Thursday, May 26, 2016

Seven Key Points About a Parent's Role in Educating Their Children: 'Amoris Laetitia' by Pope Francis

Today’s Treasures from Amoris Laetitia (259-262)
Chapter 7: Toward a Better Education of Children

  • Parents always influence the moral development of their children, for better or for worse. It follows that they should take up this essential role and carry it out consciously, enthusiastically, reasonably and appropriately. (259)
  • Only if we devote time to our children, speaking of important things with simplicity and concern, and finding healthy ways for them to spend their time, will we be able to shield them from harm. Vigilance is always necessary and neglect is never beneficial. (260)
  • Obsession, however, is not education. We cannot control every situation that a child may experience. (261)
  • If parents are obsessed with always knowing where their children are and controlling all their movements, they will seek only to dominate space. (261)
  • What is most important is the ability lovingly to help them grow in freedom, maturity, overall discipline and real autonomy. Only in this way will children come to possess the wherewithal needed to fend for themselves and to act intelligently and prudently whenever they meet with difficulties. (261)
  • The real question, then, is not where our children are physically, or whom they are with at any given time, but rather where they are existentially, where they stand in terms of their convictions, goals, desires, and dreams. (261)
  • Education includes encouraging the responsible use of freedom to face issues with good sense and intelligence. (262)

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