The summer is winding down and school is about to start back up. Here’s a simple challenge for all of us dads (and moms) who have school-aged children.
Pray with your kids before they go to school daily. Praying with your kids before they leave, or on the way to school is a terrific way to pass on your Catholic faith. If you’re just starting out, simply ask God to watch over your children, to help them to learn, and to bless the staff at the school. You can wrap it up with a single Hail Mary. Over time, the ritual will become a habit and your kids will likely want to take turns leading the prayer.
Share “Highs and Lows” at the dinner table. Getting my son to share details about his school day used to be difficult. When I asked him how his day was, I used to get vague responses like “fine” or “good”. Then I started asking him what his highs (favorite parts) and lows (hardest parts) of the day were. Now the responses are much more detailed and I have an easier time connecting with him.
Write “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.” on a post-it note. Stick it on your bathroom mirror and read it every morning. It’s a simple way to start your day by listening to the voice of the Savior.