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Welcome to Saint Thomas More Catholic School’s blog, your family’s resource for parenting tips, faith inspiration, and behind-the-scenes life at our school!
Posts Tagged "parenting"
Prepare for the Holidays by Sharing Christ's Love
November 21, 2024
The holidays are a wonderful time to do a family check-in and prepare your hearts and homes for Jesus. Do you have room in your heart for Christ? Do you make time for Him?
Advent is a season of giving and hope, making it an ideal time for families to practice charity by sharing Christ’s love with others. Here are some meaningful ways parents can teach charity during Advent:
- Donate care packages. Call homeless shelters to see what items are most needed during the winter season (e.g., socks, toiletries, and gloves). Organize a family outing to purchase them. Prepare the care packages and, together, bring them to the shelter.
- Volunteer at the parish. Offer to help parish staff by setting up decorations, organizing events, or assisting with Advent services.
- Write cards for the sick and homebound of your parish. Create homemade Christmas cards for nursing home residents, hospital patients, or parishioners unable to leave their homes.
- Give the gift of presence. Visit a nursing home or assisted living facility to spend time with residents. Encourage children to sing Christmas carols or read short stories to residents during the visit.
- Pray for those in need. Create a family prayer list during Advent, praying for people in need. Add those mentioned during Mass.
- Teach children the value of giving. Encourage children to donate unused toys or clothes to those in need. Place a “sacrifice jar” in a prominent spot, encouraging everyone to put in coins whenever they make a small sacrifice. Donate proceeds at Christmas Mass.
Posted in
Religious Reflections
Back-to-School Routine Tips
July 24, 2024
Hello STM families!
I hope you have all had a fun and relaxing summer. I wanted to share a few tips as we get ready to start our new school year in a few short weeks!
- Start introducing school routines two weeks before the beginning of the new academic year. Easing into earlier bed and waking times makes for a much smoother first few days. We all know that well rested children are happier and ready to learn!
- To ease any back-to-school jitters, make sure to include your student in all of the preparations for the new year. For example, let them be an active shopper for their school supply list. Having them take responsibility for crossing items off the list can give a child an appropriate sense of control in a new situation. This can lead to more confidence when facing the normal worries of entering a new classroom and meeting teachers/peers.
- Another thing to remember is to take the time to listen to your child. Let them talk to you about the excitement or fears they have about returning to school. Allowing your student to express their feelings will help them work through whatever is causing the expected back-to-school worries.
I look forward to greeting you all on the first day of school!
Posted in
Back-to-School
Three Ways to Welcome God into a Busy Home
May 07, 2024
Welcoming God into your home can transform it into a sanctuary of love and faith. Try these meaningful ways to invite His presence into your daily family life:
- Display heavenly reminders: Adorn your home with sacred art, crucifxes, and statues of saints. These visual symbols serve as constant reminders of God’s presence and love. Encourage each family member, especially children, to choose a favorite and visit it daily, building a personal, visual connection to their faith.
- Integrate Prayer: Begin and end your day with family prayer, such as a morning blessing of protection and bedtime prayers of peace. Say grace before meals and pray the Angelus. Praying together
also solidifies your family's bond. - Perform acts of service: Encourage acts of service and kindness. Children can take on extra chores, volunteer at church, gather and donate clothes or toys.
These actions reflect the love of the Holy Trinity and make your home a welcoming place for Jesus. By making God the center of your home, you create a vibrant domestic church.
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