Raising Multicultural Children: Traditions

This past week, our family went to Toronto to celebrate Collin's birthday the traditional Korean way. The Korean celebration for the first birthday is called a "dohl," and it includes a table full of rice cakes ("duk"), a little kid dressed in the traditional Korean hanbok, and a chance for the child to pick an object that is suppose to tell what he will become in the future.

We had a great time! Each thing on the table symbolizes something specific, and it was good to learn the particular meaning behind each "duk." Collin did well in his little hanbok...and what did he pick? The rainbow colored xylophone! Apparently, we have a little musician on our hands. :)

This trip reminded me that we have to be intentional if we want to raise Collin to be aware of his multicultural background. It is true that he will mostly identify with being American, as he should. We did, after all, have the whole birthday-hat and cupcakes celebration a couple weeks ago. But I think we are also somewhat hopeful that Collin will be aware of the different cultures in the family, and to be cognizant that there are different "ways" of doing things out there in the world.

Culture aside, there is something wonderful about traditions. They create memories and give space for celebrations. They also highlight and perpetuate family and cultural life. I hope that as Collin grows, we can teach him and bring him into different traditions from our families, church community, and friends.