Jul 31 2008
Through talks with Catholic children, I have found a few themes which come up again and again. Issues of papal authority, marriage, the Trinity, sexuality, the gender of God, and the Christmas spirit are evident in many Catholic children. To offer a few ideas and some support, I want to present some observations concerning Catholic child-rearing. Continue Reading »
Jul 23 2008
Your child needs to feel the love and support of you and of God. For most children, parental involvement is the ultimate way to develop spiritually and to feel good about themselves. Talk with your child face-to-face, not with condescension or distance. You should laugh and play with your child when discussing religion as well as other aspects of his or her life. And be there for serious talks too, because that is what parents are for. Teach your child about a God who is versatile too—a Being that is a Parent to all of us.
Be sure that you include “everyday” situations when you discuss how God participates in our lives so that the concept can be meaningful to your child. God is to be found in songs, laughter, play, work, hurts, celebrations, and so on. Most important, no matter what your religion or your child’s may be, God is at work in your child’s life, and he or she should have a sense of that. Continue Reading »
