Parents who exiled themselves from education of children - Pope Francis

[MariaChristi]

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Pope Francis in his Wednesday Audience, yesterday, gave an excellent picture of today’s “rupture” between families and society to the detriment of the children. There is much for all of us to learn as we seek to help children at home and in classrooms! See HERE to read the text of his General Audience.

An excerpt:

…The Educational Mission of the Family

Regarding the role of the Church, Pope Francis stressed that the mission of the Christian community is to provide support to the educational mission of the family, particularly in the “light of the Word of God.”

“Even the best families need support and so much patience!” he exclaimed. “That is how life is! Life is not made in a laboratory, it is made in reality.”

Good family education is the backbone of humanism. Its influence is the social resource that allows you to make up for the drawbacks, the wounds, the gaps of parenthood that affect less fortunate children. This influence can do real miracles. And in the Church these miracles happen every day."

Concluding his address, Pope Francis expressed his hope that the Lord will grant families the faith, freedom and courage that is necessary to their mission. “It is time for fathers and mothers to return from their exile, because they have self-exiled from the education of their children, and to fully reassume their educational role,” he said.

 

[Xantippe]

I think this is probably specific to different areas of the world.

In much of the contemporary US, parents DREAM of being exiled from their children’s education.

Here’s Amy Welborn, explaining why she decided to homeschool (they’ve since gone back to school, I believe, or are switching back):

"My point was that I have been doing the – (deep breath) – school supplies – does your uniform fit? – your teacher wants what? we just bought all the school supplies – book covers? Why do we have to do bookcovers? – welcome to our SCHOOL FAMILY – parent/teacher meeting – beginning of the year orientation – parent/teacher conferences – giftwrap sales – please return these papers signed on Tuesdays – please return THESE papers signed on Mondays – I have to find an article for music class – but I get extra credit if you go to the PTO meeting! – make an adobe model out of sugar cubes – is your field trip shirt the green one or the blue one? – yes, I signed your planner – wait,don’t throw that away, we need the box tops – SCHOOL FAMILY – you need a check for what? – do you have hot lunch today or not? – candygrams – wait, is it a jeans day today – boosterthon? Try not to run too many laps, okay? – please send cupcakes/cookies/goldfish but NO PEANUTS – POSTERBOARD – SCHOOL FAMILY.

"– thing for twenty-five (25) years.

"God bless ’em, the teachers and administrators. They do so much in a hostile culture and for so little compensation. It’s criminal, really. It’s not about them.

"But me? This chick, who comes from a school family? I need a break.

“From the SCHOOL FAMILY.”

amywelborn.wordpress.com/2012/06/20/amy_welborn_schoo/

 

[SuS33]

I wish my brother and his wife would listen to Pope Francis and be more involved in their kids education. I fear those kids and their limited knowledge about their faith.

 

[Xantippe]

I wish my brother and his wife would listen to Pope Francis and be more involved in their kids education. I fear those kids and their limited knowledge about their faith.

What do your brother and his wife actually believe or know about their faith?

It may not be that far away from what they are choosing to teach their children (i.e. very little).

 

[SuS33]

What do your brother and his wife actually believe or know about their faith?

It may not be that far away from what they are choosing to teach their children (i.e. very little).

They are pro same sex marriage, and kinda pro choice (depending on the situation I guess). They use contraceptions and tell their kids about it. My brother believes the CC is the church of christ yet he thinks that the leaders of the church are hiding lots of truth about the faith and that they are misusing their power. He is very into the da Vinci code conspiracy theory. Thankfully with lots of prayer and talks with my 11 year old niece she is pro life now, but I feel the way the kids in her school are pro chioce and her parents lack of care might lead her astray! I’m trying to teach the kids the right thing but it’s hard doing that while their parents believe the opposite. They think their kids are doing fine and that they don’t need to be very involved in their education. I think they think the kids would magically learn everything. I could keep going on about the vauls they teach their kids (if they teach any), but it’ll take forever.

 

[Xantippe]

They are pro same sex marriage, and kinda pro choice (depending on the situation I guess). They use contraceptions and tell their kids about it. My brother believes the CC is the church of christ yet he thinks that the leaders of the church are hiding lots of truth about the faith and that they are misusing their power. He is very into the da Vinci code conspiracy theory. Thankfully with lots of prayer and talks with my 11 year old niece she is pro life now, but I feel the way the kids in her school are pro chioce and her parents lack of care might lead her astray! I’m trying to teach the kids the right thing but it’s hard doing that while their parents believe the opposite. They think their kids are doing fine and that they don’t need to be very involved in their education. I think they think the kids would magically learn everything. I could keep going on about the vauls they teach their kids (if they teach any), but it’ll take forever.

Eh, it sounds like that if your brother and SIL were more involved, the results might turn out to be even worse.

 

[Beryllos]

I suspect Pope Francis is not talking about the three 'R’s, reading, writing and arithmetic.

Parents need to teach their children the other three 'R’s, right, wrong, and religion.

 

[wild_thing]

What IS Pope Francis talking about here? Because I got the impression from a different thread on the same subject that it was about parenting from so called “child experts”. You know, child psychologists and what-have-you telling us something different each week about how you are raising your children the wrong way and they are going to grow up to be serial killers.

 

[edwest2]

Parents have been gradually beaten into submission by ‘experts’ and those who want to destroy the family. The media is the primary guilty party. What kind of behaviors do we see modeled in movies, TV or the radio?

It takes a short amount of time to help your children with their homework, including religious education.

Peace,
Ed

 

[Xantippe]

Parents have been gradually beaten into submission by ‘experts’ and those who want to destroy the family. The media is the primary guilty party. What kind of behaviors do we see modeled in movies, TV or the radio?

It takes a short amount of time to help your children with their homework, including religious education.

Peace,
Ed

Just out of curiosity, do you have any kids? Also, if you do have any kids, are they still K-12 age?

I don’t think I’ve heard any parent with children currently in K-12 say what you just said.

pgeveryday.com/family-life/parenting/article/the-10-school-projects-parents-hate-most

 

[MariaChristi]

I think this is probably specific to different areas of the world.

In much of the contemporary US, parents DREAM of being exiled from their children’s education.

Here’s Amy Welborn, explaining why she decided to homeschool (they’ve since gone back to school, I believe, or are switching back):

"My point was that I have been doing the – (deep breath) – school supplies – does your uniform fit? – your teacher wants what? we just bought all the school supplies – book covers? Why do we have to do bookcovers? – welcome to our SCHOOL FAMILY – parent/teacher meeting – beginning of the year orientation – parent/teacher conferences – giftwrap sales – please return these papers signed on Tuesdays – please return THESE papers signed on Mondays – I have to find an article for music class – but I get extra credit if you go to the PTO meeting! – make an adobe model out of sugar cubes – is your field trip shirt the green one or the blue one? – yes, I signed your planner – wait,don’t throw that away, we need the box tops – SCHOOL FAMILY – you need a check for what? – do you have hot lunch today or not? – candygrams – wait, is it a jeans day today – boosterthon? Try not to run too many laps, okay? – please send cupcakes/cookies/goldfish but NO PEANUTS – POSTERBOARD – SCHOOL FAMILY.

"– thing for twenty-five (25) years.

"God bless ’em, the teachers and administrators. They do so much in a hostile culture and for so little compensation. It’s criminal, really. It’s not about them.

"But me? This chick, who comes from a school family? I need a break.

“From the SCHOOL FAMILY.”

amywelborn.wordpress.com/2012/06/20/amy_welborn_schoo/

Dear Xantippe,

Thanks for the link. I had heard of Amy Wellborn but had not read any of her work so I was glad to read more about her, her late husband and family as I read a lengthy excerpt from her book written five months after her husband Michael’s death.

I’m going to continue responding to posts on this thread, and perhaps I’ll understand better your opening sentences: “I think this is probably specific to different areas of the world. In much of the contemporary US, parents DREAM of being exiled from their children’s education.”

I think the Pope is talking in general terms about parents worldwide.

 

[MariaChristi]

I wish my brother and his wife would listen to Pope Francis and be more involved in their kids education. I fear those kids and their limited knowledge about their faith.

Dear SuS33,

Thanks for your reply. I hope many parents will receive more grace to raise their children in the ways Pope Francis is addressing in his General Audience of last Wednesday.

I suggest you pray (if you are not already doing that) for your brother and his wife and their children, and pray also to the Holy Spirit asking for the graces you need to be a good example for them. It is perhaps, hardest of all to witness to our families. Nevertheless we are “our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers” – we owe them our love in Jesus.

Please let us continue to pray for one another, for all God’s Family, and the world to which His Church is sent – to carry on the Mission of Jesus, as Mary our Mother did.

 

[MariaChristi]

They are pro same sex marriage, and kinda pro choice (depending on the situation I guess). They use contraceptions and tell their kids about it. My brother believes the CC is the church of christ yet he thinks that the leaders of the church are hiding lots of truth about the faith and that they are misusing their power. He is very into the da Vinci code conspiracy theory. Thankfully with lots of prayer and talks with my 11 year old niece she is pro life now, but I feel the way the kids in her school are pro chioce and her parents lack of care might lead her astray! I’m trying to teach the kids the right thing but it’s hard doing that while their parents believe the opposite. They think their kids are doing fine and that they don’t need to be very involved in their education. I think they think the kids would magically learn everything. I could keep going on about the vauls they teach their kids (if they teach any), but it’ll take forever.

Dear SuS33,

You and I, and so many other persons today, have relatives who are so influenced by this world’s values they are “blinded” from seeing the Truth of God’s Revelation. Some may not have had the same opportunities we have had and others may have not used the graces given to them. Only God can judge the heart. May the Holy Spirit keep guiding you in your effort to speak the Truth in love to all in your family.

I’m grateful to Pope Francis for speaking on the issues facing families today. Parenting is not easy, but God gives grace for every difficulty we face in life. Let us continue to pray for one another, for the Church and for the world to which Jesus sent His Church to carry on His Mission. I’m also grateful the Pope has designated a special “Year of Mercy” to begin on Dec. 8, 2015 and end in November 2016, I believe on the Feast of Christ the King.

Prayer especially to Our Lady is very powerful. Pope St. John Paul II told Servant of God Frank Duff : “Remember Victory will come through Mary”.

 

[Xantippe]

I’m going to continue responding to posts on this thread, and perhaps I’ll understand better your opening sentences: “I think this is probably specific to different areas of the world. In much of the contemporary US, parents DREAM of being exiled from their children’s education.”

What I mean is that in “better” schools in the US, school can be a big, time-eating pain, and a lot of parents wish they could just send their kids to school and tell their kids to do homework, rather than getting sucked into various school events and “projects” that can’t possibly be done without heavy parental involvement and using up many, many Saturdays.

Here’s an example of a “project”:

oilf.blogspot.com/2008/06/summer-math-projects-grade-6.html

Katharine Beals, the blogger there, has a written a book entitled “Raising a Left-Brain Child” that has a lot of good material on the project plague.

In our household this year, it’s been science fair (the paperwork alone was harrowing and impossible for a 7th grader to manage), a costume for history fair, a play costume, and all sorts of smaller (but very urgent and gotta do it now!) stuff.

 

[wild_thing]

Here’s an example of a “project”:

oilf.blogspot.com/2008/06/summer-math-projects-grade-6.html

Dear sweet, sweet God, thank You so much for guiding my children to schools where projects don’t seem to be an issue. Because that sounds like hell.

 

[MariaChristi]

What I mean is that in “better” schools in the US, school can be a big, time-eating pain, and a lot of parents wish they could just send their kids to school and tell their kids to do homework, rather than getting sucked into various school events and “projects” that can’t possibly be done without heavy parental involvement and using up many, many Saturdays.

Here’s an example of a “project”:

oilf.blogspot.com/2008/06/summer-math-projects-grade-6.html

Katharine Beals, the blogger there, has a written a book entitled “Raising a Left-Brain Child” that has a lot of good material on the project plague.

In our household this year, it’s been science fair (the paperwork alone was harrowing and impossible for a 7th grader to manage), a costume for history fair, a play costume, and all sorts of smaller (but very urgent and gotta do it now!) stuff.

Dear Xanthippe,

Thanks for your reply and explaining what you meant in your previous post. The Pope may be urging us to deepen our understanding of what is most important – no matter what the school environment might be.

Wherever they live and whatever school children attend, parents gifted with children are also gifted with unique graces from God to help them. First, to know God, love Him and serve Him this world. Second, to guide their children in growing as Jesus did in wisdom age and grace, so they can carry on some work in this world to glorify God and do good for all the human family. It seems to me the Pope is urging families to get back to the basics of “why” learning to read, write, and compute are good to learn, as well as science, history and the many areas of learning … it takes time for parents themselves to keep learning from God the Truth to pass on, lovingly. It takes sincere prayer and effort to be a good person and a good parent and to help children in whatever they need to learn.

When the Pope speaks of experts – I wonder if he is speaking of “self-styled” experts in academia who applaud one another, and continue to come up with “new ideas” that are becoming increasingly detrimental to children. I’m thinking of a psychologist for instance, who said in an interview: "I ask my little son, “What do you feel like today? A boy or a girl?” She is considered enough of an expert to be interviewed. Unfortunately, there are some parents who have so little knowledge of God and His Plan for us, they listen to such sad parenting – more than sad, detrimental to the sound human development of a young child.

Regarding projects, I’ve taught K through college and have always been careful not to assign the “impossible”. I try to help my students to discover the unique gifts God gave each of them and how to use those gifts Trying to help our daughter and granddaughters, I’ve practiced what my own mother taught me, as well as the religious teachers I had in my own schooling. Pray, work – do your best at both. We were expected to do our own work; parents were not to do what we could do ourselves. As a teacher, I wanted my students to become capable and life-long learners. If they needed help they might ask but respectfully and only after legitimately trying. We don’t all have the same gifts and some are more limited than others so it is good for children and adults to know their limits and learn the best ways to help one another, it seems to me.

My Mom raised 6 and we were able to do our homework, and help one another as needed. Parenting is never easy but if we keep our eyes on God, nothing is impossible. I’ve lived in poor places and watched beautiful mothers and fathers nurture their children with good example and encourage them to learn their prayers as well as do their homework. I’ve been blessed also to work with dedicated teachers, but being retired now, I read and see some sad evidence of damage being done in some homes, schools and in our government. This is a long response, but I posted a quote that I hoped would encourage more of us to pray for families – our own and all the families of the world., and to do whatever we can to help our children grow to be the saints God intended each of us to be.

Holy Family of Nazareth, pray for us. Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your Faithful. Kindle in us the Fire of Your Love. Sen forth your spirit and you shall renew the face of the earth,

 

[MariaChristi]

Parents have been gradually beaten into submission by ‘experts’ and those who want to destroy the family. The media is the primary guilty party. What kind of behaviors do we see modeled in movies, TV or the radio?

It takes a short amount of time to help your children with their homework, including religious education.

Peace,
Ed

Dear Ed,

Thanks for your reply. Parents need, however, to resist evil, to accept their responsibilities and pray for God’s Grace. They do not need to be “beaten down into submission”. God has given us the Truth that makes us free; and grace to do the Truth Lovingly. We need to seek His Grace daily to overcome evil with good.

I agree: parents and children both face a world that is becoming more and more hostile to God but He is stronger than evil and with His Help we can do more than we think.
Please let us continue to pray for one another, for the Church and the world to which Jesus sent His Church!

 

[MariaChristi]

Dear sweet, sweet God, thank You so much for guiding my children to schools where projects don’t seem to be an issue. Because that sounds like hell.

Dear wild thing,

Yes, may God be praised for schools and home environments where there is more calmness in learning the basics.

 

[MariaChristi]

What IS Pope Francis talking about here? Because I got the impression from a different thread on the same subject that it was about parenting from so called “child experts”. You know, child psychologists and what-have-you telling us something different each week about how you are raising your children the wrong way and they are going to grow up to be serial killers.

Dear wild thing,

Perhaps if you go back to my original post and the quote from Pope Francis, you can tell me specifically what words Pope Francis used that led you to ask “What IS Pope Francis talking about?” I might be able to respond to you better. I am unaware of the other thread you are referring to but let’s try to keep to what Pope Francis said. OK?

It seems to me the Pope is encouraging parents to listen not so much to “so- called experts” but rather listen more to the Truth given to us in the Word of God. Also:

…Concluding his address, Pope Francis expressed his hope that the Lord will grant families the faith, freedom and courage that is necessary to their mission.

Does that help a bit?

 

[Contra_Mundum_1]

Over the last year my husband and I came to the conclusion that home educating (homeschooling) is the way to go. The reasons are many. Overall, we decided that education will include both moral formation and teaching them the faith, as well as the academic side of it. We’ll see how it all goes, year by year.

I have come to not trust the experts because a lot of what they advocate goes against common sense. There is a lot of contradictory advice and it tends to change quickly.

So many parents blindly trust the experts and are happy to hand their kids over to the state to educate and raise them. They can’t think of the alternative where they are responsible for the children beyond providing food and shelter and keeping them healthy, and many even think it is harmful for the parents to take the educating role. We’ve come to believe many things that experts say, perhaps because that is more convenient than actually making adjustments to prioritise the family.