Despairing for our kids/culture

  • Thread starter Thread starter Rachel126
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
R

Rachel126

Guest
New to this forum, so please bear with me.
My husband and I have elementary school age children. We are doing everything we can to raise them in the faith–regular Mass attendance, CCD. We have a strong marriage and strive to be the best example we can be to them.
However, I am not naive or blind to today’s culture. My kids are young, but I know they will grow up fast and suddenly I will be dealing with young adults. I already see so many family members and friends whose young adult children are ignoring the church on different matters, everything from sparse (or no) Mass attendance to living together and even having kids outside of marriage. It seems that the ones who do everything “right” are very few and far between. Additionally, the ones who are doing the wrong things seem to be fully convinced they really haven’t done anything wrong. I hope for better for my kids, but I also am realistic. I’m concerned for their souls–this might sound strange, given that we are talking hypotheticals right now, but I am terrified they will end up in hell. I cannot bear the thought. If they do follow the wrong path and never repent properly (which would likely be in the context of never fully realizing how wrong their actions were, as I genuinely believe my kids are and will remain good, moral persons), is it at all possible they will be saved? Does God consider everything in a person’s life and surroundings when making judgment? I’m not trying to make excuses for anything, but do the context of culture and social pressure serve as mitigating factors at all? I know no one here is God, but I wonder if anyone else ever thinks about these things or has any answers.
 
As the parent of a 22 year old young woman, whom I am extremely lucky to see how she has turned out morally (saving herself until marriage, absolutely no drugs, smoking, alcohol, etc) and seeing her love of God, I had many of the same fears. I brought her up as best I could in the church, but it was really up to her to evolve and grow her moral compass, especially when she got to college. As a parent, though, the best thing you can do for your children is pray for them. Saint Monica prayed for her son Saint Augustine for years when he was living a sinful lifestyle, and he wound up ok. God will always be there, so always let them know that prayer and faith in God are extremely important, and if they can learn that, many moral problems will solve itself. I hope this helped a little. I know its a scary world for our children.
 
Rachel126 said:
New to this forum, so please bear with me.
My husband and I have elementary school age children. We are doing everything we can to raise them in the faith–regular Mass attendance, CCD. We have a strong marriage and strive to be the best example we can be to them.
However, I am not naive or blind to today’s culture. My kids are young, but I know they will grow up fast and suddenly I will be dealing with young adults. I already see so many family members and friends whose young adult children are ignoring the church on different matters, everything from sparse (or no) Mass attendance to living together and even having kids outside of marriage. It seems that the ones who do everything “right” are very few and far between. Additionally, the ones who are doing the wrong things seem to be fully convinced they really haven’t done anything wrong. I hope for better for my kids, but I also am realistic. I’m concerned for their souls–this might sound strange, given that we are talking hypotheticals right now, but I am terrified they will end up in hell. I cannot bear the thought. If they do follow the wrong path and never repent properly (which would likely be in the context of never fully realizing how wrong their actions were, as I genuinely believe my kids are and will remain good, moral persons), is it at all possible they will be saved? Does God consider everything in a person’s life and surroundings when making judgment? I’m not trying to make excuses for anything, but do the context of culture and social pressure serve as mitigating factors at all? I know no one here is God, but I wonder if anyone else ever thinks about these things or has any answers.
Click to expand...
Yes!I think about these issues daily.I am a grandma to two,with another on the way.I pray to Our Mother Mary daily for my grandchildren,that she keep them under her mantle of protection,I pray for all of our youth as well.Add to that,the fact that my adult children while they thankfully believe in God,embrace their Catholic faith,to an extent.They don’t attend Mass regularly,partake of their faith fully.Sadly,this is the lament that I hear from a lot if it all of my friends and parishioners. God bless you and your husband for your efforts in raising your children up in the faith.Your example and prayers are the most efficacious things youcan do for them.
 
Here is what I first thought when I saw this:
“A cry shall go up in Ramah; Rachel mourning and weeping for her children.”
Since your username is Rachel126, this is quite a coincidence. :cool:
 
Pray for your children.
Do everything you can to teach them the Truth and be the best example of love. Love your children, love your husband, love your neighbor and, above all, love Christ.

You can’t guarantee that they will turn out perfectly. Children grow up and start their own lives. They may stick with the beliefs they were taught…they may throw them to the wayside.
All you can do, at that point, is continue to pray for them and love them. Don’t shun them if they fall away.
The chances of you losing them permanently at that point is very high.

I wasn’t perfect. Neither was my sister. Neither was my mother. We were all baptized Catholic and we all fell away from the Church.
I was the only one that came back…but my sister and my mother have both been fantastic examples of morality…despite not being religious.

All it would take for them is a complete acceptance of Christ, the Church and it’s teachings and one trip to confession.
I pray for this every single day.
 
All kids hit a few bumps along the road. Maybe pray a rosary with them everyday after dinner? Explain about the culture of death we live in and how not to go down that road. 🤷
 
Do your best to minimize harmful influences. Unfortunately, that means most popular culture. We allow only very limited, vetted media - which means very, very little. My kids spend a lot of time with other kids who don’t watch much TV, kids who have bigger families and are kind and gentle. We will homeschool. I want to do all I can to keep them innocent for ask g as possible.
 
I do not have kids but I think it is quite normal you have the concerns you mentioned. Honestly, I have no idea how parents can succeed in bringing kids up in the faith nowadays, but I do know it can happen.

This IMO is the most important ‘test’ of giving it all to God. Pray to God the strength and knowledge of to bring your kids up and then as God does, respect their free will. I know my advice will never be a comfort to a mom who just wants her kids in Heaven, but hopefully I have made you see you are normal

Angie
 
I ask the following to pray for my children: St. Monica, Blessed Zely Martin, Mother Mary, and St. Elizabeth Anne Seton. I ask for their prayers for me as a mother, too.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top