Today is Meet The Parents day in church because my son is preparing for the sacrament of confirmation. Lucky, this round I am not harassed by the teachers. Last time, two teachers chased after me because my eldest son skipped too many days of catechism class and the priest wanted them to go for special classes or even refuse confirmation. *roll eyes*
I guess not all children are the same and this time, I get only praises. That’s the fun part of being a parent. You may have the same brood but each have their own characters so it is never boring to deal with them.
Secretly, I wish they have parents who are teachers and not two single, unmarried, never live with (horrific) teens individuals. Sure they are awfully nice but if you never have the nightmare of living with loud-mouth, not afraid to shoot, obstinate, stubborn but nevertheless fun teens, you do not know how tough it is to get them to do boring stuffs like going to church.
Maybe one day when I have a deeper understanding and knowledge of Catholicism, I will volunteer to be part of the CEC. Meantime, I won’t dare to show my face because I am worse than a 12 years old kid because I didn’t have the basic foundation. My son teased me, “Aiyor, ma, you mean you do not know? Purgatory is fire, not a holiday resort!” So I told him, “Oh…you mean like having a sauna before deciding going to hell or heaven?”
Anyway, like all things, I try to do my best and put my focus into it, including planting faith in my children. This second son who is going for his confirmation had his first holy communion when he was baptised with me in Easter 2003. He was ten years old then.
From a very timid and introvert child, he is now one of the active youth leader in the church youth group. Christianity has lifted off a big burden in children upbringing because I am not doing it alone. I can always count on the folks in church to help me guide them. He has role models to look up to, teachers to teach them the basic foundation our faith is built on and most important of all, his peers.
I attribute all the good points to the peers. I often reminded him to do his best to draw the more timid and shy peers into their youth circle. I told him how tough it is for me to ‘break into the circle’ but I managed because I am not shy or afraid to learn. It is because I am involved in many of the ministries and projects that I could bring him along and from there, he found his own footings.
I often encourage other parents to get their sons and daughters to experience the vibrant youth gatherings because they are really fun. I wish I am young enough to be in the youth group too. LOLZ.
Anyway, preparation in on the way for a three day camp and I am looking forward to it! Now, I have a secret project to work on. That is, write a letter to my son! Phew…it was so hard the last time with my eldest son. I suppose it is still as hard with this one.
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