Spiritual lessons
Motherhood has a funny way of bringing you closer to God. If you weren't the praying kind before baby came along, you'll certainly find plenty of reasons to get down on your knees afterward. At first, it's all praise and glory for your marvelous little creation, and then comes the desperate pleas for help after the first few sleepless nights.
"Lord, I'm so tired. Please don't let my boy wake up yet."
Bargaining quickly follows.
"God, if you can just make him stop screaming while I'm driving this car I'll throw an extra 20 in the basket on Sunday."
Mine aren't the most eloquent prayers - OK, sometimes they're down right selfish - but it is communication and an acknowledgment of a higher power.
But how do we, as believers, instill in our children our religious values?
I found a Boston Globe article titled "Teaching Spiritual Lessons to Children" that sums up how one Methodist couple inculcated their beliefs in their sons. It also mentions a Web site, BabyCenter.com, that offers more advice on the subject.
Service to the Lord is a big part of my family life, but, I admit, it's not so easy to share my convictions. Good Catholics just don't go around bragging about their good deeds and how many Hail Marys they've said on your behalf. We keep it to ourselves.
My husband, on the other hand, is the son of a Baptist minister. He is a deacon in his church and sings in the choir. Sometimes I think he is most comfortable when he is surrounded by stained glass and the sound of an old hymn playing on the organ. He will be the one, I think, to set the vivid example for our son.
Parents shouldn't wait until their children attend religious classes before the subject comes up. We need to be proactive in this area, and start as soon as the baby is born. (Remember, you're also training yourself here, not just the baby.)
My husband and I have been singing religious songs to Hendrick since he was born. He loves the simple melodies of "This Little Light of Mine" and "I've Got a Home in Gloryland That Outshines the Sun."
There are lots of board books that introduce the concept of God to babies and toddlers. Coloring books, videos and even toys with religious themes can help facilitate discussion as your child gets older.
Taking nature walks, showing gratitude for all the blessings in your lives rather than focusing on material possessions and showering others with kindness are all ways to lay the groundwork for your child's spiritual development.
And while your family is still young, it's a great time to start new traditions, such as praying before meals or attending religious services together. (Most churches have a crying room or play room, so use it.)
What better gift to give your child than the knowledge that, when all else in your world is lost, you still have everything if you have your faith?
Here's the link:
http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2007/05/26/teaching_spiritual_lessons_to_children?mode=PF
"Lord, I'm so tired. Please don't let my boy wake up yet."
Bargaining quickly follows.
"God, if you can just make him stop screaming while I'm driving this car I'll throw an extra 20 in the basket on Sunday."
Mine aren't the most eloquent prayers - OK, sometimes they're down right selfish - but it is communication and an acknowledgment of a higher power.
But how do we, as believers, instill in our children our religious values?
I found a Boston Globe article titled "Teaching Spiritual Lessons to Children" that sums up how one Methodist couple inculcated their beliefs in their sons. It also mentions a Web site, BabyCenter.com, that offers more advice on the subject.
Service to the Lord is a big part of my family life, but, I admit, it's not so easy to share my convictions. Good Catholics just don't go around bragging about their good deeds and how many Hail Marys they've said on your behalf. We keep it to ourselves.
My husband, on the other hand, is the son of a Baptist minister. He is a deacon in his church and sings in the choir. Sometimes I think he is most comfortable when he is surrounded by stained glass and the sound of an old hymn playing on the organ. He will be the one, I think, to set the vivid example for our son.
Parents shouldn't wait until their children attend religious classes before the subject comes up. We need to be proactive in this area, and start as soon as the baby is born. (Remember, you're also training yourself here, not just the baby.)
My husband and I have been singing religious songs to Hendrick since he was born. He loves the simple melodies of "This Little Light of Mine" and "I've Got a Home in Gloryland That Outshines the Sun."
There are lots of board books that introduce the concept of God to babies and toddlers. Coloring books, videos and even toys with religious themes can help facilitate discussion as your child gets older.
Taking nature walks, showing gratitude for all the blessings in your lives rather than focusing on material possessions and showering others with kindness are all ways to lay the groundwork for your child's spiritual development.
And while your family is still young, it's a great time to start new traditions, such as praying before meals or attending religious services together. (Most churches have a crying room or play room, so use it.)
What better gift to give your child than the knowledge that, when all else in your world is lost, you still have everything if you have your faith?
Here's the link:
http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2007/05/26/teaching_spiritual_lessons_to_children?mode=PF
1 Comments:
You are off to a great start! I have 4 kids, 18 - 8. We make God part of conversation during discussions. I also used the "What would Jesus do" question often when different things would come up about school incidents or in the neighborhood. Our faith is part of our everyday lives, not just a chore we have to do on Sunday mornings. I think the attitude that the parents have about faith/God/Jesus/religion/church is the most important factor. If you present God as a loving father and Jesus as a helpful brother, your children's faith will grow. My kids seem to have a strong faith which I pray carries them throughout thier lives.
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