April's meeting included a robust discussion by Tricia K. entitled "Teaching the Ways of God Rather than the Ways of the World." Tricia highlighted many challenges facing Catholic mothers, including instilling a strong sense of Humily, Character, and Faith in a world that often seems in direct opposition to such virtues. She reminded us all that our family life is the primary "classroom" for teaching such values, and that as mothers, we lay the foundation for Goodness in all that we do, and don't do, for our children.
The group discussed the role of prayer in developing Faith and Character in young children and shared tips on how to involve preschoolers in family prayer and Mass. We also considered the impact of material and commercial overload in American culture and reminded each other that less is often more -- especially when it comes to children.
A helpful way to begin forming our Family Culture is through open dialogue, consistency, and the simple proclamation, "This is how we do things in our family." While this statement certainly won't prevent children from pushing the boundaries we set for them, it will serve as a gentle reminder that our Family Life is a "world" to be respected and valued. It will also teach children (and remind us) that Character means doing what is good and right regardless of what is may be popular or expected.
Among the many helpful tips and resources we shared at this meeting, are some websites that provide detailed reviews and ratings for current (and past) films. Please visit our Favorite Resources page for links to these sites.
- Maria File
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