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When I got my first teaching job, at the age of 21, I taught 7th and 8th grade in a Catholic school. I remember two of my students (boys) asked if they could put a quote or a random fact on the board every day.  I said yes.  They loved it and so did I.

For most of my adult life, before becoming a mother of two boys and a girl, I worked with tweens and teens.  Both young men and young women.

I learned a lot about what makes them tick.

With that knowledge, I give you this list of suggestions.  I hope your son finds a few that resonate with him, and allow him to grow in faith and know that he can always pray to Our Lord whenever he feels the need.

23 Ways Boys Can Honor Lent

Prayer: Learning about God and Saints, Talking to Jesus and Nourishing Faith

1. Go to your room, close the door and sincerely spend 10 minutes in prayer. Here are two ways to do that: Say an Act of Contrition slowly and with all your heart or; make the sign of the cross, pray “Come Holy Spirit” and start (or continue) reading one of the Gospels in the Bible.

2. Start or write in a prayer journal. 

Two simple prompts are

* Write a letter to Jesus and

**Tell the Lord what you are most thankful for from yesterday or this week.

3.Watch a Catholic Youtube video.  I recommend Father Kyle Manno or Father Mike Schmitz

4. Read a Catholic Comic Book

5. Combine exercise with prayer.  Instead of going for a run with an ipod, pray on the uphills, take a break from prayer on the downhills.  Or shoot some hoops, each time you miss the basket, pray a Glory be to the Father . . .; no matter what sport your playing, each time you stop to sip water, say an Our Father too.

6. Create a quote board for the family.  Each day on a white board or chalkboard, post a Scripture quote, Saint quote or a short prayer.

7. Take the How to Be A Good Catholic on Social Media Course.

8. Create a meme or graphic that encourages followers to pray or read Scripture (perhaps post what you wrote on the quote of the day board)

9. Play some Matt Maher music while you clean your room.

10. Take a Virtual Tour of a church, Cathedral (you make need Flash Player for this)12 Amazing Virtual Tours of Spectacular Churches

11. Pray a Rosary (or at least one decade).  Remember, at Fatima, Our Lady is reported stating that if Francisco “prayed many rosaries,” he would go to heaven when he died. 

12. Draw or sketch:

what heaven might look like;

 a picture of Jesus’s Sacred Heart;

or

one of the Stations of the Cross.

13. Spiritually adopt an unborn baby

14. Spend 15 minutes reading a Catholic book.  (recommended: Saint Francis of the Seven Seas 

and Blessed Pier Giorgio: Journey to the Summit

Almsgiving: Service

15. Create a Youtube video about the Mass readings for this Sunday

16. Read a Faith based book to a younger sibling (Angels)

17. Donate old or unused Legos to The Lego Project

18. Bake Crown of Thorns Bread for your family

19.  Offer to organize a game with younger siblings.  

20.  Do an extra chore without being asked.

Fasting

21.  Don’t eat any snacks for one day

22. Pick a day to only drink water

23. Fast from playing video games or looking at your phone for a day (or more).

Want more ideas for Lent?  Check out

39 Ways to Keep Lent Holy (without giving up sweets)

Looking for a resource for your son or Godson?  You can now pre-order the Boy’s Be Yourself Journal!!!!

Keep up to date with the Boy’s Journal and get more blog posts that include ideas for growing your faith as well as your sons and daughters by subscribing here!

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Have a tween daughter?  Get her Be Yourself: A Journal for Catholic Girls today!

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Earlier this month, I shared an article on Facebook titled, “Why 7th Grade Sucks the Most for Tweens and Their Parents”

It was shared 38 times from my page alone.

The article, published by the website parentingteensandtweens.com, states facts about how the brains of 7th graders are still developing and children around the age of 12 and 13 can not plan or manage their impulses like an adult yet.  Then, it states this:

Worse, seventh grade is when so many kids start losing their identity to fit in with their peer group.  At a time when girls are feeling most awkward with growing breasts, braces and growth spurts, . . . all they want to do is blend in with everyone else. “

The “Middle School Years” or tweens were such a difficult time for me that I was compelled to write the Be Yourself Journal.

When I was struggling through those years I really believed I was odd and that not many people understood how I felt.

Years later, I realize this is how many feel during that stage of life.

The truth is, it’s a hard age!

Even Jesus clashed with His parents when he was 12!!!

(The Scripture Passage that is Perfect for Moms of Teens (and Tweens) )

Those years are even more challenging today.

Social media provides no escape.  If they are on social media, they are stressed.  If they are not on it they feel stressed because “everybody else is”.

I know we don’t want more stuff in our homes, but I also remember vividly how hard that age was.

I remember one Valentine’s Day my mom gave me stickers – we didn’t get gifts that much, especially on random holidays like Valentine’s Day.  That memory sticks out to me – it was such an act of love from my mom who isn’t the “mooshy” type.  It brought me such joy!

Valentine’s Day is a great day to remind your tween three important truths:

1.  Her Identity is Rooted in Jesus Christ

God willed her into existence.  God doesn’t make mistakes. It is completely normal to wonder who you are and why God knew the world needed you.

Her identity is not found in what other people think of her.

Her identity is not based on any mistakes she has or will make.

He loves her more than she can possibly imagine.

We are to love the Lord our God with all our hearts.

Be Yourself: A Catholic Journal for Girls

Remember that article I mentioned?

It states facts about how they brains are still developing and children around the age of 12 and 13 can not plan like an adult.  Then, it states this:

Worse, seventh grade is when so many kids start losing their identity to fit in with their peer group.  At a time when girls are feeling most awkward with growing breasts, braces and growth spurts, . . . all they want to do is blend in with everyone else. “

I am going to add here that they are also searching for their identity.

I believe that identity is found in the God who created us – unique from day one; on purpose for a purpose.

This journal is to reassure them of that belief.

See inside this journal here: Dear Beautiful 13 Year Old . . .

My personal wish for every tween and young teenage girl is that she will discover God’s incredibly real love for her.  I hope and pray she places her trust in Jesus and the beautiful truth that His Love is more abundant than she could ever imagine!

If Valentine’s Day is about love – let’s get her connected to source of True Love – Our Lord Jesus Christ.

By spending time with Him in ways that help her see His light and love, she will discover how to love Him as well as herself and others.

This book was created by me to give your daughter hope when she is worried; comfort when she is sad; joy when she devotes time to getting to know herself through the eyes of her creator and peace when she desires calmness.

Plus, it’s fun too :

And add to the phone with some of DaySpring’s journaling supplies!  I love these:

Puffy Stickers!

Illustrated Faith Pen Pack

Heart Washi Tape

Pink Salt Riot Stickers and Pencils

We are to love the Lord our God with all our hearts.

When we love God above all things, we can more clearly see how to reflect His love in our on unique way.  Give God, and your daughter “all the hearts” this Valentine’s Day

Other gift ideas that will remind to love God above all things and seek her identity with him:

A Heart Pillow

Is your tween finally no longer asking for stuffed animals?  Either way, they still want something to cuddle and hug.  Again, this is a gift that could go on her bed and work as decor, without causing clutter.  It will also give her comfort <3

I love this white “shabby chic” one 

DaySpring also has a cute LOVE HEART PILLOW.

Holy Chocolate

I was always amazed at the reaction I got from my “to cool for school” students when I offered candy as a prize.  It was like they were 6 again.  A candy bar made them the happiest I’d ever seen them.  And I love this chocolate – it truly is heavenly.  Made with care and prayer by the Trappistines . . . and perhaps a wonderful conversation starter about vocations and the future.  There are nuns that prayer and make candy, why yes! Have you thought about the religious life . . .?

2. Always Persevere in Prayer

We can never pray to much. 

God may not answer every prayer how and when we would like Him too, but He certainly hears our prayers and desires us to spend that time with Him.

Pray the Rosary.  Go to Adoration.  These moments of being still are not only good for her soul, but are good for her mental and physical health.

It’s good to pray alone.  It’s great to pray with others.

It’s okay to ask other people to pray for you.  It’s a great idea to ask the Saints in heaven to pray for you.

The more we invite God into our life through prayer the more grace we will receive and that grace will guide us to choose what is good.

Persevere in prayer gift ideas:

A Rosary Bracelet

I think these might be my favorite thing ever.  I mean, they are pretty and encourage prayer – best of both worlds!  And there are so many now – so no matter what your daughter’s style is or her favorite color, there is one she will love!

I love the ones Chews Life has as well as Pink Salt Riot.

I also really like this one made by Mary With You because it reminds me of a “friendship bracelet”.

Saintly Socks

I love the St. Therese’ socks for Valentine’s Day – they have roses all over them!  Give them roses <3

Each time she sees them or puts them on she will be reminded to pray, “St. Therese’, please pick me a rose from the heavenly gardens”.  She will also remember no love or kind act is to little.

I’m also going to go out on a limb here and say these would totally be “Marie Kondo approved”!  They won’t clutter your house!  Win for you and for your daughter!

Check out all the saint socks available here: Sock Religious Socks

3. Be Brave. Be Not Afraid

Now that we have shared the truth with her, she must not be afraid to be a light in the darkness.

Let’s give here an extra boost with some fun gifts!

Be not afraid gift ideas:

I love this Faith over Fear shirt, these very cool temporary tattoos as well as stickers, magnets and pin-back buttons!

Temporary Tattoos can be bought from Just Love Prints and  from Pink Salt Riot

In fact, Pink Salt Riot has a Box of Courage, you can also search Pink Salt Riot’s website for Pink Back Buttons, Key Chains all kinds of Jewelry that say “be not afraid”!

If your daughter likes stickers and magnets, here are some Etsy shops that have those:

Sweet Little Ones

Meyer Market Designs

Look to Him and Be Radiant

I also love this simple, framable print from Sweet Little Ones:

So this Valentine’s Day, let’s remind the tweens we know (and maybe ourselves too) that

1.  Our Identity is Rooted in Jesus Christ

2. Always Persevere in Prayer and

3. Be Brave. Be Not Afraid!

Before they sell out – get you and your daughter a LOVE BOX!

What do you think Tweens need to be reminded of this Valentine’s Day (and every day)?

Share this post and tell us what you want your tween to know – use the hashtag #loveyourtween ! 

More ideas here: https://prayerwinechocolate.comdear-beautiful-13-year-old/

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