Families will treasure this collection of rituals and traditions for many occasions, from such personal milestones as a child's first day of school or a teenager's new driver's license to mainstream holidays, birthdays, and anniversaries. Special celebrations in a warm family setting help foster self-esteem and creativity, open up communication channels, and may even entice older children to stay at the dinner table a little longer. Such cherished events can be as simple as a Sunday lunch orchestrated by the kids. Each ritual is inspired by those of real families. Their stories are shared, along with practical instructions on how to implement and tailor the ritual to one's own family. All it takes is organziation, imagination, and a willingness to resist outside interference for a few precious moments. Meg Cox is a journalist, author and expert in family traditions. A former reporter for the Wall Street Journal, she writes for a wide range of magazines including Family Fun , Good Housekeeping , Parents , Cooking Light and Worth , and her corporate clients have included Pillsbury, Hallmark, and Merck & Co. Cox lectures frequently and writes a monthly newsletter on family rituals. She currently lives in Princeton, New Jersey, with her husband and son. Used Book in Good Condition