Are your kids ready for Lent? Kick things off right by celebrating Shrove Tuesday and observing Ash Wednesday. Here are nine things to do, and resources to go with them.
Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday: 9 things to do with your family
Fasting, giving, praying: 25+ ideas for what kids & teens can do for Lent
Fasting, almsgiving, and prayer are at the heart of the forty days of Lent. Here are some strategies for helping your kids get involved in these traditional penitential practices. Most of the ideas you’ll find on the website are appropriate for kids ages six and up. The best way to introduce younger children to Lenten practices is for them to see adults and older kids in the family practicing them; use their natural curiosity and desire to be “grown up” as a springboard for talking about what you’re doing, and why. Find out how to talk about Lent with kids, fasting ideas, prayer suggestions, giving ideas and much more.
St. Patrick’s Day: Joy during Lent
It sticks out like a sore, green thumb in the middle of a sober liturgical period. As a lifelong Catholic — and a lifelong Irishman — I struggle with squaring my prayer, repentance, almsgiving and self-denial with a holiday (one of my favorites) whose excesses include dying an entire river green. When I’m supposed to be fasting and giving things up and attending penance services, along comes this holiday — this feast day — that contradicts the whole Lenten vibe with its parades and corned beef. Find more about Saint Patrick online.
Tips to remain devoted to your Lenten sacrifice
How can we remain devoted to our Lenten sacrifice? We have some tips on the web site to help you out. Here’s one: Keep a cruxifix nearby. A glance at the cross can remind us of the sacrifice the Lord made for us. It also demonstrates His great love for us. Perhaps we can keep a cross in our pockets during those 40 days. When we feel tempted to deviate from our sacrifices, we can clutch that cross in the hope of being given the strength we need. Find more tips online.
Give up nagging your kids for Lent
Do your kids ignore you until you raise your voice? Do you find yourself exhausted by constant nagging? This Lent, give up nagging your kids by focusing on the 4 Cs: Connect, cue, communicate and consequences. Find explanations for all these, plus a bonus fifth “c,” online.
