Catholic mamas -- April/May thread - Page 4

[claddaghmom]

Even if this was all for show (I have heard that they bestowed degrees upon 9 other presidents) I cut off any possible benefit of the doubt after his speech.

If I paid for that degree I would be : beyond belief to get a commencement speech where 1/3 of it focused on abortion, tossed out a bunch of lame non sequiters and then called for common ground. Oh my goodness I would be in tears to have my graduation day ruined like that.


Everyone I know in real life who supported Obama going there kept saying over and over again "It's not about abortion! Those antichoicers are making it all about abortion!"

Nope. Obama made it all about abortion!!!


:

[DiannaK]

Originally Posted by jlpumkin

Hi ladies!

Does anyone have any Catholic parenting book recommendations? We are focusing on character development but any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Also for those of you that homeschool, do you use only Catholic resources or are Christian acceptable for your family as well?

We are still struggling a bit with the ramifications of our recent move... but I think we are getting it worked out.. I pray...

Check out Gregory Popchak ... I think he's written some stuff, and he and his wife also have a radio show, which is available on Itunes as a podcast.

[Katwoman]

Originally Posted by jlpumkin

Also for those of you that homeschool, do you use only Catholic resources or are Christian acceptable for your family as well?

I'm using Catholic Heritage this year. (It's our first homeschooling year.) For me I'm using it because I'm fairly "quiet" with my faith. In the home I was raised in religion/faith was kind of a "dirty little secret" subject. You were expected to have both but neither was discussed/questioned. (Weird.) Anyway, I've been working for 4 years to become more vocal and am not doing a great job. With CH I thought we'd have a chance to share it as a family and be vocal.

One of the things that was written about the CH curriculum on their website, was - and I'm paraphrasing poorly - it's not enough to to say something is wrong, but we have to say what is right. So using a Christian curriculum and telling our kids which part we don't believe in isn't of service to them. We must teach them what is right.

Anyway, it just really resonated with me so I thought I'd share with you. It's exciting to see other homeschooler.

[BMG580]

Originally Posted by jlpumkin

Hi ladies!

Does anyone have any Catholic parenting book recommendations? We are focusing on character development but any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Also for those of you that homeschool, do you use only Catholic resources or are Christian acceptable for your family as well?

We are still struggling a bit with the ramifications of our recent move... but I think we are getting it worked out.. I pray...

I have been reading quite a bit about Charlotte Mason and while her educational philosophy does not specifically include Catholicism, she was a very Christian woman and her curriculum reflects that. There is a habits handbook that has compiled all her ideas about instilling good character and practical habits in young children created by Sonya Shafer called Laying Down the Rails that I've found particularly helpful.

http://simplycharlottemason.com/book...-mason-habits/

[jlpumkin]

DiannaK - I will definitely check out Gregory Popchak.

Katwoman - I am using CHC science and also the devotions & Faith & Life series. I really love the gentle faith of it... but I was looking for more meaty literature, so this year we are using Sonlight - Christian but not Catholic... and honestly as a new convert I'm thinking that maybe the "offensive" stuff just goes right over my head?

[jlpumkin]

Charbeau - we were typing same time I think Anyway - I LOVE Charlotte Mason. Maybe one day I'll be ready for her. In all honesty, we are very new to hsing and I'm intimidated. Maybe once I get my bearings.

[jest]

I haven't posted here in awhile but I feel the need to speak up and say I agree with those of you who are saddened and disgusted by Notre Dame's actions.

Originally Posted by jlpumkin

Hi ladies!

Does anyone have any Catholic parenting book recommendations? We are focusing on character development but any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Also for those of you that homeschool, do you use only Catholic resources or are Christian acceptable for your family as well?

We are still struggling a bit with the ramifications of our recent move... but I think we are getting it worked out.. I pray...

I like Parenting With Grace by Greg and Lisa Popcak. As someone mentioned they also have a radio show. He is a counselor and has written books on marriage as well. They are devout Catholics who also have an attachment parenting philosophy.

I'm planning to homeschool but I'm just beginning to look at curriculum options. My oldest is 4 so I still have a year and a half before he officially starts school. My sister started out with Seton. She now uses mostly Catholic Heritage but she uses others as well, not all of them are specifically Catholic. For example she uses Saxon for her oldest ds's math because it suits his learning style best.

[DiannaK]

hey mommas!
I'd love some ideas about how to introduce Mary and Jesus to a 3 year old. Any thoughts??

[Katwoman]

Originally Posted by DiannaK

hey mommas!
I'd love some ideas about how to introduce Mary and Jesus to a 3 year old. Any thoughts??

A particular aspect of them? Or just them in general?

I had a tough time with my first when she was 2/3, the concept of God/Jesus was VERY difficult. She wanted concrete answers. My girlfriend told me focusing on Jesus as a baby was working wonders for her. Every little kid LOVES babies. My DD loves Jesus as a baby, but the Jesus on the cross is a little bit much for her - she's 4. She loves to play Mary and is always trying to get her little sister to play Jesus. But I'm not sure how old my LO's have to be before they can understand the meatier part of Jesus.

Not very helpful I'm afraid.

Originally Posted by jlpumkin

and honestly as a new convert I'm thinking that maybe the "offensive" stuff just goes right over my head?

Or maybe it will give you a good chance to talk to your kids about the difference between religions. I mean they were there for your conversion. Would give you different topics to discuss that with them. Just a thought.

[BMG580]

Originally Posted by Katwoman

A particular aspect of them? Or just them in general?

I had a tough time with my first when she was 2/3, the concept of God/Jesus was VERY difficult. She wanted concrete answers. My girlfriend told me focusing on Jesus as a baby was working wonders for her. Every little kid LOVES babies. My DD loves Jesus as a baby, but the Jesus on the cross is a little bit much for her - she's 4. She loves to play Mary and is always trying to get her little sister to play Jesus. But I'm not sure how old my LO's have to be before they can understand the meatier part of Jesus.

Not very helpful I'm afraid.

My DD is 3, almost 4. I am taking a similar approach right now. Both of my children have little statues of Mary and baby Jesus in their rooms. My DD understands that Jesus is the man on the crucifix in our church as well but she is just too little to understand Jesus as God, Jesus' sacrifice, etc. We have several books that we use, two of her favorites are:

Hail Mary and Our Father by Xavier Deneux which are illustrated versions of the prayers with some child friendly explanatory text.

http://www.amazon.com/Hail-Mary-Xavi...3268357&sr=8-3

We also listen the the Rosary in the car often. Since I am pregnant now we talk about how God put Jesus in Mary's tummy without the help of a Daddy, since He is Jesus' true father. Even though God put the baby in my tummy He used Daddy's help. So Jesus is special and got an adopted father in Joseph. We also talk about how Jesus was never naughty because He is God's son and we have to try and be good like Him.

Not sure if this helps, but I guess what I am trying to say is that I incorporate Jesus, Mary and God into our normal day by talking about them, reading about them, saying prayers to them, listening to the Rosary, going to daily Mass a couple times a week and on Sunday, and choosing to celebrate feast and Holy and some Saints day with crafts or special baking projects. I hope some of it sinks in and just becomes a normal part of the kids' lives, we'll see!

Also, I've been meaning to post these etsy shops that have great things, the Verse Purses are the best, I've gifted them to my RCIA sponsor and the RCIA leadership team. Great little gifts to have on hand!

**

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5712250

and

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5055067

[Rosehip]

Originally Posted by DiannaK

hey mommas!
I'd love some ideas about how to introduce Mary and Jesus to a 3 year old. Any thoughts??

Visuals are important - my 4 yo loves seeing the Baby Jesus in the creche at Christmas. She loves the statues at church. I've told her that Mary is Baby Jesus' mommy and that she can talk to her and ask her for help, or to ask her to watch over us. She loves that! I tell her that they are always with her, even when it's dark, which is comforting to her. One of our priests invites the kids up for the homily. One Sunday, he asked the kids what they saw in the stained glass behind the altar. She was so excited to raise her hand and answer Jesus!