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SeaStar
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| Posted: June 27 2012 at 5:22pm | IP Logged
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OK, so... going to confession is not on the top 10 list of things my kids like to do. During the school year we go once a month with our HS group. They don't like it, but in this case peer pressure is a good thing.
During the summer... it is work getting them to the car, into the church, etc.
They will go, but dragging and complaining all the way.
And that is not how I want them to think of this great sacrament.
So I am looking for ideas/advice/strategies (all the while praying) to get my family excited about Reconciliation.
if you have any thoughts, please share!
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Melinda, mom to ds ('02) and dd ('04)
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Elena
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| Posted: June 27 2012 at 8:48pm | IP Logged
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I would suggest sitting down after dinner with them and doing an Examination of Conscience - nothing like a little good old fashioned Catholic Guilt to remind them of why they really SHOULD go to confession!
http://beanamazingcatechist.com/1/post/2011/01/examination-o f-conscience.html 
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Elena
Wife to Peter, mom of many!
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JodieLyn
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| Posted: June 27 2012 at 9:29pm | IP Logged
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and nothing like a bit of "bribery" either.. you know stopping in somewhere for a bit of treat afterward to "celebrate" won't hurt 
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Jodie, wife to Dave
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Mimip
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| Posted: June 28 2012 at 6:43am | IP Logged
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We do the ice cream after confession thing here.
Oh and BTW the two that can go to confession (They are 12 and 10) get bigger ice creams than their siblings because they are older and "get" to go to confession. They can also choose a topping or a shake. Their little brothers are desperately wanting confession just so they can get a bigger size ice cream:)
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Mimi
Wife of 16 years to Tom, Mom of DD'00, DD'02, '04(in heaven) DS'05, DS'08 and DS '12
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SeaStar
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| Posted: June 28 2012 at 6:53am | IP Logged
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Oh, good- I was thinking that a treat after would be just the thing. I wish I didn't have to resort to that, but it's a work in progress, right?
Don Bosco lured people to mass with his juggling show, after all...
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Melinda, mom to ds ('02) and dd ('04)
SQUILT Music Appreciation
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guitarnan
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| Posted: June 28 2012 at 7:54am | IP Logged
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CrunchyMom
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| Posted: June 28 2012 at 7:55am | IP Logged
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SeaStar wrote:
Oh, good- I was thinking that a treat after would be just the thing. I wish I didn't have to resort to that, but it's a work in progress, right?
Don Bosco lured people to mass with his juggling show, after all... |
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Alice Cantrell gave a talk years ago in which she described how, when she was a child, they always went out for a treat (maybe ice cream?) after a particular mass or something (it might have been confession? I can't remember at all, though if I scrounged, I might find my notes). She was making the point that this ritual helped cement a love for that particular outing.
I don't think you have to look at it as "bribery." Look at is as reinforcing the "sweetness" that comes of having a fresh, clean soul.
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Lindsay
Five Boys(6/04) (6/06) (9/08)(3/11),(7/13), and 1 girl (5/16)
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JennGM
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| Posted: June 28 2012 at 9:02am | IP Logged
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I really liked how positive the preparation for Confession was for my son using the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. I try to refresh some of that focus. So we discuss the Vine and the Branches, how we want to bear good fruit. Have we created any kinks or breaks in the sap (grace) flowing from the vine to us? Am I not being open to His love or loving Him the best that I can? So that is one thing that we do -- that is an examination of conscience.
I have regularly scheduled appointments with my spiritual director every two weeks. During the summer he comes with me at the same time, and during the school year he goes after atrium. I give him the option to go every two weeks or once a month, but usually he want the biweekly. So seeing family members go, and have a positive attitude makes it a family outing, so there is no hedging about...this is what we're doing.
Finally, I talk about the positive aspects of confession. It's not only about unburdening and guilt, but it's about talking to Christ, getting the extra graces. We talk about examples of holy people who go (or went) to confession regularly. Pope JPII went every day, and now so does B16! Giving examples of seeing how even people who are seemingly not doing anything evil or sinful but use confession gives the positive outlook. It's not all about guilt.
We just finished this great book on St. John Vianney by Magnificat. It is powerful in giving an aspect of the power and beauty of confession.
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Jennifer G. Miller
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mommy4ever
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| Posted: July 16 2012 at 7:49am | IP Logged
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I am not sure I can help, my 2 have just received sacraments in the last few months. I go at least monthly now, or sooner, depending how I am feeling.
During their first Reconciliation, the kids were disappointed,the priest they hoped to see was away, so it was the associate pastor celebrating with them, and about 6 other priests joining for this occasion.
I'll say at this point that neither dd13 or dd8 wanted to go. It was with reluctance. i prepared them as best I could, we read stories, found appropriate examinations. My girls had the benefit of having 2 seminarians in their class that spoke very highly of the sacrament. That it was, to them, a very important,and their favorite sacrament. The sacrament of Reconciliation really demands something of you, something that is really hard for many people, to set aside their pride, the 'image' of who they are, which I imagine is why there is not much of a line up to go. It is an act of submission and obedience to God and His church, to be willing to tell your sins. It is an act of courage and love, as it isn't easy to admit to your sins especially out loud. So to receive it, you are working for it each and every time. They told them that the feeling afterward was so great.
At their first reconciliation, Fr. said something that really spoke to dd13. That to him, the sacrament was very special. He said he often goes in feeling heavy, like an over full back pack that is dragging him down. As a child he remembers fearing to go at times because he'd been so bad. But, the only thing that kept him going was that afterward, he felt so wonderful. He said it was like being a helium balloon, that just wanted to rise off the ground and float. DD13 took that attitude with her. She chose the friendliest looking priest that day, it was face to face, and they had a really good talk. She walked away with a huge smile on her face telling me, that Fr. was right she felt light. Not sure how she'll do when we go next as we will not be part of a big celebration with visiting priests, and she knows both of the priests that may be there, and they know my family..lol. So as I said, I'm not overly qualified here.
I agree a small celebration after reconciliation is a good thing. I will add this to our routine. It will keep the experience positive.
I can understand where the children are coming from. There are times as I sit preparing to go, that I nearly talk myself out of it. I understand the anxiety that goes with it.
My parents never once brought me to reconciliation, nor have i seen them go. That doesn't mean they don't go, it just might be a very private thing for them, but I have no idea to this day. That may be why for me it took so long to get things right. I had no example to follow.
I think that you are going as a family will go a LONG LONG way. You're making it important in your life, so it will be important to them too.
I recall reading a blog entry by a priest recently. That people don't want to go because it shows that they are weak, and the priests, whom the respect so much, are seeing them at their lowest point. But the priest stated that in fact it isn't at their weakest but at their bravest. to come and set aside the pride, was a very brave, honorable and obedient thing to do, things that the secular world doesn't really recognize as being all that admirable. It changed my perspective a whole bunch.
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4Real Forums : Domestic Church
Topic: Confession: Motivating kids to go
