As a family unit it is important that you make your mark in our society, and leave something behind that the generations to come can remember you by. It doesn't have to be the cure for cancer or an amazing new invention, but it does need to be something that is uniquely and distinctly yours. As a family you can do this by developing a family heritage, things that your family loves to do that can become a family tradition.

her·i·tage n.
1. Property that is or can be inherited; an inheritance.
2. Something that is passed down from preceding generations; a tradition.
3. The status acquired by a person through birth; a birthright: a heritage of affluence and social position

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition copyright ©2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2003. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

It could be something as simple as a yearly holiday at the beach, or a camping trip to the bush at Easter. It could be being involved in a charity program every year or getting together with the extended family at Christmas. It could be as simple as having a Friday night game of cards with some friends, or going to the football grand final each year. Whatever it is, it needs to be something that your family identifies with, and that is worthwhile continuing on as a family unit for many years to come.

For many a family heritage has just 'seemed to develop' through identifying the areas of interest within the family and continuing to pursue them over a long period of time. A family heritage is an 'inheritance or tradition' that has the imprint of your family upon it, it is uniquely yours, and something your family can be proud of and hopefully continue, if it stays relevant.

The beauty of a family heritage is that it is always growing and developing, as different things are added throughout the years. It does not have to be formal or regimented, but should remain fluid and adaptable, this will give it a greater chance of surviving through generational changes.

The main thought behind having or developing a family heritage is having something that your children can identify with, that gives them a sense of belonging. Something that they will want to pass on to their children, a family tradition that is worth keeping.

Warm Regards
John Nolan
Dads Uni

Suggested Action:
Identify the things that you love to do as a family, and make them a part of a developing family heritage.

(Exodus 13 v 14)
¹⁴So it shall be, when your son asks you in time to come, saying, "What is this?" that you shall say to him, 'By strength of hand the Lord brought us out of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. ¹⁵And it came to pass, when Pharaoh was stubborn about letting us go, that the Lord killed all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both the firstborn of man and the firstborn of beast. Therefore I sacrifice to the Lord all males that open the womb, but all the firstborn of my sons I redeem." ¹⁶It shall be as a sign on your hand and as frontlets between your eyes, for by strength of hand the Lord brought us out of Egypt."