Decades back, an unexpected pregnancy was a very exciting, happy experience! This was the case because way back then, many couples had in fact been struggling for years - maybe even decades - with infertility, miscarriage, and sterility! Their unexpected pregnancy was a joyful experience.
If you look back in your geneology records, most of you will find an aunt or sister that just couldn't get pregnant even though she and her husband wanted a baby! These childless couples are even mentioned in the Bible! But they were childless - not by choice but by chance and there weren't any answers or solutions for these couples.
The lack of answers and lack of solutions helped preserve the mystery
of conception and fertility!
Fast forward to 2013. We know, words matter but their meaning changes with the times. Today, the term unexpected pregnancy isn't regarded as a joyful experience at all; rather it is presumed to be the woman's fault! When we hear the term we don't really want to know about when or with whom she is having sex. In other words, we really don't care if she is 13 or 45; whether this is her first partner or her 50th partner; whether she loves the individual or not; whether the relationship is a committed one; whether she is committing adultery, or why. We just want to know why she was not managing her birth control better! She should have known better - after all this is 2013 and she could have used the Pill, the Patch, the Plug or been Permanently fixed!
Sexuality is now just one more utilitarian act that demands utilitarian attitudes, approaches, measures and standards. We have stripped away the love. We have stripped away the commitment. We have stripped away the mystery of the conception. We have eradicated the respect for the mystery. We have de-coupled pregnancy from sexual relationships. And it has garnered more infertility and man-imposed sterility than most previous modern day generations. We are well on the road to eradicating future generations in America just because we have thrown the baby out with the love - literally speaking. We are hooked on utilitarian solutions and we will pay for this. We were not made for bread alone.... .
What other consequences are there? What ever happened to expecting men to share in the responsibility and the blame for the sexual partnership? Women pretend that they are now fully emancipated - from old fashioned moral standards and the trappings of traditional marriage. But what a hoax! Women admit to still feeling pressured into having sex with their partner or husband for fear of being dumped for willing female competitors. Why else do women act and dress the way they do? They have made themselves into a commodity.
Why are women the major consumers of birth control products? Why was the HPV vaccine first offered only to young girls? Did you know that the majority of parents refused in large measure to have their girls vaccinated? Because of that refusal to go along with the vaccination program for their young girls, the HHS decided to include boys in the program as well! But why wasn't that inclusion part of their first objective? After all, men and boys infect their partners with HPV; they also acquire devastating cancers just like women!
W have also become dependent on man-made technologies which in the long run helped to change the way we view sexuality. We have turned into a society that serves the technology rather than the other way around. We march to the orders of the technology - we align ourselves with the technology so we are modern, informed, protected, and like everyone else. We have become utilitarians for love of the technology. The technologies reduce human conditions to plumbing problems. What was once mysterious is now mundane! Consequently, we
have failed to hold onto the concept that fertility is a gift - and it
should be treasured and appreciated - not because we want a pregnancy -
but because it just is!
Years ago, a speaker from RESOLVE
(a support group for infertile couples) said that couples came to accept
their infertility faster years ago compared to today's couples because
of the fact that their number of options was next to zero. Today, the
options are multiple and complex - leading couples to think that if they
just had more money - there would be a way. And they are right -
assisted reproduction is a big business but that misses the point of
this article.
Old fashioned morality made sex outside of marriage wrong. Modern morality makes sex outside of marriage the norm ok while making the unexpected pregnancy the new NO-NO. Many young people don't see sex as the problem - they see the baby as the problem. We have again successfully placed the blame on the wrong person! Hasn't that been an age old problem starting with Adam and Eve? The problem is we no longer see our own sins....
At this rate, we really won't ever have to worry about over-population again. But we ought to worry about the state of humanity. We have all just gotten a bit more cheap with our enslavement to things.
So when you hear the term - unexpected pregnancy - what do you think of? What advice do you offer? Who do you blame?
Linda Kracht
www.fortifyingfamiliesoffaith.com
Saturday, September 7, 2013
Tuesday, September 3, 2013
Forgiveness - the Holy Healer
Forgiveness - the holy healer
We have all been injured by someone. Sometimes the injury is minor; sometimes it isn't. Either way it comes our way - physically, mentally, emotionally, verbally.... in playgrounds, grocery stores, homes, parking lots, school, etc.
Today is the first day of school, and we know that some of the kids will bring their emotional hurts to school. It's true, that hurt people hurt people and so the cycle of injury continues... until we decide enough is enough. And that's where forgiveness comes in.
Immaculee Ilibagiza, genocide survivor, teaches us about forgiveness first hand in the book Left to Tell. Immaculee barely survived the Rwanda genocide that took place in the mid 90's in which over one million Rwandans were brutally murdered by fellow Rwandans.... Why did this brutality occur? Fear, hatred, repressed anger, and other usual suspects were the reasons used by neighbors to kill other neighbors. The dead included Immaculee's beloved mother, father, and two brothers.
Americans harbor a lot of the same vices which turn violent when they reach the tipping point. Domestic violence is widespread as is neighborhood or gang violence. There are a lot of hurt people hurting a lot of people.
Bringing violent people to justice is always going to be necessary in order to prevent them from hurting others. But what about the victims? Should they seek justice or vengeance - that is the question.
Immaculee teaches us that only forgiveness can turn hatred and injustice into charity! Pope Francis teaches us the same.... Most of us will never have to forgive someone who killed our family... but all of us will have to forgive someone who says he/she love us.
None of us are perfect and all of us are guilty of being insensitive to others' feelings. All of us lack understanding.All of us are impatient. Who are we to expect someone else to be perfect when we aren't.
But how do we forgive the little offenses? We really can't without some supernatural help. And that is the point of the book! With God all things are possible - even forgiveness for those who try to take from us - even life!
If we don't forgive , we will end up just as hateful and vengeful as the perpetrators.
Immaculee ends with this note: "Tens of thousands who were jailed for killing during he genocide are starting to be released into their old towns and villages. If there was ever a time for forgiveness it is now. Rwanda can be a paradise again, but it till take the love of the entire world to heal my homeland... the love of a single heart can make a world of difference. .... " Her message applies to the US as well.
We continue to be torn and divided by differences in politics, beliefs, and practices. For those of us who say we are Christian, we can change hearts by proving that we love - really. And that takes forgiveness - the supernatural type that comes to us by way of prayer, devotion to the Divine Will, and dying to selfishness and self-centeredness. The Pope has called for a day of sacrifice and fast on Saturday, September 7th for peace in Syria. Let's begin there.
We have all been injured by someone. Sometimes the injury is minor; sometimes it isn't. Either way it comes our way - physically, mentally, emotionally, verbally.... in playgrounds, grocery stores, homes, parking lots, school, etc.
Today is the first day of school, and we know that some of the kids will bring their emotional hurts to school. It's true, that hurt people hurt people and so the cycle of injury continues... until we decide enough is enough. And that's where forgiveness comes in.
Immaculee Ilibagiza, genocide survivor, teaches us about forgiveness first hand in the book Left to Tell. Immaculee barely survived the Rwanda genocide that took place in the mid 90's in which over one million Rwandans were brutally murdered by fellow Rwandans.... Why did this brutality occur? Fear, hatred, repressed anger, and other usual suspects were the reasons used by neighbors to kill other neighbors. The dead included Immaculee's beloved mother, father, and two brothers.
Americans harbor a lot of the same vices which turn violent when they reach the tipping point. Domestic violence is widespread as is neighborhood or gang violence. There are a lot of hurt people hurting a lot of people.
Bringing violent people to justice is always going to be necessary in order to prevent them from hurting others. But what about the victims? Should they seek justice or vengeance - that is the question.
Immaculee teaches us that only forgiveness can turn hatred and injustice into charity! Pope Francis teaches us the same.... Most of us will never have to forgive someone who killed our family... but all of us will have to forgive someone who says he/she love us.
None of us are perfect and all of us are guilty of being insensitive to others' feelings. All of us lack understanding.All of us are impatient. Who are we to expect someone else to be perfect when we aren't.
But how do we forgive the little offenses? We really can't without some supernatural help. And that is the point of the book! With God all things are possible - even forgiveness for those who try to take from us - even life!
If we don't forgive , we will end up just as hateful and vengeful as the perpetrators.
Immaculee ends with this note: "Tens of thousands who were jailed for killing during he genocide are starting to be released into their old towns and villages. If there was ever a time for forgiveness it is now. Rwanda can be a paradise again, but it till take the love of the entire world to heal my homeland... the love of a single heart can make a world of difference. .... " Her message applies to the US as well.
We continue to be torn and divided by differences in politics, beliefs, and practices. For those of us who say we are Christian, we can change hearts by proving that we love - really. And that takes forgiveness - the supernatural type that comes to us by way of prayer, devotion to the Divine Will, and dying to selfishness and self-centeredness. The Pope has called for a day of sacrifice and fast on Saturday, September 7th for peace in Syria. Let's begin there.
Monday, August 26, 2013
Religion, Politics and Money
For at least five generations, it has been taboo to talk about religion, politics and money with just anyone. Sure, it was okay to talk about these things in the privacy of the home but never on street corners, public events, and general dinner parties. That was then - what about now? Is it any different?
Social media has connected people to people in amazing ways. But do these connections really allow for a discussion about things that matter - like faith, religion, politics and money? Does the new social medias help connect people to people by changing hearts, and minds? Does it allow a more civil discourse? Does it move the goal post to caring for others as we should? Do we take time to really think about what someone has posted? Even if it offends us? Do we try and understand where they are coming from? Or do we delete them as a friend instead? Block their postings? Block them out of sight and mind?
Several weeks ago, I posted a fact. The fact came from the US Bureau of Labor and Statistics. It was that upwards of 85% of new jobs created in 2013 were part time ones. The type of jobs that don't help families with children to get ahead. The type of jobs whereby employers do not have to provide health care benefits. The type of jobs that really do not create economic recovery. An innocuous posting - or so I thought. Apparently, the posting violated the social rule to stick to postings about my children, their successes and mine; and how to grow green grass, etc.I say that with certainty because within a few days the comment received from a friend blistered my sensibilities. His comments were personal attacks against me, my beliefs, and my character. I re-posted the facts, this time with a graph and suggested the person get his facts straight - thinking the graph would help. What followed was a full scale attack using language that was verbally abusive, confrontational, foul, and hurtful. and almost threatening.
I had to consider why! Just because I had posted a factual statement about money and the economy? Or because I had posted something that referred to one of the three taboo topics: money, politics and even religion. It is also possible, the friend didn't like my personal recommendation to get the facts straight...
Either way, it makes me wonder if any of us really stop and consider what someone is trying to say! Really? Do any of us think about online postings? Do most of us even bother to comment on each others postings? Are we simply marching down the path of the Culture of Indifference in what seems to be a more sophisticated way - as suggested by Pope Francis. The place where we refuse to discuss things that really matter? After all, now all we have to do is block comments and people and postings that we don't like. Even though we may have thousands of friends, do they really know what we believe? Or are we even more silent than the silent majority of the 60's and 70's?
On another note - but related - I highly recommend the book " Left to Tell" by Immaculee. Her story is amazing... and it prompted this blog. The people of Rawanda seemed to get along even though tell tale signs of turbulence ran just beneath the surface... In a very short time, a full scale war erupted pitting Catholics against Catholics, neighbor against neighbor, father against sons. One million people were massacred within a short period of time just because people failed to understand each other when it came to the things that really mattered: faith, money, and politics.
Pope Francis recently told his priests just do something to counteract the fact that 85% of young Catholics leave the faith when they reach adulthood. Even if the priests make mistakes, at least do something! That pertains to us as well - let's just do something! This begins with talking about things that really matter!
What do you think? Hmmmm. how many of my friends will even bother to read this whole article (yes, I admit - this piece probably does not have much literary value but its important to me) and then post what they think? Go ahead, say what you really think. It feels good.... even if it may not be safe and secure.
Social media has connected people to people in amazing ways. But do these connections really allow for a discussion about things that matter - like faith, religion, politics and money? Does the new social medias help connect people to people by changing hearts, and minds? Does it allow a more civil discourse? Does it move the goal post to caring for others as we should? Do we take time to really think about what someone has posted? Even if it offends us? Do we try and understand where they are coming from? Or do we delete them as a friend instead? Block their postings? Block them out of sight and mind?
Several weeks ago, I posted a fact. The fact came from the US Bureau of Labor and Statistics. It was that upwards of 85% of new jobs created in 2013 were part time ones. The type of jobs that don't help families with children to get ahead. The type of jobs whereby employers do not have to provide health care benefits. The type of jobs that really do not create economic recovery. An innocuous posting - or so I thought. Apparently, the posting violated the social rule to stick to postings about my children, their successes and mine; and how to grow green grass, etc.I say that with certainty because within a few days the comment received from a friend blistered my sensibilities. His comments were personal attacks against me, my beliefs, and my character. I re-posted the facts, this time with a graph and suggested the person get his facts straight - thinking the graph would help. What followed was a full scale attack using language that was verbally abusive, confrontational, foul, and hurtful. and almost threatening.
I had to consider why! Just because I had posted a factual statement about money and the economy? Or because I had posted something that referred to one of the three taboo topics: money, politics and even religion. It is also possible, the friend didn't like my personal recommendation to get the facts straight...
Either way, it makes me wonder if any of us really stop and consider what someone is trying to say! Really? Do any of us think about online postings? Do most of us even bother to comment on each others postings? Are we simply marching down the path of the Culture of Indifference in what seems to be a more sophisticated way - as suggested by Pope Francis. The place where we refuse to discuss things that really matter? After all, now all we have to do is block comments and people and postings that we don't like. Even though we may have thousands of friends, do they really know what we believe? Or are we even more silent than the silent majority of the 60's and 70's?
On another note - but related - I highly recommend the book " Left to Tell" by Immaculee. Her story is amazing... and it prompted this blog. The people of Rawanda seemed to get along even though tell tale signs of turbulence ran just beneath the surface... In a very short time, a full scale war erupted pitting Catholics against Catholics, neighbor against neighbor, father against sons. One million people were massacred within a short period of time just because people failed to understand each other when it came to the things that really mattered: faith, money, and politics.
Pope Francis recently told his priests just do something to counteract the fact that 85% of young Catholics leave the faith when they reach adulthood. Even if the priests make mistakes, at least do something! That pertains to us as well - let's just do something! This begins with talking about things that really matter!
What do you think? Hmmmm. how many of my friends will even bother to read this whole article (yes, I admit - this piece probably does not have much literary value but its important to me) and then post what they think? Go ahead, say what you really think. It feels good.... even if it may not be safe and secure.
Monday, March 11, 2013
When Do I Use the Worksheets?
Parents who attended Parenting Teens: Building Strong Futures are handed a number of worksheets and teaching notes. Some parents wonder what they are for and when they should use them.This posting should clarify questions you may have with regard to their use.
Question 1: How do we know what to do first? Open the parent workbook and at the start of each chapter is a clear set of instructions about what to read, when to watch a video (if one pertains to this section), etc.
Question 2: What do I do with the teaching notes handouts (numbered like 3-1 for instance)? These notes were meant to be background information for parents. You are the teacher and its best to know a bit more than the student you are teaching. In this case the student is your son or daughter. I thought these notes would be helpful information.
Question 3: What do we do with the various worksheets in the wire bound booklet entitled parent materials?
I will include a 'schedule' for each of the following worksheets that will clarify when to use them.
Worksheet Title - page number - when/what to do with worksheet
Parenting Teens - 1 - This is for your own benefit as a parent. Not to be filled out by teen. You can fill this out before getting started, halfway through, at the end of the program, or never. This is entirely for your own self - assessment.
Personality Type - 2 - This may be an interesting worksheet to complete with your teen. I have already noted the characteristics of this type of personality. While none of us fit a type perfectly, it may be an interesting exercise for both parents and teens to go through. Make extra copies before filling the sections in. I would recommend doing this at the start of the first session. Also, have your teen draw an image of himself/herself and keep that with his/her daughters/sons workbook.
Gender Matters - 3 - This worksheet fits nicely at the end of Chapter Three - Speaking on Gender. Please fill out this worksheet and discuss when covering this chapter. Make extra copies if you prefer to have the different people fill them out separately.
What's Your Worldview? - 4 - This is an interesting worksheet to be filled out at the conclusion of the program and when discussion Chapter Ten.
What's your Christian Sense - 5 - This goes with the previous worksheet. Fill it out at the conclusion of the program (when discussing Chapter Ten).
Practical Strategies to Avoid Giving Mixed Messages - 6 & 7 - Read/think about Giving Mixed Messages when covering Chapter One. Discuss this with your teens and have them also fill out the worksheet exercise after defining Mixed Messaging using Handout 6.
I Gotta Have It - 8 - Discuss this worksheet when discussing Materialism found in Chapter Two.
Within this chapter is a discussion about dressing for success, porn, internet, and a few other topics. Be sure to discuss modesty ("it's not that it reveals too much of a person it actually reveals too little about a person" JP ll). Computer usage: limit time spent, main room, passwords, parent supervision.Social media: not before the age of 15... etc.
Group Think - 9 & 10- Group think - another word for group think is mentality. This is arrived at in part due to peer pressure to think like everyone else. It is also accommodated by moral relativism. Use these two worksheets when discussing peer pressure in Chapter Two. Be sure and explain how peer pressure is not just something teens need to be aware of; we are all susceptible to peer pressure. If you recall, group think is doing something perceived to be the norm without questioning the morality of an action, etc.
Assessing Rape Attitudes - 11 - Discuss this when discussing Chapter Four and specifically the section on hooking up and dating. Have teen fill out the survey; discuss results.
Building My Pyramid - 12 - This same worksheet is in the parent and teen workbooks. Work on this when it presents itself in the workbooks.
Cats in the Cradle - 13 - This worksheet is really just the words to a popular song of the 1970's era. It goes well with the previous worksheet. Have teen read the words and write a ballad for himself and you. It will be a fun exercise at re-writing poetry to fit your son/daughter personally.
Assessing your Marriage Attitude - 14 - Have your student (and yourself using a separate copy) fill our this worksheet when covering Chapter Seven - Marriage. BE sure to discuss the results of your teens' attitudes.
Assessing your Tolerance for Divorce - 15 - This worksheet is also to be used during the discussions about Marriage.
Parents: Primary Educators of their Teens- 16 & 17 & 18 - Read worksheet Number 17 and then fill out worksheets 16 & 18. Discuss with teens. They do not have to fill out the parent worksheets 16 & 18, but they should complete worksheet 19. Discuss this at the conclusion of the program - Chapter Ten.
The Bible Teaches Teens- 19 - Have teens fill out this worksheet before discussing 16 and 18 with them. Discuss this at the conclusion of the program - Chapter Ten.
The ISM's - 20 - 21 - A reference guide for parents. To be filled out by parent/teen regularly throughout program. Do not wait until the end of the program to do this. Answer about 5 each chapter.
Technologies that come back to bite - 22- To be discussed when talking about cell phones, computers, social media, etc. Use when discussing Chapter Two. Recall that Gaudium Et Spes, written by Pope Paul Vl, forewarned of the "technologies that recoil on man." It may be helpful to read sections of this encyclical online; have teen review it also.
Our Stairway to Heaven - 23 - Discuss this at the conclusion of the program - Chapter Ten.
Abortion Information - 24 - Background information when discussing Chapter Six.
Question 1: How do we know what to do first? Open the parent workbook and at the start of each chapter is a clear set of instructions about what to read, when to watch a video (if one pertains to this section), etc.
Question 2: What do I do with the teaching notes handouts (numbered like 3-1 for instance)? These notes were meant to be background information for parents. You are the teacher and its best to know a bit more than the student you are teaching. In this case the student is your son or daughter. I thought these notes would be helpful information.
Question 3: What do we do with the various worksheets in the wire bound booklet entitled parent materials?
I will include a 'schedule' for each of the following worksheets that will clarify when to use them.
Worksheet Title - page number - when/what to do with worksheet
Parenting Teens - 1 - This is for your own benefit as a parent. Not to be filled out by teen. You can fill this out before getting started, halfway through, at the end of the program, or never. This is entirely for your own self - assessment.
Personality Type - 2 - This may be an interesting worksheet to complete with your teen. I have already noted the characteristics of this type of personality. While none of us fit a type perfectly, it may be an interesting exercise for both parents and teens to go through. Make extra copies before filling the sections in. I would recommend doing this at the start of the first session. Also, have your teen draw an image of himself/herself and keep that with his/her daughters/sons workbook.
Gender Matters - 3 - This worksheet fits nicely at the end of Chapter Three - Speaking on Gender. Please fill out this worksheet and discuss when covering this chapter. Make extra copies if you prefer to have the different people fill them out separately.
What's Your Worldview? - 4 - This is an interesting worksheet to be filled out at the conclusion of the program and when discussion Chapter Ten.
What's your Christian Sense - 5 - This goes with the previous worksheet. Fill it out at the conclusion of the program (when discussing Chapter Ten).
Practical Strategies to Avoid Giving Mixed Messages - 6 & 7 - Read/think about Giving Mixed Messages when covering Chapter One. Discuss this with your teens and have them also fill out the worksheet exercise after defining Mixed Messaging using Handout 6.
I Gotta Have It - 8 - Discuss this worksheet when discussing Materialism found in Chapter Two.
Within this chapter is a discussion about dressing for success, porn, internet, and a few other topics. Be sure to discuss modesty ("it's not that it reveals too much of a person it actually reveals too little about a person" JP ll). Computer usage: limit time spent, main room, passwords, parent supervision.Social media: not before the age of 15... etc.
Group Think - 9 & 10- Group think - another word for group think is mentality. This is arrived at in part due to peer pressure to think like everyone else. It is also accommodated by moral relativism. Use these two worksheets when discussing peer pressure in Chapter Two. Be sure and explain how peer pressure is not just something teens need to be aware of; we are all susceptible to peer pressure. If you recall, group think is doing something perceived to be the norm without questioning the morality of an action, etc.
Assessing Rape Attitudes - 11 - Discuss this when discussing Chapter Four and specifically the section on hooking up and dating. Have teen fill out the survey; discuss results.
Building My Pyramid - 12 - This same worksheet is in the parent and teen workbooks. Work on this when it presents itself in the workbooks.
Cats in the Cradle - 13 - This worksheet is really just the words to a popular song of the 1970's era. It goes well with the previous worksheet. Have teen read the words and write a ballad for himself and you. It will be a fun exercise at re-writing poetry to fit your son/daughter personally.
Assessing your Marriage Attitude - 14 - Have your student (and yourself using a separate copy) fill our this worksheet when covering Chapter Seven - Marriage. BE sure to discuss the results of your teens' attitudes.
Assessing your Tolerance for Divorce - 15 - This worksheet is also to be used during the discussions about Marriage.
Parents: Primary Educators of their Teens- 16 & 17 & 18 - Read worksheet Number 17 and then fill out worksheets 16 & 18. Discuss with teens. They do not have to fill out the parent worksheets 16 & 18, but they should complete worksheet 19. Discuss this at the conclusion of the program - Chapter Ten.
The Bible Teaches Teens- 19 - Have teens fill out this worksheet before discussing 16 and 18 with them. Discuss this at the conclusion of the program - Chapter Ten.
The ISM's - 20 - 21 - A reference guide for parents. To be filled out by parent/teen regularly throughout program. Do not wait until the end of the program to do this. Answer about 5 each chapter.
Technologies that come back to bite - 22- To be discussed when talking about cell phones, computers, social media, etc. Use when discussing Chapter Two. Recall that Gaudium Et Spes, written by Pope Paul Vl, forewarned of the "technologies that recoil on man." It may be helpful to read sections of this encyclical online; have teen review it also.
Our Stairway to Heaven - 23 - Discuss this at the conclusion of the program - Chapter Ten.
Abortion Information - 24 - Background information when discussing Chapter Six.
Monday, February 25, 2013
Question on parent handout regarding disinterested service
A parent recently asked me to clarify the meaning of the term disinterested service with regard to the duties of parents found in Handout 1:b:
"Create a home where tenderness, forgiveness, respect, fidelity and disinterested service are the rule. In other words, we are to foster loving environments in which our children can flourish and in which there is no partiality. It is the environment by which parents look out for the common good of all members of the family." CCC 2223
The first thought that probably strikes most readers is - this must be wrong! Why would the Catechism teach parents that it is acceptable to show disinterested service when parenting? For most of us, the term disinterest means lack of interest. But that is not that only meaning of the word: disinterested. This term can mean any of the following (according to the Random House Dictionary):
"Create a home where tenderness, forgiveness, respect, fidelity and disinterested service are the rule. In other words, we are to foster loving environments in which our children can flourish and in which there is no partiality. It is the environment by which parents look out for the common good of all members of the family." CCC 2223
The first thought that probably strikes most readers is - this must be wrong! Why would the Catechism teach parents that it is acceptable to show disinterested service when parenting? For most of us, the term disinterest means lack of interest. But that is not that only meaning of the word: disinterested. This term can mean any of the following (according to the Random House Dictionary):
- not influenced by selfish movtives
- unbiased by personal interest or advantage
- not interested; indifferent
Thursday, February 21, 2013
Parenting Teens: Building Strong Futures
To Parents of our Parenting Teens: Building Strong Futures Workshops
After any workshop, it's perfectly normal to have additional questions. These will be posted under the Parenting Teens: Building Strong Futures label; check this out at your convenience and post questions or provide additional insight to the various postings.
We hope you avail yourselves of this label frequently. Please feel free to post comments, questions, or concerns. This section is for you. We decided that most parents are too busy to tune into an online chat but let me know if you decide that you prefer that venue to this one.
You may also send me an email if you choose to use that forum. That address is linda@fortifyingfamiliesoffaith.com
These are the questions sent our way since the last parent workshop:
Comment: Parents of younger children should also have been invited.
Our response: We agree and going forward publicity will state for parents of children ages 12 and older.
Question: What is the order of using the Daughters Forever, Sons Forever curriculum?
Answer: We covered a lot of material at the workshop and I apologize for not making it crystal clear as to what to read or do first, second, third, etc. So let me try and clarify here.
The parent workbook (not the teen workbook) prefaces each section with a detailed To Do List (the teen workbooks just have an abbreviated check list) For instance, section one tells parents to read the Introduction and Chapter one, highlighting points of interest. Then it instructs parents to read the summary in the workbook, complete reflection questions, and then assign reading, workbook, etc. to your teen. It gives other details as well.
Try and finish each section within a month's period of time.
Question: When do we use the parent worksheets handed out in the workshop? I believe they are compiled in a ring-bound booklet called the Parent Handouts?
Answer: The parent handbook contained Seventeen handouts (some handouts have an a and b sheet). We recommend using them as indicated:
Title Handout # When/how
Parenting: Handout 1 - Parents' Personal use only
Gender Matters: Handout 2 - Use during chapter three discussions
Worldview : Handout 3 - Any chapter discussion
Giving Mixed Messages: Handout 4 - Parents' Personal Use only.
Gotta Have it : Handout 5 - Chapter two - Materialism discussions.
Group Think : Handout 6 - Chapter Two - Peer pressure discussions.
Assessing Rape Tolerance: Handout 7 - Chapter Four discussions about Rape.
Building My Pyramid: Handout 8- Chapter Two in workbooks already
Cat In Cradle: Handout 9 - Personal Reflection
Attitude about Marriage?: Handout 10 - Chapter 7 discussions.
Divorce Tolerance: Handout 11 - Chapter 7 discussions.
Parents Primary Educators : Handout 12 - Personal Reflections.
Bible Teaches Parents : Handout 13 - Personal Reflections
Bible teaches teens : Handout 13b -Chapter one discussions; Assign this to teen.
ISMS: Handout 14 - Chapter 10 discussions.
Technology Bites: Handout 15- Chapter two discussions.
Stairway to Heaven: Handout 16 - Conclusion
Abortion Info: Handout 17- Chapter Six discussions
After any workshop, it's perfectly normal to have additional questions. These will be posted under the Parenting Teens: Building Strong Futures label; check this out at your convenience and post questions or provide additional insight to the various postings.
We hope you avail yourselves of this label frequently. Please feel free to post comments, questions, or concerns. This section is for you. We decided that most parents are too busy to tune into an online chat but let me know if you decide that you prefer that venue to this one.
You may also send me an email if you choose to use that forum. That address is linda@fortifyingfamiliesoffaith.com
These are the questions sent our way since the last parent workshop:
Comment: Parents of younger children should also have been invited.
Our response: We agree and going forward publicity will state for parents of children ages 12 and older.
Question: What is the order of using the Daughters Forever, Sons Forever curriculum?
Answer: We covered a lot of material at the workshop and I apologize for not making it crystal clear as to what to read or do first, second, third, etc. So let me try and clarify here.
The parent workbook (not the teen workbook) prefaces each section with a detailed To Do List (the teen workbooks just have an abbreviated check list) For instance, section one tells parents to read the Introduction and Chapter one, highlighting points of interest. Then it instructs parents to read the summary in the workbook, complete reflection questions, and then assign reading, workbook, etc. to your teen. It gives other details as well.
Try and finish each section within a month's period of time.
Question: When do we use the parent worksheets handed out in the workshop? I believe they are compiled in a ring-bound booklet called the Parent Handouts?
Answer: The parent handbook contained Seventeen handouts (some handouts have an a and b sheet). We recommend using them as indicated:
Title Handout # When/how
Parenting: Handout 1 - Parents' Personal use only
Gender Matters: Handout 2 - Use during chapter three discussions
Worldview : Handout 3 - Any chapter discussion
Giving Mixed Messages: Handout 4 - Parents' Personal Use only.
Gotta Have it : Handout 5 - Chapter two - Materialism discussions.
Group Think : Handout 6 - Chapter Two - Peer pressure discussions.
Assessing Rape Tolerance: Handout 7 - Chapter Four discussions about Rape.
Building My Pyramid: Handout 8- Chapter Two in workbooks already
Cat In Cradle: Handout 9 - Personal Reflection
Attitude about Marriage?: Handout 10 - Chapter 7 discussions.
Divorce Tolerance: Handout 11 - Chapter 7 discussions.
Parents Primary Educators : Handout 12 - Personal Reflections.
Bible Teaches Parents : Handout 13 - Personal Reflections
Bible teaches teens : Handout 13b -Chapter one discussions; Assign this to teen.
ISMS: Handout 14 - Chapter 10 discussions.
Technology Bites: Handout 15- Chapter two discussions.
Stairway to Heaven: Handout 16 - Conclusion
Abortion Info: Handout 17- Chapter Six discussions
Thursday, February 7, 2013
Daughters Forever, Sons Forever
Many parents have asked me when should we be talking about sexuality issues with our adolescents or teens. My reply: all the time! To get started it will be helpful to use Daughters Forever, Sons Forever Curriculum. This book helps parents connect with their adolescent and teen about faith, sexuality and family values. If you don't get started talking about all things that matter, your adolescent and teen will find answers somewhere else!We help prepare parents for this role by introducing them to a number of important topics during our Parenting Teens: Building Strong Futures parent workshops. The St. Agnes Schools has invited us to present this workshop on Saturday, March 9, 2013 from 8:30 to 5:00 pm. You are all invited to attend. Then we travel to Baton Rouge to put on a similar workshop for parents of adolescents and teens. This program will be available in Spanish and English and will be held on April 27. 2013.
Feel free to help spread the word...
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| Daughters Forever, Sons Forever Curriculum |
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes
Isn’t this a beautiful stained glass image? It was sent to
be by Rachel Curling of Texas.
Stained Glass images are so beautiful in color and
artistry. I love the detail!
Rachel pointed out that this is an image representing The Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes which is right around
the corner. February 11, 2013! Thanks for sharing this image with me Rachel. And thought you all would appreciate me sharing her generosity with you! Linda Kracht
Rachel's note to me on 2/5/2013:
Great blog!
Thanks so much for sharing!
I think we
can help each other. I am a stained glass artist who creates art, but I am not
much of a writer. You write, but you could probably use some images to help you
get your message across.
February
11th celebrates the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes. I have attached a stained
glass window we made for the occasion. If you want to feature a window as an
illustration for one of your blog posts, I would be honored. I would appreciate
attribution and a link, something like: “Stained glass window by Stained Glass
Inc. www.StainedGlassInc.com “ or “ Stained glass image courtesy of
www.StainedGlassInc.com”.
Here is the
direct link to the image on our website
http://stainedglassinc.com/panel-4000.html#.UQ_sb2eStI0 and a link to the image itself
http://stainedglassinc.com/images/glass/panels/large/5520.jpg Please let me
know if you choose to use our image. I’d love to see it in your blog.
Thank you
and God bless,
Rachel
Curling
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