After a long week of attending school, children may sometimes feel less than enthusiastic about attending their scheduled Catechism class. I distinctly remember driving my older daughter to Sunday morning Catechism class when she was in first grade and her complaining to me that she didn’t want to go to “more school” on the weekends. Since I fully intended both my children to attend Catechism class until at least eight grade and make all their Holy Sacraments, I needed to turn this attitude around as quickly as possible. Otherwise, my children and I faced many more years ahead of us with a negative attitude towards attending weekly Catechism class. This article will offer tips and suggestions for making attending Catechism class the positive and enriching experience it is meant to be.
Discuss The Importance Religion Has To Your Family. I went to Catholic school growing up so I never attended an outside Catechism class. Since I couldn’t discuss any personal experiences with Catechism class with my daughter, I instead had a simple and age appropriate conversation with her about the significance that Religion has had in my life and that I wanted to share that with her. I explained that being educated in the basics of Catholicism starting at a young age prepares you for a lifelong relationship with God. I kept my words simple but heartfelt and told her that because her and her sister were the most important people in the world to me, I wanted them to feel the love and care from God throughout their entire life, just as I always have.
Accentuate The Positive. Immediately upon returning from Catechism class that day, I had my daughter name three things she really liked about the class. I then let her share what she didn’t like about the class. By allowing her to focus in on what she truly enjoyed, she realized that there was more that she truly liked and enjoyed about the class than what she didn’t. I explained that just like school, there would be certain aspects that were not her favorite, but that it was all important and to always try her very best.
Walk The Walk, Instead Of Just Talking The Talk. Although I have always tried to make it to Church every week, I have had many weekends where I was simply too tired and less than motivated to take two young children to Mass with me while my husband was at work. This important conversation with my daughter made me realize that to truly show how important Religion was to our family, I needed to make attending Church every weekend a priority. My daughter needed to see and experience the priority of Religion was to our family, not just be told. I also made saying our nightly prayers together a more regular routine.
Change Catechism Classes Or Churches If Necessary. Your child’s religious training is in your hands. If there are elements of the child’s Catechism class make you uncomfortable or you are not being spiritually fulfilled in your Church, do not be afraid to make a change. After my daughters attended two years of Catechism class at the Church we belonged to from the time we moved here, I became increasingly dissatisfied with the teachers and the head of the program in particular. After voicing my strong opinions to the Pastor of my Church and being told that no changes would be made, I changed Churches. My children now attend Catechism class at our new Church and we all are much happier. My children look forward to attending their weekly Catechism class knowing they are going to a place where there is smiles, hugs and positive feedback.
By helping your child to see attending weekly Catechism class as a positive and fulfilling experience, you are laying the groundwork for a life that is enhanced and supported by your family’s Religion.
