I need some tips and advice. I am a recently confirmed Catholic. My wife is not, but she is a committed Christian who is very supportive of my decision. I, however, want to raise our daughter Catholic. I have started some Catholic “things” with her, but I don’t know what else I can do. I don’t want to upset my wife, but I want Claire to fall in love with the richness of the Church’s traditions and teachings. Any ideas how I can accomplish this> Thanks in advance.
You don’t say how old your daughter is. If she is old enough to understand, I would expose her to the truth of the Catholic Church. Explain things to her - don’t just do things. Many Catholics “do” things, but have no idea why. Your daughter should know why there is incense at Mass, for example, because non-Catholic Christians will point to his (incense) and make claims against the practice. The “bells”, too.
Don’t be afraid to kindly expose the weaknesses of non-Catholic Christian churches when she’s old enough. Be sure that they will tell your daughter that her faith is wrong, so she should be armed with the truth about her own faith and of theirs. Don’t be afraid to say that their teaching is wrong if it is.
Know your goal. If your goal is to bring your daughter up as a Catholic, don’t let political correctness stand in your way. Teens will interpret anything you say against another faith as “prejudice” and as a sign that you are a close-minded old fogey. Teens believe that they should accept everything–they think it makes them open-minded. And this attitude is promoted in the public schools where they are taught thta every “lifestyle” is as good as the next and that every social idea and government is as valid as the next. Ideally, your daughter’s training should be well underway long before the teen years. But don’t stop talking.
Knowledge is power. An informed Catholic is a strong Catholic.
Just saw your 2nd post. 18 months–a fun age.
There are coloring books, story books, children’s bibles, and toys that are appropriate teaching tools for someone her age. Surround your daughter with the truth of the faith, but don’t make it drudgery. It should be fun, bright, and light. Limiting her exposure to things that are opposed to the faith is a good idea, too. TV is a minefield that needs to be carefully navigated by parents. Parental controls will go a long way to keeping her pres-school years free of wacky role-models. Once she hits school age, you can’t control every influence in her life. As I said earlier, knowledge is power. You can’t fool someone who knows. Your daughter should know her faith. Don’t rely on CCD to teach her all she needs to know. Parents
have to be teachers, too.
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