Also parents should keep an eye on what the teens are reading online. Much of what Saints and past Popes have written is excellent…BUT…it should be digested by someone with a firm grounding in Catholicism.
Much of the scrupulous people have read ONLY that the slightest misstep and you are doomed. That is not true, for we have the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and also that is NOT what the authors intended! Admonishing sinners is something that is necessary. But when a very young person reads this they may think "What’s the use? I’ve got to go to confession constantly, and then I have to question whether or not it really “took”. This is poor formation. YES, be chaste. Yes be holy, YES be good. It’s a great message, but in the hands of someone who is easily frightened, not clear on content or weight of said content…it’s disastrous.
participation in a good youth group without fear piled on by parents that the teachers are not good enough, the message is diluted, etc. That adds on more anxiety. When will people learn not to project their own fears on their kids and not to discuss such things in their presence? Worried about the Youth Minister? HELP HIM. Worried about content? Preview it, and speak with the pastor calmly.
Discuss the FAITH over the dinner table. Not the worthiness of the pastor or Youth Catechists.
Online anonymous counseling for teens is nuts. I’ll bet 90% of the parents of teens here have no idea what they are talking about.
