tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31105118.post6886883577714418718..comments2023-09-12T08:47:06.615-04:00Comments on Naru Hodo: The Moral Formation of ChildrenMariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04500724701139176293noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31105118.post-56108182237088916062007-10-14T09:57:00.000-04:002007-10-14T09:57:00.000-04:00Anna,We have had this question about rosary partic...Anna,<BR/><BR/>We have had this question about rosary participation. We've done an evening family rosary for about a year. Ds (now 6) for the most part has either been playing in the room with us, or sometimes grumping, or often not even in the room. However lately, when the mood strikes at least, he leads the rosary, which he pretty well knows fluently, just from listening. Last night he stopped dh from leading so he could lead Of course, we have company, so he has a different 'audience'. Not quite at that 'living for the eyes of God' thing yet, LOL! But for a 6 year old, I think he's doing ok.<BR/><BR/>We have taken the advice I heard to pray for the dc to love praying on the days when it becomes a big grump-fest to participate in prayers.Mariehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04500724701139176293noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31105118.post-13586063375059612122007-10-14T09:12:00.000-04:002007-10-14T09:12:00.000-04:00I like the living honestly comment - John Holt, wh...I like the living honestly comment - John Holt, while not a Christian, said something similar. My friend Cindy calls this "living the authentic life".Leoniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11596513344737230084noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31105118.post-55566691415807107072007-10-14T00:36:00.000-04:002007-10-14T00:36:00.000-04:00I have pondered much of the same recently. Maybe I...I have pondered much of the same recently. Maybe I tend to overthink things as well. My dilema right now is - do you force your kids to say prayers. I want them to learn the prayers, but more so, to have a relationship with God... like you stated, not to have them grow up and find these 'rituals' shallow and meaningless. I struggle with the fine line of forming good habits with freedom of will and the desire to choose good. <BR/>I don't know the answers either. I think this is where we have to step back and trust God. After all, I feel like I turned out 'fine' despite my parents. I would like to have a better relationship with my own kids, but I can only live my life... and hope they choose to live theirs well - but it is their choice ultimately. And that is sooooo scary to think about!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31105118.post-8560833408143290552007-10-13T17:04:00.000-04:002007-10-13T17:04:00.000-04:00Ok, so I'm starting to think that I just think too...Ok, so I'm starting to think that I just think too hard over these things some times. I realize that thinking in the abstract about theories of child-raising is ... well, can be a waste of time. What we really need is to look at what to do in the real life situations before us. <BR/><BR/>But if I had to have a theory, I'd say, live virtuously with your children, communicate openly, do not harp, be merciful. If I do the honest effort to walk with my God and meet the moral challenges that are struggles for me, I'll be able to see and help my dc do the same. And maybe the top piece of parental wisdom I come back to is to stop living for the eyes of other people. Live for the eyes of God. Live for the heart of Jesus, repent and convert daily, and I think each day will have the light it needs. However, others are free to make their own decisions, and I can't force anyone want to love God.<BR/><BR/>Does that make more sense?Mariehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04500724701139176293noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31105118.post-43619209541105153162007-10-13T16:01:00.000-04:002007-10-13T16:01:00.000-04:00Good points!Good points!LHhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10951491633349322284noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31105118.post-22575623096505525872007-10-12T02:52:00.000-04:002007-10-12T02:52:00.000-04:00I liken the idea of a moral training ground - if w...I liken the idea of a moral training ground - if we meet our "demons", so to speak, in childhood, we have experience that is invaluable for moral formation and for adulthood. As C.S. Lewis says about "scary" literature or faiory tales - by meeting the so-called darker side in a safe environment, the child learns something about herself and about the world, something that helps them when they are adults....<BR/><BR/>Interesting discussion!Leoniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11596513344737230084noreply@blogger.com