COMING WED: Parent Power– We’ll help moms and dads claim their power as we all strive to help our kids be their best. Tune in for great tips for responding more effectively to all the challenges kids throw your way. Call in with your questions at 877-573-7825 from Noon-1pm Eastern. Don’t forget to respond to our FB Q of the D: What’s the toughest thing about raising kids these days? Can’t get M2L on a Catholic radio station near you?... Read more
You hear it a lot from Catholic families, “You have to do what works for you.” I appreciate the sentiment. People who say it genuinely mean well. They are just trying to acknowledge the real challenges that accompany family life and extend sympathy to those who are struggling. Who could argue with that intention? Certainly not me. Unfortunately, while the intention is good, the delivery leaves a lot to be desired. Catholic families must be comforted, they must be supported, they... Read more
In yesterday’s post on Taking Your Little Ones to Church, many people attempted to argue against my points by saying that the Church does not oblige them to bring their young children to Church. That is true. Here are several other things the Church does not strictly “oblige” us to do. -Look both ways before we cross the street. -Exercise -Take time to play with our kids -Make a budget. -Cut our grass. -Wash the dishes. -Do our laundry. -Help... Read more
TUESDAY on MORE2LIFE–FIRST THINGS FIRST: The Theology of the Body reminds us of the primacy of our relationships with God and others, but so many other things compete for first place in our lives. Today, we’ll look at priorities: how to set them, and more importantly, how to keep them. Call in with your questions from Noon-1pm Eastern (11am-Noon Central) at 877-573-7825 Don’t forget to respond to our M2L FB Q of the D! In a normal day, what are ... Read more
Whew! Busy day. Just a closing thought before I hang the “back tomorrow” sign on the front door. If your initial reaction to a post by a guy you don’t personally know, will never have to deal with in real life, and isn’t actually addressing you directly is, “MYLIFEISJUSTFINEHOWDAREYOUCRITICIZEMEWHODOYOUTHINKYOUAREYOU HOLIERTHANTHOU JERKMYLIFE/KIDS/MARRIAGEAREJUSTFINEAND ICAN’TBELIEVE YOUWOULDHAVETHE AUDACTITYTOSUGGESTOTHERWISEANDBESIDES EVERYBODYHASTODOWHATWORKSFORTHEMSOTHERE !!!!!” Then may I respectfully suggest that… 1) you are not nearly as secure in your decisions as you like to pretend. 2) that you, on some... Read more
I really appreciated this comment to the Take Your Kids to Mass post. Scowling is not inherently uncharitable. Sometimes it is the only silent way to communicate such necessary but unspeakable messages as “Your kid has been screaming his head off for five minutes straight [much more than the ‘minute or so’ Dr. Popcak recommends] and you are not doing anything but patting him on the head and trying to giving him a binkie. Get the kid out of here... Read more
Apr. 18, 2013 — There is a very good reason mothers often carry their crying babies, pacing the floor, to help them calm down. New research published in the Cell Press journal Current Biology on April 18 shows that infants experience an automatic calming reaction upon being carried, whether they are mouse or human babies. The study is the first to show that the infant calming response to carrying is a coordinated set of central, motor, and cardiac regulations and... Read more
Deacon Greg and Calah Alexander are having an animated discussion with several readers who are taking issue with parents who bring babies to Church. Here is an example of the tone of the questions to which they are responding: “When I read these posts from parents of young children who say they need God’s grace and that is why they bring their young children to Mass, I consider that to be selfish. We ALL need to look out for one... Read more
As our nation tries to put itself back together in the aftermath of last week, many are asking questions about mercy and forgiveness really asks of us. It’s a great question, and one that has a great deal of personal resonance as we reflect on how to treat those who have hurt us in big and small ways. Today, we’ll look at forgiveness actually requires, some common misperceptions about forgiveness and how to bring about healing after the hurt. Call in... Read more
I had a few people gently take me to task on my “Why do Catholics Bother?” post which attempted to highlight the real reason Catholics are involved in healthcare, education, and social services (namely, NOT primarily to solve social problems but to stand for the dignity of the human person by means of solves those problems that undermine human dignity). The comments raised some excellent questions and I thought I would take a moment to respond more thoughtfully than a... Read more
Faith on the Couch
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