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SeaStar Forum Moderator
Joined: Sept 16 2006
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Posted: Aug 02 2008 at 8:43pm | IP Logged
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I just scared the pants off my dc by showing them the CCC video "The Day the Sun Danced" about Our Lady of Fatima.
Fatima has come up several times around here lately- we even got a beautiful picture of Our Lady of Fatima in the mail, out of the blue.
I sat with them and watched the show and tried to answer all their questions, but they were A) scared- especially when the police guy says he's going to boil the children in oil and B) very impressed by the "short way" of saying the rosary (just saying Our Father, Hail Mary, etc on the beads, not the full Prayers).
My ds is terrified to go to sleep now without saying a Hail Mary.
And they want to watch it again!
What do I do now?
__________________ Melinda, mom to ds ('02) and dd ('04)
SQUILT Music Appreciation
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LeeAnn Forum Pro
Joined: May 25 2007 Location: Washington
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Posted: Aug 02 2008 at 9:02pm | IP Logged
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Hmm, hide the video or loan it out for an extended period of time.
Then, distract by showing something else new but less alarming (the guardian angel episode--My Friend?).
Answer questions with fear-squelching matter of factness and lightheartedness. Example: Yes, that mean man said that to those kids--can you imagine such a thing happening now? I can't! I think it was pretty scary. Maybe they should have changed it to dipping them in chocolate! I'd like that a lot better!
It may have been the reality, but obviously it's a reality your children are too young for, so distracting without deceiving would be my course of action. When they're older there is plenty of time to talk about the reality of being persecuted for the Faith.
As for wanting to say prayers the quickie way, it is probably a novelty that will wear off soon. Hopefully if they've tried it a couple times they'll realize they don't feel the same after praying the quickie version as they do the real thing. If not, just explain to them that what the children were doing in the movie was the *wrong* way to pray and that Mary scolded them for it. It isn't respectful to rush our prayers. God deserves as much time in prayer as we can give Him.
I hope that helps!
FWIW, some of the other CCC videos have some tense situations in them too. I would pre-screen them next time. Being sold into slavery, sacrifices to pagan gods, etc.
__________________ my four children are 17, 15, 11 & 8 - all now attend public school - we read many 4Real recommended books at home
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JennGM Forum Moderator
Joined: Feb 07 2005 Location: Virginia
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Posted: Aug 02 2008 at 9:14pm | IP Logged
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Melinda, I have a boy, but very sensitive. We had a similar reaction to CCC's St. Nicholas video. But the way we treated it was discussing the scary parts. He wanted to watch it again, and that actually helped. I sat with him and talked him through it all.
__________________ Jennifer G. Miller
Wife to & ds1 '03 & ds2 '07
Family in Feast and Feria
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Mackfam Board Moderator
Non Nobis
Joined: April 24 2006 Location: Alabama
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Posted: Aug 04 2008 at 7:18pm | IP Logged
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Melinda,
My children are pretty sensitive to the CCC videos as well. In the past, I have simply removed it from circulation for a little while to put a little time between the video and the children. Then we discuss the story. I might try to read a picture book to them, and then I reintroduce. I sit with them for the viewing the next couple of times.
My ds was actually more disturbed when we read about Our Lady giving the children a vision of Hell. It really disturbed him. But, he was completely impressed when Our Lady told Francisco he would go to Heaven, but only after he prayed many Rosaries. And then to read how Francisco very devotedly prayed many Rosaries after that - I can tell it really spoke to his little heart. But, that's neither here nor there and doesn't answer your question.
Be gentle and emphasize our Sweet Mother's tender nature. As you pray gently with the children, I think they will be less motivated by fear and more by a genuine love for their Heavenly Mother.
I do empathize with your situation, though. I, too have very sensitive children.
__________________ Jen Mackintosh
Wife to Rob, mom to dd 19, ds 16, ds 11, dd 8, and dd 3
Wildflowers and Marbles
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SeaStar Forum Moderator
Joined: Sept 16 2006
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Posted: Aug 04 2008 at 8:42pm | IP Logged
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Oh, I am so glad to hear this has happened in other families. We had such great luck with the "Princess of Lourdes"- the kids love that one and watch it over and over.
I am a little reluctant to try any of the others now. I will definitely preview them.
Thank you.
__________________ Melinda, mom to ds ('02) and dd ('04)
SQUILT Music Appreciation
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