What are some of the traditions from your childhood that always bring a smile to your face? Maybe it’s a smell that triggers a smile and a happy thought. Whether it is a pleasant or unpleasant reminder for you, the fact is that memory remains ingrained for a lifetime. Studies have shown the powerful impact on children during their developmental years of 0-5. When proper bonding and socialization take place, whole and healthy persons are prepared well for life. Even if there are significant hardships that take place later in life, these family ties serve to help them make it through.
Strong Foundations for Good Societies
Laying down a good foundation within our homes helps not just our children specifically, but society as well. The more emotionally and mentally stable members a society has, the healthier it will be. Healthy societies thrive while unhealthy societies self-destruct.
As a traditional wife and mother, we have the opportunity to impact our society for good. In fact, our role is vital to a healthy, well-functioning society. Modern feminist thought has an agenda that is bad for women and bad for societies as a whole. The feminist agenda is a complete disaster. Take time to build family ties that are strong enough to combat feminism’s radical ideologies.
One simple way to build family ties is through holiday traditions and birthday celebrations. It may seem obvious to you to celebrate your child’s birthday each year, but for some it is not. I am not talking about elaborate themed parties that waste family resources each year, I am referring to the effort you might take, as a wife and mother, from your own time and talents to show your loved one that they are special and you wish to celebrate that today.
Your Child is a Gift
Our children love to be celebrated. It is also important to remind them of the special gift they are to your family. God created them and placed them in your specific home with a specific purpose in mind. When this fact is reinforced, children cannot help but remember it when thoughts of worthlessness come knocking. Family ties are strong roots that nourish and feed your child’s soul.
Children all have different preferences that suit them. I am specifically talking about tastes and preferences in food today. Our eldest son really likes the crunchy-creamy combination of Oreos and ice cream. Whether it was a milkshake, a dessert, candy bar or whatever, that was his childhood fave.
Celebrations STrengthen family Ties
To recognize this preference is to recognize your child. So, as a means of celebrating him each year on his birthday, we would celebrate him with a Dirt Dessert, instead of a traditional cake. This is a happy tradition he has chosen to take with him to his own home as an adult.
The recipe below is one that was given to me on my wedding day, in a cookbook that was compiled by the ladies in my family to prepare me for married life in the kitchen. I treasure this collection of family recipes and it is my pleasure to share with you here today this recipe for Dirt Dessert.
Worms and Dirt Dessert
Ingredients
- 3 1/2 C Milk
- 2 Boxes Instant Vanilla Pudding, Small
- 1/2 Stick Butter, Softened
- 8 oz Cream Cheese, Softened
- 1 Cup Powdered Sugar
- 1 Bag Gummy Worms
Instructions
- PART 1: Combine milk and instant pudding in bowl, Stir for 2 mins. Set aside in refrigerator.
- PART 2: In stand mixer, combine butter, cream cheese, and powdered sugar.
- PART 3: Stir together Part 1 and 2 lightly. Fold in 20oz whipped topping.
- Blend 20oz Oreos until fine.
- Layer in trifle dish or flower pot, if using, thick layer of pudding, thin layer of crushed Oreos, pudding, Oreos, pudding, worms, Oreos.
- Allow heads of a few worms to peek out of cookie (dirt) layer, Insert flowers in center, if using.For boys I have placed toy cars and trucks in the "dirt."
This hand-written recipe was shared with my family in the 1990’s by my piano teacher, then given to me as a wedding gift years later. Even though there was not internet back then, this over-the-top cool and creamy Dirt Dessert was all the rage.
Let me know in the comments below if you have ever had this dessert as a kid and whether or not you like it as an adult.