Editor's Note: We are pleased to welcome Chick Moorman and Thomas Haller from Uncommon-Parenting as Community Contributors for AnnArbor.com. Moorman and Haller, internationally renowned experts on parenting communication and co-authors of "The Ten Commitments: Parenting with Purpose," inspire parents and teachers to become the best they can be. For more information, explore Moorman and Thomas' biographies at Uncommon-Parenting.

For their first column in AnnArbor.com, Chick Moorman shares some insights on "firsts."

My daughter Jenny's right leg swung forward with equal amounts of force and precision. Her foot connected squarely with the soccer ball and sent it on an arching path over the goalie's head, under the crossbar, and into the net. The goal, her first in 43 American Youth Soccer Organization games, was greeted with the traditional backslaps, high fives and wide grins.

The spontaneous 90-second celebration that followed Jenny's first goal was warm, genuine and esteem enhancing. It recognized her individual accomplishment as well as the total team effort. But more important for us, it served as a signal to activate one of our favorite family rituals, for Jenny had just achieved a First.

Firsts. This term has special meaning in our family and is cause for celebration. “Firsts” are defined as any event, success, or goal achievement that occurs for the first time. Firsts are benchmarks in our lives that signal an active participation in life and a willingness to take risks. They are visible reminders of our growth.

As such, they deserve special recognition. Some Firsts we have recognized include Randy pitching a shut-out; Matt learning how to read; me publishing the Our Classroom book; Jenny getting on the honor roll; me doing a workshop for teachers in a foreign country; and Matt learning to ride his bike.

Our celebration of each First is done on purpose, with a specific format, for a specific reason. We showcase Firsts by going out to dinner together. The individual who achieves the First becomes the focus person. He or she chooses both the time and place for the celebration.

At the appointed time, we come together as a family to share a meal, acknowledge the individual, and practice our collective caring. The focus person takes the spotlight and tells about his or her special moment, communicating feelings, reactions, impressions, or any new goals he or she has set. The rest of the family listens without interrupting the narrative.

When the focus person has finished sharing, the rest of us participate by telling what we liked about either the First or the reaction of the person who experienced it. Informal conversation follows until the conclusion of our celebration.

Celebrating Firsts helps us achieve two important goals simultaneously. The activity allows us to connect as a family as well as to celebrate the uniqueness of the person being honored. I hope you will steal this idea and use it with your family. But remember, we did it first.

Chick Moorman is the director of the Institute for Personal Power and can be reached at ipp57@aol.com. For more information, visit Uncommon-Parenting.com.