FORMING THE FAMILY

It is important, I think, to have holy objects and Sacramentals in our homes. I can give you an example, as a grandmother, of using a large Crucifix.  Our four year old granddaughter was making a fuss one day with her clothing, and I used that opportunity to help her think of Jesus suffering on the Cross and asked her how she thought Jesus felt on the Cross.  I then told her to offer her little uncomfortableness for a few minutes and told her to ask her mother to set the timer, and when it goes off, then you can change into other clothing.  She gave me the biggest hug and kiss I ever had, and she thanked me and told me that I teach her a lot of things.

Some kids have a tendency to complain and fuss, and we have to be there to change that around and teach them virtues.  Don’t wait until they are older, it’s important when they are very young.

In guiding children with their use of time is another factor to overcome in today’s world.   Entertainment is a major issue today because of all the technology that is at the tip of our fingers.  Too much entertainment can take away a child’s imagination and intuition, as well as their freedom. 

When we were raising our children, we were very careful to teach them to create their own fun with each other. As parents, we purposefully kept ourselves from going out to eat as a family. We only went out at ‘special’ times, in which we found them always grateful.  I have learned through study and speculation that the more we give to our children materially, the more they are not grateful; we only end up with sad, and ungrateful children.

We can strengthen and fit for battle our children by practicing virtues through games. 

One game we did was to write down a certain virtue for their sibling and vice versa to practice that day.  For example:  “I want you to read Chapter 7 in Johns Gospel.”  Or they would mention a certain chore to do.  I found this helpful for them first to obey what was given them, and learn to do more penance.