Jennifer Trainer Thompson and co-author Eric Kerns use THE JOY OF FAMILY TRADITIONS as a guide to workshops that they conduct in schools, clubs, churches, civic centers, and museums. These seasonal workshops are fun and informative, encourage group participation and include a presentation, Q&A, and supplementary materials.
Workshops for Adults
Reclaiming the Holidays: Thanksgiving and Christmas/Hanukkah
The holiday season is a great time to create and sustain activities that center on family and an expansive spirit. Unlike many traditions that are tied to a specific day, the winter holiday spirit can permeate an entire season. For those worn down by the commercialization of the holidays, it’s an opportunity to explore rituals that are rooted in beauty, spirituality, and charity. If you’re forming a new family, or just want a meaningful change, it’s a perfect time to incorporate easy customs from a variety of backgrounds while also creating new ones. Workshop is 1 ½ hours, and includes printed materials.
The 15-Minute Family: Finding Togetherness in Daily Rituals
Parenting today is not like it was in your grandmother’s time. Our lives are hectic. One out of three parents is a stepparent. People work…a lot. Many kids are in extended daycare after school, not home baking cookies and making ornaments, and a lot of good, conscientious parents simply don’t have as much time to dedicate to their kids as they’d like. This all-year-round workshop offers tips on easily incorporating meaningful rituals into busy lives. Workshop is 1 ½ hours, and includes printed materials and seasonal guides.
Raising Benevolent Kids: Traditions that Give Back
Children today are inundated with messages about being consumers—to want for themselves rather than to give of themselves – so it's never too early (or too late!) to teach kids about the importance and joys of giving to others. Kids who participate in charitable deeds become more aware of social issues and deepen their connection to their community. Involving children in giving when they are young is the best way to ensure that they'll practice it later on. This workshop offers novel suggestions for fun, meaningful ways to get your family involved with helping others year round on many levels. (Workshops held during the holidays also include seasonal tips.) Workshop is 1 hour, and includes printed materials and guides.
Family Man: Getting Dad Involvedin Holidays and Everyday
Gender roles have evolved over the last half-century, but many men still feel in limbo between traditional stereotypes and a desire to engage more with their kids. This workshop provides specific ways to help busy dads find meaningful ways to participate in both seasonal celebrations and daily family rituals. It’s about encouraging dads to speak up and participate in the traditions that resonate with them, while also making spouses and kids aware that sometimes they need to “make room for daddy.” This workshop is great for dads, moms, or couples and involves lots of group participation. Workshop is 1 ½ hours, and includes printed materials.
Parent-Child Workshops
Designed for parents and children ages 5-10, this is a perfect workshop for a museum,school, or club to sponsor as a Saturday afternoon event for parents with children. Each of the workshops below include quirky traditions (seasonal, or thematic, or home-based), stories of rituals and traditions, and workshop activities for parent and child to engage and have fun together creating and highlighting easy traditions that teach us gently about giving back, the value of family traditions, and being together and having fun as a family. Each workshop lasts one hour, and sample topics for the sponsoring organization to choose from:
Putting the Thanks Back in Thanksgiving
Traditions That Give Back
Creating and Savoring Family Traditions
Home for the Holidays: Reclaiming the Season
Workshop for Elementary Schools
This is a 1 hour workshop for elementary school children during the school day. Called Making Memories, it begins by talking about what traditions are – what distinguishes a tradition from a rut, for example -- and through much group participation encourages kids to talk about their favorite traditions. We will talk about seasonal vs. daily traditions and introduce some new (sometimes quirky, always fun) traditions from around the world. The workshop helps kids to recognize important traditions in their lives and to work on creating new ones. Workshop includes printed materials, and worksheets for the kids.
Bonus: we are also available to present a workshop for parents in the evening. Called Making Time for Traditions, we talk about the significance of traditions in our lives and how they help us guide our children while creating meaningful memories. We’ll talk about specific traditions, including those that focus on the season, embrace and celebrate nature, as well as at-home traditions that help families stay close. We chat about a tradition vs a rut, and how not to get bogged down with traditions that don’t work. Workshop includes printed materials and suggested reading.
Custom presentations can also be tailored to your group’s particular needs or interests. Authors are available for a book-signing afterwards.
