebrate each of their birthdays, but certain ages have special meaning. When each child turned 12,
I took them on a trip
We also celebrate other holidays with our own rituals. The important thing is to make it something your kids can count on and something that works for your family.
We have weekly and daily family rituals, too. While the kids were growing up, we had sit-down family breakfast most mornings before school. And on the weekends we had an elaborate brunch where we routinely spent a couple of hours around the table getting thoroughly caught up.
I also love greeting and goodbye rituals, either with a special catch phrase or physical touch. These moments of transition are a great time to say “I see you. I know you. You are special to me.” Every child benefits from the security of positive family rituals. It gives them something to look forward to and to count on.
How can rituals help children regulate their emotions and families stay grounded, particularly during this stressful time?
This is one of my favorite applications for rituals. I use a framework I call BANG! which stands for Breathing, Appreciation, Nature, and Giving. Each one of these rituals supports the nervous system by setting a strong foundation that enables children (and adults) to move more readily from the sympathetic (agitated) to parasympathetic
(relaxed) states.
At Bambini Furtuna, we’ve developed products with calming aromas that can be used by parents to signal a child that it is safe to move from an agitated state into a calm one.
Practicing BANG! rituals consistently over time and with your support, your child can develop the capacity to ground and soothe themselves in even the most stressful of times.
for children?
Rituals are repetitive actions that are timed either with the calendar, like the ritual of having cake on one’s birthday, or timed with an activity, like the ritual of a warm
bath before bed.
Rituals have been part of the human story since the beginning of recorded history. They ground us and give our lives a meaningful framework. This is especially important for children.
What is an appropriate age to start incorporating rituals into your family’s routine?
I love adding rituals to a baby’s life while they are inside their mother’s belly. Singing, belly massage, talking to them, and even eating healthy foods can be a powerful ritual that helps baby more easily adjust to the outside world.
Once they’re born, using rituals to signal it’s time to calm and go to sleep can be an important part of helping babies, who often have days and nights confused,
adjust to family life.
At what times during the day, week, or year is it beneficial to have rituals in your family life? What are some of your favorites?
Some of my favorite rituals are great big celebration rituals around birthdays and holidays. I have four children and we celebrate each of their birthdays, but certain ages have special meaning. When each child turned 12,
I took them on a trip
We also celebrate other holidays with our own rituals. The important thing is to make it something your kids can count on and something that works for your family.
We have weekly and daily family rituals, too. While the kids were growing up, we had sit-down family breakfast most mornings before school. And on the weekends we had an elaborate brunch where we routinely spent a couple of hours around the table getting thoroughly caught up.
I also love greeting and goodbye rituals, either with a special catch phrase or physical touch. These moments of transition are a great time to say “I see you. I know you. You are special to me.” Every child benefits from the security of positive family rituals. It gives them something to look forward to and to count on.
How can rituals help children regulate their emotions and families stay grounded, particularly during this stressful time?
This is one of my favorite applications for rituals. I use a framework I call BANG! which stands for Breathing, Appreciation, Nature, and Giving. Each one of these rituals supports the nervous system by setting a strong foundation that enables children (and adults) to move more readily from the sympathetic (agitated) to parasympathetic
(relaxed) states.
At Bambini Furtuna, we’ve developed products with calming aromas that can be used by parents to signal a child that it is safe to move from an agitated state into a calm one.
Practicing BANG! rituals consistently over time and with your support, your child can develop the capacity to ground and soothe themselves in even the most stressful of times.