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Parenting
Ways to be a pro-life family
January marks the 45th anniversary of Roe v. Wade and the annual March for Life, so it's a natural time to promote respect for life from conception to natural end. But what does it mean to “respect life”? What does it mean to be “pro-life”?…
Prayer aware: Five ideas to help your children become more attentive at family prayer time
Many people ask me how I get my children to pay attention during family prayer time. They admit that their own children drift off during family prayers even after a minute or two. They wonder how they can encourage their own children…
Five ways to support a mom with young children in your parish
Every parish has a few families with young children. You may have seen the mom who is juggling a baby, the baby’s snacks, a restless preschooler, a diaper bag, and a few other things. Wherever the family goes, it looks like a mobile zoo…
The man on the train
A litany of children sticky with candy cane juice jammed the aisle of the Chicago Transit Authority holiday train, grasping for an early glimpse of Santa. Our entire suburban neighborhood, including my husband Sean and our two kids,…
Parenting Mary’s Way
What do you do when your kids aren’t doing what you want them to do, or worse, when they’re doing everything you’ve taught them not to do? That was the very conversation I was having with an editor from Ave Maria Press two summers ago when…
Teaching Children About Biblical Typology
Biblical typology is an area of Scripture study that points out persons and events in the Old Testament called “types,” prophetic signs of Jesus in his incarnation, teachings, death, and resurrection. Calling Jesus “the New Adam” and Mary…
Cool Aid
Who says school’s out for the summer? This summer first-aid primer offers a crash course on preventing and treating common summertime afflictions. The creepy crawlies From fire ants to mosquitoes, there are an awful lot of biting critters…
Overcoming Tragedy
The joy of having special-needs children
Confronting Homosexuality in Catholic High School
Q.Recently, a boy at my daughter’s Catholic high school revealed to his lunch table buddies that he is gay. The group was caught off guard, but not surprised. After a few days, the novelty of this news wore off and the general feeling on…
Praying with our kids
From the Rosary to Advent blessings, three Catholic families tell what they've learned about helping their children pray
