INVESTING IN YOUR KIDS USING THE 5 "T"s:
by Becky Thomson
First, a DISCLAIMER! Imparting my wisdom as a mom does not ensure your kids will remain strong in their Catholic faith! I pray that my own do, but, there's no guarantee. The one thing I can guarantee is that your kids are going to mess up sometimes. And, SO ARE YOU. And that’s where we learn. That’s where God’s mercy comes in. Come to rely on His TRUTH and GOODNESS and our response to the mess-ups will be grace-filled.
HOW DO WE INVEST IN OUR CHILDREN – BOTH EMOTIONALLY & SPIRITUALLY? Based on a few articles, personal experience and some wonderful scripture studies I've witnessed throughout the years, here are 5 Ts to investing in your children.
TEACH: Teach your children to pray, teach them the sacraments, teach them about their Catholic faith at each stage of development every, single day. An article from Our Sunday Visitor called "How Can You Keep Your Kids Catholic." states, "Beyond Catholic schools, CCD programs, books, apps, Church youth organizations, etc. — PARENTS have the primary responsibility before God to ground their children in the faith." Teach them bible stories. Teach them that they are unconditionally loved by God. Educate yourselves as mothers too - join a scripture study, read great books by Catholic authors, listen to Catholic and Christian radio.
TIME: We know that raising children takes a lot of it. Carve out time, be available, ask them tough questions, have family meetings, play old fashioned board games or catch … just make time!
TRADITION: Walk the walk as parents. "Exemplify credible Catholic living — regular family Mass attendance and sacramental participation, adherence to Church teaching, daily individual and family prayer, support and involvement with their parish. When faith practice is interwoven into kids’ lives just like other customs — favorite vacations, holiday get-togethers, leisure activities — it implants as a comforting seed in their soul and psyche." Celebrate saint feast days or holy days - IE: Make angel food cake for the Feast of the Holy Angels. Make a holy habit of taking the family to reconciliation - then go to the park for a picnic! Get creative and your kids will look back fondly on the memories and may even pass them on to their own.
TRAIN. By this, I mean discipline and setting boundaries by training their HEARTS. The article said, “'Allowing kids to grow up in idleness or in wasting inordinate time with TV, internet, cell phones, or with friends makes them lazy and irresponsible," says Father Chad Ripperger, Ph.D., from the Diocese of Tulsa. He said, “Not only should kids be made accountable for their errors and behavior, they should have ongoing commitments in the form of chores or work.'" These are tough words, but, take them to heart. Challenge your kids to work hard and overcome complacency.
In Lisa Brenninkmeyer’s book "Walking with Purpose", she has a chapter on children and said, “if we are disciplining our children inconsistently, OUR authority in their lives becomes less and less relevant. (And teaches our kids that listening is an option.)"
It’s possible to train and discipline with great love and still be firm. Lisa says to ask your children when they’ve misbehaved, "What was in your heart that caused you to do this?” Ephesians 6:1-3 says “Children obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ‘Honor your father and mother.’ This is the first commandment with a promise, ‘that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on earth.”
TRUST: In doing these things, children learn to Trust Jesus in everything. A great constant prayer to teach them and use yourself is, "Jesus, I trust in YOU!"
In doing these things with and for your children, the hope is that TRUTH is what will become the forefront for their motivations in life.
TEACH + TIME + TRADITION + TRAINING + TRUST = TRUTH
by Becky Thomson
First, a DISCLAIMER! Imparting my wisdom as a mom does not ensure your kids will remain strong in their Catholic faith! I pray that my own do, but, there's no guarantee. The one thing I can guarantee is that your kids are going to mess up sometimes. And, SO ARE YOU. And that’s where we learn. That’s where God’s mercy comes in. Come to rely on His TRUTH and GOODNESS and our response to the mess-ups will be grace-filled.
HOW DO WE INVEST IN OUR CHILDREN – BOTH EMOTIONALLY & SPIRITUALLY? Based on a few articles, personal experience and some wonderful scripture studies I've witnessed throughout the years, here are 5 Ts to investing in your children.
TEACH: Teach your children to pray, teach them the sacraments, teach them about their Catholic faith at each stage of development every, single day. An article from Our Sunday Visitor called "How Can You Keep Your Kids Catholic." states, "Beyond Catholic schools, CCD programs, books, apps, Church youth organizations, etc. — PARENTS have the primary responsibility before God to ground their children in the faith." Teach them bible stories. Teach them that they are unconditionally loved by God. Educate yourselves as mothers too - join a scripture study, read great books by Catholic authors, listen to Catholic and Christian radio.
TIME: We know that raising children takes a lot of it. Carve out time, be available, ask them tough questions, have family meetings, play old fashioned board games or catch … just make time!
TRADITION: Walk the walk as parents. "Exemplify credible Catholic living — regular family Mass attendance and sacramental participation, adherence to Church teaching, daily individual and family prayer, support and involvement with their parish. When faith practice is interwoven into kids’ lives just like other customs — favorite vacations, holiday get-togethers, leisure activities — it implants as a comforting seed in their soul and psyche." Celebrate saint feast days or holy days - IE: Make angel food cake for the Feast of the Holy Angels. Make a holy habit of taking the family to reconciliation - then go to the park for a picnic! Get creative and your kids will look back fondly on the memories and may even pass them on to their own.
TRAIN. By this, I mean discipline and setting boundaries by training their HEARTS. The article said, “'Allowing kids to grow up in idleness or in wasting inordinate time with TV, internet, cell phones, or with friends makes them lazy and irresponsible," says Father Chad Ripperger, Ph.D., from the Diocese of Tulsa. He said, “Not only should kids be made accountable for their errors and behavior, they should have ongoing commitments in the form of chores or work.'" These are tough words, but, take them to heart. Challenge your kids to work hard and overcome complacency.
In Lisa Brenninkmeyer’s book "Walking with Purpose", she has a chapter on children and said, “if we are disciplining our children inconsistently, OUR authority in their lives becomes less and less relevant. (And teaches our kids that listening is an option.)"
It’s possible to train and discipline with great love and still be firm. Lisa says to ask your children when they’ve misbehaved, "What was in your heart that caused you to do this?” Ephesians 6:1-3 says “Children obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ‘Honor your father and mother.’ This is the first commandment with a promise, ‘that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on earth.”
TRUST: In doing these things, children learn to Trust Jesus in everything. A great constant prayer to teach them and use yourself is, "Jesus, I trust in YOU!"
In doing these things with and for your children, the hope is that TRUTH is what will become the forefront for their motivations in life.
TEACH + TIME + TRADITION + TRAINING + TRUST = TRUTH