I had an interesting conversation with my oldest daughter yesterday. Apparently, a friend told another friend that our family is "old-fashioned". My daughter asked if I thought this was true.

I did say that we are traditional, but that isn't a bad thing. In our discussion we came up with a list of traits about our family:

(1) Dad goes to work, Mom stays home.
(2) More children in the family than other families.
(3) Definitely Mass once a week, sometimes more.
(4) Always wear dresses to Church and family parties.
(5) Praying before every meal (including breakfast) and bedtime.
(6) Simple meals - home cooking a lot.
(7) Embracing family traditions - the type of dance they do celebrates their heritage.
(8) Knowing a lot of family history; what towns in Europe relatives came from, where they settled in the US, what these relatives did for a living.
(9) Having old and new family traditions that are important. Birthday rituals, holiday rituals, food habits anf favorite meals/games/etc.
(10) Reading a lot - playing computer games once or twice a week for 30 minute intervals.
(11) Going places and doing things - zoos, museums, etc.
(12) One TV in the family room, ask if it can be turned on. One computer in family room. Portable DVD used in travel or if someone is sick.
(13) Knowing how to sew and do needlepoint.
(14) Buying things as we need them - not a lot of recreational shopping.
(15) Showing respect to all elders.
(16) Knowing the value of the dollar and making economic choices.
(17) No cell-phones for individual use. There is an IPOD for use when practicing individual dance.
(18) There may be more brothers and sisters born into the family.
(19) Grandparents may live with us in the future.
(20) Modest dress - no spandex or words across their butts. Sensible clothing choices.

I know that people make choices as to how they live their lives and the lifestyle they cerate for their families. This made me really confident in the choices that my husband and I have made for our family. If this is old-fashioned, I am all for it ...