Parenting Your Adult Child: Keeping the Faith (And Your Sanity)

I haven't read Parenting Your Adult Child: Keeping the Faith (And Your Sanity) by Susan Vogt, but it definitely looks like one of those books I might need a few years down the road.

"It is eighteen years after the birth of your child. He is now stronger than you. She is now taller than you. Either one of them can work a cell phone faster, text message, IM, or design a Web page while you're still reading the newspaper. How did your baby grow up so quickly? As a parent, do you have anything left to say to your son or daughter? Is there anything your child still needs to hear from you-or will tolerate you saying?"

Parenting Your Adult Child addresses such thorny issues as when to rescue and when to not; when to push and when to restrain yourself; how to keep your faith when your child seems to be abandoning it; how to forgive yourself for the mistakes you made in parenting along the way; and how to move into an adult/adult relationship with this amazing person you have raised.

Susan Vogt is an award-winning freelance writer and speaker on marriage, parenting, and spirituality. A professional Catholic family minister for over thirty years, she has served as an adviser to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' Committee on Marriage and Family.

What is the History of Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament

As a child, I was introduced to Eucharistic Adoration at The Mother of God Monastery in West Springfield, MA. The monstrance was beautiful, part of the grille separating the chapel from the cloistered nuns on the other side (see the photo). My mother would tell me how there was always a nun on the other side praying in front of the Eucharist every hour of the day and night.

With the exception of Holy Thursday, however, that was the only time I ever experienced Eucharistic Adoration. In recent years, it has become much more common to have Eucharistic Adoration as part of a parish's liturgical life. My own parish has it every Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. I love to stop by when I can for a few minutes of prayer. Perhaps someday, life will allow me to devote more time to the practice.

U.S. Catholic has an interesting explanation of the history of adoration of the Blessed Sacrament:
What is the History of Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament?

Book Review: "The Power of the Sacraments"

The Power of the Sacraments
by Sr. Briege McKenna, O.S.C.
Cincinnati, OH: Servant Books, 2010

The first thing one notices about "The Power of the Sacraments" by Sr. Briege McKenna is its size. This is a small book - a mere 64 pages. Does it actually have something new and valuable to say about the sacraments? Absolutely.

Sr. McKenna emphasizes how the sacraments bring us "supernatural life, the life of grace." She discusses each of the seven sacraments - their purpose and how they can work in our lives. All of this one can read in other books, however.

It was only after reading through several of the chapters that I began to understand the meaning of the title: "The Power of the Sacraments." "Power" is the word to be emphasized. For each sacrament, Sr. McKenna shares the story of a miracle related to it. These are truly amazing, heart-wrenching stories that illustrate just what Jesus can accomplish when His sacraments pour out their grace.

"The Power of the Sacraments" is a reminder of the great gift we have been given in the sacraments. We should all open ourselves to their power in our lives.

This review was written as part of the Catholic book reviewer program from The Catholic Company. Visit The Catholic Company to find more information on The Power of the Sacraments. They are also a great source for serenity prayer and baptism gifts.

Book Review: Records of Our National Life

Records of Our National Life: American History from the National Archives
Edited by Anne-Catherine Fallen and Kevin Osborn Research & Design, Ltd.
Washington, DC: The Foundation for the National Archives, 2009

In the wrong hands, history can be a very boring subject. The names, dates, and lists of facts can seem very disconnected from real life. Published in honor of the National Archives' 75th anniversary, the coffee-table book "Records of Our National Life" presents history in living color.

Each striking full-color glossy page offers a new treasure to discover. From a map of Boston in 1775 and the agreement of secrecy taken by all members of the Continental Congress to the handwritten copy of Washington's first inaugural address, the beginnings of the United States are well-represented. Move forward in time and view documents from the Louisiana Purchase and the Lewis and Clark Expedition, the abolitionist movement, and a map of Sutter's Mill where gold was discovered in 1848. See a collection of Civil War era photographs by Matthew Brady and items related to the Confederate government. Read the testimony of Dr. Robert Stone regarding the death of President Abraham Lincoln.

Are you more interested in the modern era? See part of President Franklin Roosevelt's Inaugural Address and photos of the Civilian Conservation Corps at work. There is a page of World War II posters and photos of the women who worked hard in the factories while the men were off fighting. There is the Supreme Court Judgment from Brown v. Board of Education and documents related to the Cuban Missile Crisis. There are photographs from the Vietnam War and President Nixon in China as well as items related to Watergate. Mount St. Helens is shown erupting. One can also read one of the sheet cards from President Reagan's famous speech at Brandenburg Gate asking Mr. Gorbachev to "Tear Down This Wall!" The most recent items are related to 9/11, the Patriot Act and the election of President Obama.

Social historians will love this book the most. From the birth certificates (literally, pages out of family Bibles) of Revolutionary War Veterans, to the Homestead Application of Almonzo Wilder, and citizen applications of such notables as Greta Garbo, Albert Einstein, and Maria von Trapp, there is much to explore and pore over.

While not a history text, "Records of Our National Life" is a wonderful addition to any study of American history and could be the starting point for many interesting projects and further study. It is a tremendous resource and one well-worth spending time with.

Register Now for the New England Catholic Homeschool Conference

The New England Catholic Homeschool Conference will be held Saturday, June 25th at St. Stanislaus School in Chicopee, MA. To learn more about the conference, please visit: New England Catholic Homeschool Conference 2011. To Register, please visit New England Catholic Homeschool Registration

I am excited to be a speaker at this year's conference and it would be great to see you there!

Are You Thinking About Homeschooling?

Even though September seems a long ways away, this is the time of year when academic decisions for next school year are often made. Are you considering homeschooling next year? Perhaps it is an idea you have been considering for a long time, or maybe you recently met someone who homeschools and you want to know more. How do you know if homeschooling is right for you?

Why Decide to Homeschool?

People decide to homeschool for many different reasons. According to a study put out by the National Center for Education Statistics, “the reason for homeschooling that was most frequently cited as being applicable was concern about the environment of other schools including safety, drugs, or negative peer pressure. Eighty-five percent of homeschooled students were being homeschooled, in part, because of their parents’ concern about the environment of other schools. The next two reasons for homeschooling most frequently cited as applicable were to provide religious or moral instruction (72 percent) and dissatisfaction with academic instruction at other schools (68 percent).”

Think about the reasons you are considering homeschooling.

When Should The Decision to Homeschool Be Made?

Some people make the decision to homeschool when their child is still safely in the womb. Others make the decision when their child is three years old and expected to attend preschool. They decide they can teach them themselves and then, when faced with the decision of attending school for kindergarten, simply decide to keep going. Others decide at some point in their child’s academic career that traditional school is simply not the best option and pull the child out of school.

There is no one right or wrong time to homeschool. It can be done from birth through high school, or for part of one year. Each year the decision can be reevaluated depending on life and family circumstances.

How Can I Possibly Spend 30 Hours a Week Teaching Each Child?

Homeschooling is like having a private tutor. Much of the time spent in school is not spent on direct instruction, but rather waiting for others or doing “filler” work. Homeschooling is much more efficient. It will not take you thirty hours a week to cover the material. It will take far less. Also, children of different grades can often be taught much of the same material. Homeschooling provides a great deal of flexibility.


What About Socialization?

This always seems to be the question well-meaning people ask most. Family and friends and even random strangers will ask: “How will your children learn to get along with different people if they don’t go to school?” There are many articles and books on this topic, including Home-Schooling: Socialization not a problem from the Washington Times.

Children who are homeschooled have many opportunities to interact with people of all ages, thereby helping them be more comfortable talking to adults, not just their peers. They are also able to develop friendships and take part in activities with other children. Homeschooled children take part in many of the same extra-curricular activities other children do, such as sports, dance classes, scouting programs, and Church programs. In addition, there are many homeschool groups that meet on a regular basis.

How Can I Possibly Teach Algebra?

This can also be considered, the “How can I teach high school?” question. Many parents feel that they can adequately teach the basics of reading and writing and math, but things like algebra and high school biology or chemistry inspire fear in many. The good news is that there are many on-line classes high school students can take. Older teens can also often enroll in basic classes at a community college. Finding a tutor can also help the process. If parents want to homeschool for high school, there are many ways to accomplish that goal.

What Will I Have to Report to my City?

Each state has its own rules regarding homeschooling. Within states, different cities may interpret those rules differently. Talking with other homeschoolers in your area can help clarify what you need to do. The Home School Legal Defense Association can also be a very good resource if you have specific questions about what is required in your state.

Where Do I Learn More?

Your local library may have books on homeschooling or information on a homeschool group in your area. There are also several magazines and websites dedicated to the subject. If you have a specific question, you may want to do an internet search for that particular topic. Any situation you are facing has no doubt been contended with by someone else. As a general rule, homeschoolers are happy to share information and advice.

If you are considering homeschooling, I would recommend that you pray to make the right decision for your family. It can be scary to step off the well-traveled road of traditional schooling to embrace something new, but if it is the right choice for your family, it can be a beautiful way to live.

The First Sign of Spring

Like many other places, we in Western Massachusetts have had more than our share of snow this winter. The snowbanks were higher than I have ever seen them. But, the past couple days have been a touch of Spring and we have been rejoicing in it. And, the snow is actually melting!

There is now actually a strip of earth between the house and the snow pile. As I looked over today, I did a double take. My daffodils are starting to sprout! Those little green shoots are pushing their way through the earth. I was so excited. Each September, I plant them and tulips - my act of faith that Spring will come. And there they were! I was so excited.

Thank you, God, for the beautiful day, and the promise of Spring to come.