The lesson: it is the size of our generosity, not the size of our act, that makes the difference. 6. Every day, you walk around your house and collect 40 things to donate or throw away every day, until Lent ends. Your Fortnite account will still be there when Lent is over. The distribution of ashes reminds us of our own mortality and calls us to repentance. You could even try these daily prayer cards (we use them). Thats when I decided to list 40 things kids can give up or take on for Lent. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops posts information about fasting and abstinence requirements on the Fasting and Abstinence page of its website, usccb.org. Giving up on some of them may lead to healthy habits you can practice throughout the year. Maybe there is something similar there, so teens can give up their hair to a higher cause. Remember your words become their inner voice. Or, encourage kids to share by donating the money they saved from their sacrifices (for example, giving up junk food) to a charitable cause. Taking on something refers to almsgiving, prayer moments, and Lent activities for kids. 2) Packing school lunches: Be honest, you hate doing this anyway. It is harder than most people think since it is such a habit & routine of mine (I just stop on the way home from preschool at McDonalds & grab a diet coke every day). Offer to teach a skill to a peer (are you good at Math or Reading?). However, deciding what to give up for Lent is much more difficult for a kid. I give up alcohol or caffeine, but I thought about social media/phone time this year. Check outCelebrating Reconciliation with Kids: 9 Ways to Get Into the Habitfor help. New Subscription Some of the links in my posts are affiliate links. It can go beyond not eating ice cream or not having candy, but we often overlook these things. Each day during the 40 days of Lent, pick a different thing to give up or an activity to take on. It may or may not be an idol. After years of shuffling things around, I finally cracked the code and developed an organization method that works and systems that stick. Sugar. If your family hasnt been to confession this year, calendar it for Lent. Love these ideas! IT. These 10 ideas for Lent are for you & your family. My girls and I have ordered a prayer bracelet making package for Mercy House in Africa (wearethatfamy.com). ). 9. I think that is a great idea to give up eating after supper, and probably everyone could benefit from complaining less. Let your children pick anything from this list in no particular order. The point of this rant: Thank you very much! I would love to welcome you if you are new to Lent and the whole giving something up idea, whether you have never practiced Lent or because youre a recent Catholic convert. Teens and pre-teens can carry a rosary with them, using it to pray throughout the day. When fasting and abstinence are hard, we are moved to turn to God in prayer for help. UGH! If you havent introduced your kids to the ancient practice of Lectio Divina yet, this Lent may be the time to do it. Thanks for the ideas I think you meant Shrive Tuesday vs Thursday above in the history of Lent. She suggests that kids and teens be encouraged to share their stories in order to push throughpush through their resistance to being open and vulnerable with others. Out-Of-The-Box Ideas For Lent. During the "Great Lent," they cannot eat meat, fish, eggs, or butter. Give up transportation. encourage kids to make extra sacrifices with St. Therese's sacrifice beads. For example: You can probably think of more. Strengthening the will. Teens can commit to putting down their phone (or other electronic device) when someone is present with them. Be sure to tell your friends and family you are giving up your phone at 6 p.m. so they know how to get a hold of you. Privacy Statement, Celebrate the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe with your kids, Why we pray, fast and give alms during Lent, Fasting for Lent: 11 ideas for what kids & teens can give up. You can underline Lent as a time to renew our baptismal commitment by making holy water available for your kids to bless themselvesat the beginning of the day, at the end of the day, or when they go out of the house. Gift Subscription Spend at least half an hour each day in meaningful conversation with your spouse. The hardest for me is to get in the right mental place to make it happen. The clerk at the store today was really rude today. or I wish Mickey (my husband) would have given the boys a bath before I got home from the store. or even Wow- those kids are really loud at that table, when while we are out to eat I wonder if their Mom is going to tell them to be a little quieter at dinner? Forgetting to talk with loved ones. Your phone. Late-night eating? Dining out. Before Lent, ask trusted friends and family members, What area of my character do you think I need to work on the most?Or ask: Whats one thing that I do that annoys you the most?Hearingthe answers to those questionswithout getting defensive willoffer a great opportunity for practicing humility! Snacks for Silence - If you enjoy an afternoon or before bed snack, use Lent as a time to give up the snack and instead have a moment of . I am the wife to Mickey & the mom to four little blessings! Ever. It was great to have the group support. 7. I will share this with a few friends, and I look forward to doing/not doing a few things this Lent. Instead of hitting the big tourist destinations, look for local venues or activities that you didn't know about. We recall those waters in which we were baptized into Christs death, died to sin and evil, and began new life in Christ., Translation for youngerkids: Lent is a time when we practice new ways of giving up sin and doing good so we can be closer to God., The traditional practices of Lent, drawn from Jesus Sermon on the Mount, arealmsgiving (. Go to the supermarket, pick out food for the poor and bring it to your local church or food bank. For example, instead of just saying, Ill stop fighting with my sister, sit down and figure out specific actions that will lead to a conversion in this area. I added this one because I feel like its a great thing to give up for lent complaining and speaking negatively. Bulk Subscription, About Lent is not something celebrated in the environments that I find myself in and an ex-colleague of mine has often bemoaned how we sort of fall into Easter, without spending time beforehand contemplating, being mindful, or preparing our hearts. You also will try to refrain from what you gave up for Lent. DIY Easter Bunny Footprints & Bunny Tracks (and a bunny letter!). Here are some strategies for helping your kidsget involved in these traditional penitential practices. The purpose of it is to prepare the hearts of the believers for Easter. Give up shopping (dont spend unnecessary money on clothes, technology, entertainment, etc. What will youGive up for Lent? Fasting during during lent means 1 full meal and 2 smaller meals not to equal the full meal and we are encouraged not to eat between meals but liquids are allowedso number 6 is kind of questionable (not eating after dinner) for me. If you struggle with your emotions, especially anger, consider kickboxing. Let your Lent fast do double duty by giving up something that will benefit Gods creation as well. Spending freeze for 40 days. This may be something to consider if you spend hours in front of the mirror instead of in the Bible. 3. Great ideas! Is that politically incorrect to say one celebration is more important than the other?) This one is easy & not really out-of-the-box, but it is my struggle, so I had to include it. LifeTeen has posted several fun lists of teen-specific fasting ideas, some of which would be good for older kids, too. Coffee for Water - During Lent, trade in your morning coffee for a glass of water and say a prayer for those in the world experiencing a water shortage or limited access to drinking water. 5. Thanks for sharing! I tried this one year and it was VERY hard. (Source:catholicism.about.com). 10. Once limited to catechumens (those preparing to enter the Church), eventually the whole Church adopted the practice of renewing ones baptism through a period of penitence and recommitment to the Christian life. Lent is an homage to Jesus's 40 days spent fasting in the desert in preparation for his ministry on Earth. Kids can count up the number of outfits they have and select ten percent to wear during their fast. During the 40 days of lent, while making our preparations for Easter, you can do something to better yourself and the world around you. Older kids can cut down on sibling squabbling by committing to writing down their complaints rather than making them verbally. Instead of having it in your hand 24 hours a day, give it up. 4. This does not raise the price of the product that you order. It is possible to do good works without prayer or belief in God, but prayer powers the spiritual life. These chore cards are the best thing weve done to teach our kids about work before play and the importance of helping out around the house. You don't have to answer every text from your third cousin, but you can find time to answer more messages and send thank-you cards. Just a little heads up though, were post Vatican II so Sundays do in fact count as days of fasting! There are actually 46 days in between Ash Wednesday and Easter Sunday, but Sundays during Lent on not considered to be prescribed. 4. Whatever small suffering we experience when we fast brings us closer to the suffering Christand all the people who suffer from hunger, malnutrition, and abuse on a daily basis. Kids can be encouraged to wear Christian symbols (a necklace, bracelet, or t-shirt) as a witness to their faithand to remind them to live out their beliefs more consistently. I am a teacher turned play therapist and stay at home Mom. Give up pepperoni (or any meat) on your pizza on Friday nights. Commit to a daily 3 Minute Retreat. 12 prayers for First Communion preparation. It starts on Ash Wednesday and ends on Holy Thursday. If those Amazon memes hit home, you know it may be a good time to try this. Lent is the season leading up to Easter. For more information, please read my Affiliates Disclosure. 1) Leg day at the gym: Pretty sure Jesus didn't worry about leg day. I even wrote a book about how to save money (Seeing how much we can save so quickly led us to do it year-round. A positive experience is more likely if you make the fast concrete and measurable. Im giving up sugar ,no eating in between meals , reading scripture everyday , on my hands n knees everyday asking for help to be a good servant. These small sacrifices unite with Jesus sacrifice. I feel challenged by this article to be more mindful during these days leading up to Easter and to be more intentional about fasting, even in general. While it's tempting to want to use Lent as an excuse to lose weight or improve our lives in some way, actually the real focus should ideally be something which will draw us closer to Jesus. Books you will never read. It sort of goes along with #10, which you will see in a minute. If you continue to use this site, you consent to our use of cookies. Click HERE to Join Us for 40 Days of Decluttering. Clutter. When people determine what they will give up for Lent, they usually choose a habit . This year Lent will start on February 22nd, 2023, and if you are following the 40 days tradition, Lent will end on Holy Saturday, April 8th, 2023. This month is a good time to face that. Heres a real challenge for older kids and teens (and adults). 12. Use this uninterrupted time to grow closer to God through prayer and mindful reflection. Soda. Give up snacking on unhealthy foods like chips for Lent, and do your best to cut out all junk food, for that matter. Here are some ideas: Consider these tried-and-true fasting favorites: Sweets, video games, smartphones (or create quiet zones free of phones), soda, junk food, social media, and other creature comforts. Im excited to check out your organizing series, Im always trying to figure out how to organize the fridge and the pantry! This 40-day Great Lent includes Saturdays and Sundays as relaxed fast days. For example, instead of just saying, Ill stop fighting with my sister, sit down and figure out specific actions that will lead to a conversion in this area. It is not only a form of penance, but a spiritual discipline that helps us make room for God, strengthens our will, prepares us for mission, and puts us in solidarity with the suffering of Christ and suffering people around the world. 2. 10. Is it smoking? Hey Becky, Get up at 5 a.m. so its nothing but you, Jesus, a Bible, and a pen. As mentioned above, it is not just about giving something up or adding something in for the sake of following this practice. If you are Catholic, you know how popular this question becomes around this time: What are you giving up for Lent?. Go to mass at least one Friday during Lent. Lent lasts for 40 days and it begins the day following Shrove Tuesday, on Ash Wednesday. Thanks a lot! The sharing of tales is an act of love and can truly change the world, says Marni Gillard, a member of the Teaching Catholic Kids Parents Facebook group. 8. Printable Stations of the Cross for Children (Booklet and Reflections) 40 Lenten Activities for Catholic Families {Free Printable} On the Road to Easter: Lent Word Search Printable. Great ideas, but please dont drink diet drinks any day. See RandomActsOfKindness.org for ideas. If you . Lent is a time of repentance, fasting, and preparation for the coming of Easter. Privacy Statement, Your best costume and party ideas for All Saints' Day, Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday: 9 things to do with your family, Fasting, giving, praying: 25+ ideas for what kids & teens can do for Lent. Recent Posts. That was it. Even in the midst of a pandemic, in the face of personal stress and during the season of Lent, God is offering you love, mercy and compassion every day. Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul.. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. FIND THESE CARDS HERE. What Do We Know About the Crucifixion of Jesus? And let your heart . Ignoring chores. earn more money (and donate some of it) with these work at home jobs. Muslims are well known and respected for their practice of praying throughout the day, but did you know that Christians are also called to pray throughout the day? This includes porn and sex outside of marriage too. I used two sheets of computer paper cut down to about 1 x 2 which left me with quite a bit leftover from the second sheet of paper. Send a care package (stuffed animal, chocolates, and a card) to a child at the Childrens Hospital. Translation for younger kids: "Lent is a time when we practice new ways of giving up sin and doing good so we can be closer to God." The traditional practices of Lent, drawn from Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, are almsgiving ( Mattew 6:2 - 4 ), prayer ( Matthew 6:5 - 15 ), and fasting ( Matthew 6:16 - 18 ). Give up shopping other than the basic essentials.