Please take a few minutes to read through the October edition of Partners in Faith. You will find lots of resources to help your children grow in their Catholic faith. We have shared a couple pieces of it below.
Raise Children Who Care
Studies show that children have the capacity to be empathetic and compassionate from
young age, but to become caring, ethical people, they need adult guidance to develop the necessary virtues. Teaching children to care about others is a powerful step toward helping them to live Jesus’ commandment to “love one another.” Show that it matters. A popular reaction to others’ misfortune is to laugh or find it funny. Don’t indulge. Instead, point out the reaction of the person involved. For example, “That girl who got splashed when the car hit the puddle is not laughing. Look at her face. She looks sad and uncomfortable.”
Demonstrate that you care. Let children catch you in the act of kindness by putting yourself out to help an elderly neighbor with yard work, giving a sympathetic ear to
a troubled friend, or avoiding uttering an unkind word. Don’t respond to rudeness. Explain that there are many reasons why someone could be rude, “Wow, that cashier must have had a really bad day to talk in such a mean voice to us at the supermarket. What do you think?” This teaches your child that when someone is nasty to you, you
don’t have to be mean in response. Acknowledge kindness. Show that you notice when your child does something kind. Acknowledge and praise the effort.
"No” is a Loving Response
Parents know that to build responsible adults, we have to wean children from an expectation of instant gratification. Youngsters must learn to separate wants from
needs. They don’t always want what is good for them. When we say “no,” we empower them to practice virtues of self-control, prudence, and moderation.
Always Pray
Remind children that even when they feel alone, God is there. Explain that He never will leave them and always hears when they talk to Him. Teaching your children to pray whenever they are frustrated, angry, and nervous, or even when they are happy, helps them remember that they have a direct line to Jesus. He promised to be with us always, even to the end of time.
“The secret of happiness is to live moment by moment and to thank God for all that He, in His goodness, sends to us day after day.” - St. Gianna Molla
Source: Partners in Faith October 2021 Edition