{"id":745,"date":"2018-03-01T06:31:00","date_gmt":"2018-03-01T06:31:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.smallpage.online\/2018\/03\/01\/a-few-tips-on-helping-your-children\/"},"modified":"2019-07-29T09:32:07","modified_gmt":"2019-07-29T09:32:07","slug":"a-few-tips-on-helping-your-children","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/catalog.obitel-minsk.com\/blog\/2018\/03\/a-few-tips-on-helping-your-children","title":{"rendered":"A Few Tips on Helping Your Children to Become Faithful Orthodox Adults"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Presbytera Mari Mars offers a few tips on helping your child grow in their relationship with Christ in order to become a faithful Orthodox Adult.<\/em><\/div>\n
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In my former position as youth coordinator of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Atlanta, there was one thing that I learned early on which motivated me for the duration of my tenure in the position, and still motivates me today. \u00a0It sent chills up my spine. \u00a0It was the indicator that we have to turn the tide, change the direction of how we are raising our children. \u00a0It was that scary picture that made everyone gasp when you\u2019d tell them. \u00a0As told to us by our Archdiocese, two recent studies (one by the Pew forum and one by the Patriarch Athenagoras Institute) indicated that 60% OF OUR ORTHODOX CHILDREN ARE LEAVING THE CHURCH and never returning to the Orthodox Faith.\u00a0\u00a0Scary, right?<\/div>\n
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Every time I would mention this to someone, I would get the question, \u201cso how do I prevent it?\u201d \u00a0There are certainly no magic pills that will ensure your child grows up with a strong, devout faith in Christ through His Orthodox Church. \u00a0But that doesn\u2019t mean we can abdicate our responsibility to GOYA or the priest, either, to ensure that our Orthodox Children become Orthodox adults. \u00a0It is our job to raise them in the faith. \u00a0In which case\u2026<\/div>\n
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There are a few specific things that you can include in the raising of your children which would help them build a strong foundation of faith and a lasting relationship with God.<\/div>\n
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MOST IMPORTANT (take notes here): PRAY FOR YOUR CHILDREN!\u00a0\u00a0Every day, all the time. \u00a0Open an ongoing dialogue with God about your child, what they are facing, what they are going through. \u00a0Give your child back to God (after all, they do belong to Him!). \u00a0Ask the Theotokos, or Saints Joachim and Anna to help you as a parent. \u00a0Ask God that He help you to raise your children to His glory. \u00a0Ask Him to fill their hearts with His love\u2026 You get the idea.<\/div>\n
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Speaking of prayer\u2026 You know the old saying: the family that prays together stays together!\u00a0\u00a0It doesn\u2019t have to be anything fancy. \u00a0Praying at meals, and spending a few minutes in the morning and before bedtime saying the Lord\u2019s Prayer, thanking God for the people in your life and the good things (and don\u2019t forget to thank him for the challenges, too!), and asking for what your family needs are good places to start.<\/div>\n
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Also imperative, of course, is to take your children to Church.\u00a0\u00a0And when I say this, I don\u2019t mean walk in the door before right before communion, walk up, receive communion, and walk out, as though it\u2019s a drive thru. \u00a0This is an unfortunate practice of some parents who are afraid to come for the entire service for fear the kids will misbehave. \u00a0Go for the whole bit! \u00a0Arrive at the Doxology! \u00a0Leave after coffee hour! \u00a0If you need help with how to manage and engage your kids (because engaging is part of your responsibility, otherwise what\u2019s the point of coming to Church? They can color and play with dolls at home), see our article about tips for engaging kids in Church. \u00a0<\/div>\n
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Talk to your kids about God. \u00a0Many parents think that this is not their place, that the Church should do the talking. \u00a0But one priest in a parish of 200 or 500 or 1000 families can\u2019t possibly talk to your children as much as you can. \u00a0And the example that they need to learn from is yours. \u00a0If they ask a question you don\u2019t know the answer to, don\u2019t worry. \u00a0Find the answer together by using the resources the Church offers (like your priest or Church websites). \u00a0Either way, just engage them in discussion about their experiences in Church, about what they prayed for today, about how God helped them today\u2026 Anything having to do with their faith and God. \u00a0Talking to your kids about God will raise their perception so that they are able to see God in all things. \u00a0<\/div>\n
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Emphasize the right set of priorities and stick to your guns. \u00a0There are so many extracurricular activities and distractions that take us away from the life of the Church. \u00a0For instance, soccer leagues that travel on Sundays for games\u2026 Which is the priority, soccer or Church? \u00a0Now, understand that my Dad was a semi-pro soccer player, coached soccer, and I played soccer growing up. \u00a0I\u2019m not hating on soccer. \u00a0But, when facing this choice, ask yourself this question: When my child is 35 and struggling with the challenges that life inevitably brings with it (like marital problems), which is going to help them- their relationship with God, or soccer?<\/div>\n
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We often forget to think long term or to see the big picture. \u00a0We see the benefits of soccer as an extracurricular activity that looks good on a college transcript or might even provide a college scholarship. \u00a0But we neglect to look BEYOND that and realize that the most important investment in our child is the long term investment we make in their journey through life to salvation. \u00a0Remember that your child will learn by modeling from your decision. \u00a0Will they learn to prioritize their relationship with God or with soccer?<\/div>\n
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If we all, as Orthodox Christians, did these simple things: pray for our children, pray with our children, talk about God more, and go to Church more, then the world would
\nbe a very different place. We would see that 60% dwindle to nothing. \u00a0May our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ give us all the wisdom and discernment to guide our children to a life in Him!<\/div>\n
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