Religious (catholic) mommies

How and when did you teach your children about God?

at the risk of sounding like a hypocrite, I am not overly religious but I want dd to know God, to pray, etc

I thought it would be nice for us to start saying prayers at night together

can someone lead me in the right direction>?

TIA

Re: Religious (catholic) mommies

we go to church every Sunday.
we don't pray at meals- but that sounds like a very nice idea.

Re: Religious (catholic) mommies

We started saying prayers a long time ago before bed time.

I havent brought her to church yet because I dont usually go but I definately have to start.

I point churches out to her and she asks me what I am doing when I bless myself.

Re: Religious (catholic) mommies

we go to church...I constantly tell him its "God's house" so he knows where and why we are going.

I have religious books I throw into our reading mix.

We pray at night.

Recently I started singing with him kiddie religious songs...I feel like a zealot! but you learn a lot from the songs...

Message edited 6/3/2009 12:44:09 PM.

Re: Religious (catholic) mommies

I say prayers with DD nightly of course she doe snot know she's 10 months but I want her to get used to the routine so when she begins to understand she'll know its prayer time. i'm not overly religious either but its important I think they may fully understand about 2

Re: Religious (catholic) mommies

We haven't started church - but I know we should. Maybe we'll go this summer.

Prayers - he has a taggie prayer book and another little "thank you god" book that we read to him.

So, we're not doing A LOT, but he's young and God is sort of "discussed".

Re: Religious (catholic) mommies

for those nervous of starting church...don't commit to the full hour at first...

our church is across the street from a target...so he knows we will go to target after church...he gets a book from the dollar bin for sitting and listening in God's house.

Re: Religious (catholic) mommies

Re: Religious (catholic) mommies

i say act of contriction(sp)

then just bless dad, his friends...things like that.

Re: Religious (catholic) mommies

I would start with a little prayer bear-it would make it fun for her. When the bear is finished you can add a little "God bless daddy and mommy and xxxx".

prayer bear



This guy is a little pricey but you can probably find him on ebay.

Re: Religious (catholic) mommies

this is a cute one for kids:

Thank You, God

The sun so bright up in the sky.
The moon I see way, way up high!
The soft green grass, the plants, the trees
are special gifts
God made for me.

All the people that I love
are blessed by Jesus up above.
My neighbors, friends and family
are special gifts God gave to me.

What gift can I give you my God
in heaven up above?
The thing you want the most from me
is pure and simple...
Love!

Re: Religious (catholic) mommies

At around 3 months old we started "Now we
lay me down to sleep" before he goes to bed. He also has some religious books that I read to him. So not too much yet but I think we're going to start taking him to Church soon.

Re: Religious (catholic) mommies

We do go to church sometimes, but not regularly. They've recently started going to church with my ILs when we don't go. I need to start praying with them regularly.

We also have a Children's Bible that we read to the kids once in a while. It's similar to this one

Re: Religious (catholic) mommies

It's part of our lives. We live it, so we don't necessarily teach/preach it to her.

We go to church weekly and on holy days and when we want to. We pray at meals, in the morning, at nightime. The children's bible is part of our reading rotation.

I'm sure she won't understand why we do things until she's older, but she knows we do them and (sometimes) how to act accordingly.

Just be a good role model.

Re: Religious (catholic) mommies

We are not overly religious either, but my mom is and started talking to her about Jesus when she got her a rosery. She also has a book about Jesus and started asking questions and I answer as simple and best I could. I would say this started around 2. Now she knows the "Jesus loves me" song.

Re: Religious (catholic) mommies

Re: Religious (catholic) mommies

We go to Church (though not as regularly as pre-DD days ... she can be a nightmare).

We have been reading God/Jesus books since she was born (we have MANY).

We pray every night. I do the sign of the cross with her and say a prayer (from a cross we have in her bedroom).
"Dear Jesus, watch me through the night, and keep me safe within your sight. Bless me in your loving way, and wake me with the light of day."

We also pray for people e.g. "Please bless Grandma" and I will likely start saying the Our Father with her soon.