Lent ideas for teens

  • Thread starter Thread starter whatevergirl
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
*hey kage? My dh loves your idea…lol He said that would be perfect for us all to do as a family, too…more silent time, unplug more…and just sit in the presence of God…together. Thanks again for the idea. *
 
Mrs_Sally said:
Mine have given up ‘screens’ during the week for the past few years (this was originally very much pushed by dh and I). It does make for a lot of quiet time!

They also give up sweets, which is a family tradition (we’ve been doing that one since the beginning of time). 😃

I think they are definately old enough to pick their own penances, but dd is a bit scrupulous, so I’m always careful about making suggestions. The priest who leads the youth group is really wonderful so I’m waiting to see what he suggests to the kids.

I know that as children grow into teens and into a more mature faith, they need to start making individual decisions about this sort of thing, but when we are all doing the same penances/prayers it feels so much like we are a community (more than a family) rather than having everyone going their own way. Hard to explain what I mean.
Click to expand...
*No, I think I know what you mean…that is what dh kind of said last night…that while we should choose individual sacrifices…we should do something together as a family, consistently all through Lent. kage’s idea is liked by my dh, and my kids like the idea, too. I think doing something as a family–together–will help us grow in holiness, together. There’s something beautiful about helping each other towards that. *
 
well, my 13 yo dd just told me tonight that she has her Lenten penance decided, but she wants to keep it a secret. 👍 I’m glad she realizes it needs to be a private thing between her and God.

As a family, we do simple suppers every Wednesay…soup and bread 🙂
 
One year I gave up MSN for Lent.
Another year it was video games.

My family never really did anything for Lent… my parents didn’t think following the fasts and everything was important. My brother is vegan though, so I just ate the same meals as he did during Lent…

The hardest thing for me to give up / enjoyed the most this year is playing harp… but I can’t give that up, because a) I need to practise b) I have an exam coming up. So I think I’ll just give my ipod up for lent.
 
I think limiting or giving up computer and video game time is a great idea. Certainly for some people it isn’t a big deal but for a guy like me who spends a lot of time on the Internet and some gaming it is a good sacrifice. I find myself more then often being on the computer too much. Giving it up just gives me way more time to spend doing better things and shows me I can live without my PC:thumbsup: Our family always gives up sweets too, I don’t really think of myself as a huge candy person but its a good sacrifice when those starbursts are laying around:D As said though lent isn’t just about giving up it is also a good time for doing extra or forming better habits.
 
SGTTOM said:
I think limiting or giving up computer and video game time is a great idea. Certainly for some people it isn’t a big deal but for a guy like me who spends a lot of time on the Internet and some gaming it is a good sacrifice. I find myself more then often being on the computer too much. Giving it up just gives me way more time to spend doing better things and shows me I can live without my PC:thumbsup: Our family always gives up sweets too, I don’t really think of myself as a huge candy person but its a good sacrifice when those starbursts are laying around:D As said though lent isn’t just about giving up it is also a good time for doing extra or forming better habits.
Click to expand...
*Starbursts? 😃 Guess everyone has their weakness…lol

I am looking forward to reflective Lent…and we discussed it this morning again at breakfast. Definitely going to diminish our ‘‘screen’’ time…all of us. My husband is not that into online surfing as I am…but my son said he is going to probably not play ps3 as much, if at all…and my dd is going to not play madden football as much. lol Gaming can be addicting, I suppose. I wish everyone here a very blessed Lent, and may we all grow in holiness. :grouphug:*
 
I have three kids 11, 14, and 17 so I am enjoying all the ideas! This year we are doing something as a family and individually. As a family we will be instituting a family rosary( I’ve been bad about that in the past, I’ve let our busy schedule get in our way) and limiting our snacks to 1 between meals. My kids seem to gravitate to the snack cabinet ALL the time. Whether they are hungry or not :). Im not sure what each has decided to give up. I know my 14 yr old has thought about giving up the pc but she realizes she needs it for school, so she may just limit her time on the pc. I think she talked about giving her self 2 hrs a week. Im really interested in getting my 17 yr old to find something truly sacrificial. She has been kind of wandering lately. How about shorter showers ? Ok, so that was a bit tongue in cheek.:rolleyes:
Again, keep this going, I like all the ideas
 
well in my family we have been giving up lollies for as long as i can remember, and TV joined it soon after. but after doing this every advent and lent it got too easy, so i started adding other things, usually not the same every year. some things i have tried and think would be useful, (especially with regards to food) are:
dairy
all desserts and sweet things
ice-cream and icypoles
soft-drink (but not on its own, do something else too)
wheat products (i have family with coeliacs)

that last one would also be useful to emulate anyone who has a lifelong disability/disorder/disease; to put yourself in their shoes. Although I have to say going without wheat was probably easier for me since half my food is gluten-free anyway
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top