Hey Amber! I dig your blog. Thanks for posting your comment on my blog. Let me know if there's anything I can do to help you on your journey towards the fullness of Truth.
phatcatholic | Homepage | 02.21.07 - 8:20 pm | #

I think that doing things as a family for Lent is the best way to start talking to kids about Lent. Every time someone automatically reaches for somthing that was given up is a great moment to talk about why giving it up was important.

Children begin going to reconciliation when they reach the "age of reason". Although this obviously varies from one child to the next, it is generally accepted to be about the time they are in second grade. Most religious education programs prepare children for their first reconciliaton followed shortly (days, weeks, or months) by their first reception of the Eucharist.

I think that the best way to help them begin to develop their conscience is what you're already doing: start with the 10 commandments and what they mean in their lives.

As a child I dreaded Lent, which seemed to go on forever. This year I've been looking forward to it. I pray that your Lent will be a meaningful time of preparation for the wonderful joy of Easter!
JLF | 02.21.07 - 8:39 pm | #

NIce eyes from Jesus! :-) lOvely tale
God bless you lots
Maria in the UK
www.inhishands.co.uk
Maria in the UK | Homepage | 02.22.07 - 6:09 am | #

phatcatholic,

Thanks! I dig your blog too! A lot of what you post is helpful to me in my journey!

God Bless!
Amber | Homepage | 02.22.07 - 8:54 am | #

JLF,

Thank you for your help and insights. I'll keep going with the 10 Commandments... and I'll ask my parish questions when I go through the baptism process with my kids!

Thanks for commenting! I hope you're doing well!

God Bless!
Amber | Homepage | 02.22.07 - 8:57 am | #

I love that - I get my eyes from Jesus. Makes you smile (along with the picture).

BTW, my boy is 7. He makes his first confession on Saturday. At most parishes it happens in about the second grade.

As for Lent, we will remind them in our prayers together. They will have little bowls for putting in money for the poor throughout Lent, and each gives up something. I think they both agreed on french fries.

When my wife was a kid, she gave up TV (and actually did it)! I, unfortunately, was not able to do anything so grand as a kid.
RobK | Homepage | 02.22.07 - 5:39 pm | #

One site that you might try for the kids is http://www.catechismclass.com/ - that site has been a great help for mine. Every day they get a new lesson with a saint, scripture for the day, lesson, prayer, etc. It flows with the seasons and is well-written and very strong theologically.
Chris | Homepage | 03.13.07 - 11:26 am | #

Chris,

Thanks for this suggestion. I'll look into it! :)
Amber | Homepage | 03.13.07 - 5:52 pm | #

I'd be interested in knowing if you found any good information on teaching kids about the faith - as Abbey and I are going to church together, she is confused, as she is also going with her father, who is Methodist.
I have not yet found good information to tell her more about our point of view - any luck on your end?
Lish | Homepage | 04.08.07 - 10:21 pm | #