Quality Time is Prime Time
I was (and am still) a demanding older sibling and my brother liked to do things his own way. These were personality differences that brought us much conflict when we were younger, but now that we are older, we see them as complementary and help us to give different perspectives to support our teenage sister. We didn't just grow up and decide that we would get along - we have spent many years learning, communicating (and arguing), and spending time with one another.
When I wasn't trying to execute a half Nelson on him, we would play a variety of board games. He's a big fan of Monopoly, I enjoy Scrabble, and our mother taught us how to play Sungka (a Filipino game similar to Mancala). Our parents played with us occasionally as well, but more often than not it was just my brother and I at home together. Spending time together, especially during opportunities such as games and sports, are important because they teach us valuable lessons such as following directions, listening attentively, fine motor skills, math, and most importantly - that people need people. We need people to build skyscrapers, climb mountains, and lift up communities. Celebrating people and the different roles that they play in our lives.
There are a number of events and traditions that are meant to be ways to celebrate different people in our lives. There are a number of holidays around the world that recognize those who take on parental roles: Mother's Day, Father's Day, Parent(s) Day, Foster Parent Appreciation Day, Grandparent's Day, and more. More recently, there are also holidays dedicated to siblings and cousins as well as 'gotcha' days for furry family members. There are also ways we celebrate 'found families,' friends that we cherish just like family, like Friendsgiving dinners and 'friendsaversaries.'
Some traditions are meant to remember people of the past, like Purim, a Jewish holiday commemorating the story of Esther, who saved the Jewish people from Haman. Shabbat is the Jewish day of rest during which families spend time together, have dinner, relax, and go to the synagogue. Memorial Day is a day during which we remember those who died in military service to the United States.
Some traditions aren't holidays, but weekly traditions meant for families to spend time together. For example, Some families have a designated Family Game or Movie Night once a week or month. These traditions are opportunities to spend time together and foster relationships.
Since my brother moved away recently, we won't be able to play Monopoly, Scrabble, or even Wrestle Mania any time soon. However, we'll be looking forward to seeing each other in the summer. When we do, we'll probably have a sibling game night - but we'll leave the wrestling to the professionals on TV.
Have questions? Send us an email!
- Katherine Ellison, Glen Grove Principal
- Aurora Joaquin, Glen Grove Speech-Language Pathologist
- Katelyn Kelleher, Glen Grove Psychologist
- Hedy Helfand, Glen Grove English Langauge Learning Teacher
- Marie Chang-Pisano, Glen Grove Reading Intervention Associate
- Sylvia Gorski Duarte, District Title III Family Resource Teacher
- Lindsey Lurie, District Multilingual Instructional Coach
Email: GGCommunityProject@gmail.com