We’re All in This Together
[These are responses to round-table discussions the 7 th and 8 th grade parents had on the opening night for faith formation, 2007-2008]
All for One and One for All
St. Joe parents discuss
life with 7th and 8th grade children
How do you pray with your young adolescent?
Spontaneous, at church, meal times, bedtime
How do you talk about your faith?
Problems or specific incidents are teachable moments. Anxieties, etc.
Using examples from daily living
Find opportunities to coach
At dinner table, when a changing event happens
How do you handle IM/internet usage?
Limit time, lock, keep computer in view
Not allow until they are older
What changes have you seen in your son or daughter?
Asking mature questions, more responsibility, more self aware, independent
More social changes, concerned about looks and clothes
Moodier, very busy, making more choices
What curfew do you set?
It varies from 9 pm for middle school to midnight for senior high, and for the event
How do you find out what’s going on in your kids’ life?
Network with other parents – listen to your kids when they interact with their friends. Be present. Talk to their friends.
Ask
Listen
Be a part of their life
If it costs over $164K to raise a child, without tuition, what do you get?
Memories, sense of satisfaction, lifetime of love – unsolicited hugs. Learn and grow from my kids. It keeps you young.
A good person who contributes to society
Can’t put a price on it
If you have a day when, if you were your own boss, you’d fire yourself as a parent, what do you do?
Talk about, take a break, regroup, apologize
‘fess up
