How to Keep Kids Catholic

If you want your kids to remain Catholic, you must first understand that you cannot force them to keep their faith. Instead, you must create an environment that leads them to understand and appreciate their faith so that they want to remain Catholic.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• A deep understanding of your faith
• Good habits, both in and out of church
• Understanding of your children

1. Accept the face that you cannot force you children to remain Catholic. Instead, your goal is to help them to recognize the importance of their faith so that they choose to continue to practice their faith.
2. Pray. Pray for yourself. Pray for your children.
3. Develop a thorough understanding of your faith. Read the catechism, speak with your priest, and use other means to deepen your own understanding of the Catholic faith.
4. Attend Mass regularly with your children.
5. Practice what you preach with your children. Show them love and understanding.
6. Set an example for your children outside of Church. Donate to a charity and do some volunteer work, maybe at a hospital or at a crisis pregnancy center. Show them that, while going to Mass and participating in the sacraments is important, faith is not left at the Church door. Depending on the age of your child, tell him or ask him to volunteer with you.
7. Treat them age-appropriately. Most people question their faith at some point or another, and while simple answers may be appropriate for five year olds, they will seem simplistic for teenagers and adults. You should have a deep understanding of your faith so that you can explain how the faith applies to daily life rather than simply telling them "Don't do that." "Just don't!" is the single phrase most likely to turn children against their faith.
8. Enlist help when necessary. Priests are there to serve their parishioners. If you don't understand something, ask him. If your child is open to it, have him speak with the priest. At every step, your goal should be to have your child and yourself deepen your understanding and appreciation for the faith. Telling your child that he has to or cannot do something but you don't know why hurts your credibility severely.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep in mind that you cannot keep your children Catholic. You can, however, help them to understand and practice their faith so that they choose to continue to practice the faith as they grow up.
• Be careful to respect your children at all times. If you do not respect their human dignity and intelligence at all times, your influence over them will quickly wane or disappear completely.