Some thought about holiday rituals/ culture

After Katelyn starts daycare, toward the end of the year, I prepare goody bags for her school friend on Halloween and on Christmas. These goody bags are not pricey at all. They are only candy or small gift but enough to bring surprises to children. I decided to do this not only because some other mothers also prepare them but more for Katelyn. By preparing these goody bags and give them to her friends, I want Katelyn learn to appreciate friendship, to share fun and happiness, and to know about socialization.

To me, all these rituals/ culture around holiday seasons are fairly new. I am the type of person who stay in my own culture unless it is necessary to know more. If I never had children, I might stay at the low side of acculturation level. After all, this is New York and people can survive no matter what. There is a saying that food preference can always tell people's level of acculturation. If this is true, I am definitely not Americanize.

My mom, raising two daughters who attended American education in Taipei until age 18, can consider as first immigrant mother. After I had Katelyn, she had a conversation with me one day. She shared that learning holiday culture/ rituals is a way to get to the core of every culture. "You just have to learn about all these things that we did not grow up with. Being a immigrant mother is not only a full time job but much more work", my mommy told me who is now raising kids as a first generation immigrant mom.

As I am growing up with Katelyn and Erin, I can relate to these aunts who raised my first generation American cousins. I believe these aunts have struggles of their career and the roles of mother when they are at my ages. They all chose to be full time mothers and my cousins are all successful. I am sure they have pay extra effort to raise their children to adapt to mainstream cultures. There has been debate in me if it is time for me to be a full time mother. I see the need for it and the value for the children.

Daddy is away again for business trip. We are doing just fine. When daddy is not home, I make sure two girls have extra activity to occupy their time and think less of daddy.

I let Katelyn help to fill up the goody bags tonight. She was excited and cannot wait to give them to her friends.



Erin is eating candy before turning 1 y.o.. Oh, No.! Didn't I just say from above video that she cannot have sweet?