Parenting with Purpose

My advice is never to let the day end without making peace in the family. And how am I going to make peace? By getting down on my knees? No! Just by a small gesture, a little something, and harmony within your family will be restored. Just a little caress, no words are necessary.
-Pope Francis

There are many resources to support a Catholic Family today:

• Balancing family and work
• Caring for children while you care for aging parents
• Help for empty-nesters
• Catholic Family Faith
• ...and much more!

• "Made for Life" - a reflection on the importance of fathers and mothers for their children.
• "Made for Life" Viewer's Guide and Resource Booklet.
• Information for parents about child and youth protection in schools and parishes
• Resources for parents whose child is discerning a religious vocation

• Rite for the Blessing of a Child in the Womb
• Order for the Blessing of Parents Before Childbirth
• ...and more!

There are different elements in each stage of raising children. One of those key elements involves the the development of a child's faith. These "stages of faith development" are an essential part of parenting, since faith formation really begins in the home, in the context of family. Read more about these stages HERE. HERE is additional information regarding the developmental overview of children.

Collge Bound Children

What about Catholics who are preparing to attend college? A few thoughts:

• The most important thing parents can do to help a son or daughter continue growing in their faith is to encourage them find and participate in a Catholic faith community on or near campus.
• All Catholic colleges or universities and larger public universities have a Catholic Campus Ministry which functions as the local faith community for Catholic students.  Nearby parishes usually serve this function at smaller private colleges or universities. Campus ministers are attuned to the social, personal and spiritual needs of young adult Catholics and can provide a variety of opportunities to help young Catholics understand and practice their faith.

Catholic parents who are concerned about their college son or daughter's faith formation should:

• Locate the campus ministry office or nearby parish where their young adult is attending school.
• Explain the nature and role of campus ministry to their son or daughter 
• Encourage them to become involved in the campus ministry community or in a nearby parish.
• Visit the campus ministry center or nearby parish with your son or daughter on your next visit.
• Contact campus ministry or a nearby parish when the fall semester begins. Provide the student's name, campus address, cell phone number and/or campus email address so that someone from the campus ministry staff can contact their son or daughter and invite them to become involved in Sunday Mass and other campus ministry activities.
(source: http://waterloocatholics.org/college-bound-catholics)

Many resources for parents HERE!

Every parent wants to keep their child safe from the harmful effects of bullying. Click HERE to read about different ways that schools can promote a culture of kindness.

Helpful information and resources can also be found here:
http://www.stopbullying.gov/index.html