Parent Resources
Being a parent today can be a challenging task. The information on this page is intended to assist parents as they navigate the world of today’s adolescent. In case you’re wondering why a youth ministry webpage would offer information for parents…
The National Study of Youth and Religion found that the single most important influence on the religious and spiritual lives of adolescents is their parents. We have often said that parents are primary educators and the data from the NSYR confirmed that.
If there is a topic area that you would like more information about, please contact me at the parish or via e-mail: youth@icchurchea.org
World Meeting of Families
Family Love: a Vocation and a Path to Holiness is the theme of the 10th World Meeting of Families. To help your family celebrate this special time,
we have some resources that you may use at home.
The Family Prayer Challenge is a Bingo style sheet that may be completed over the summer. Your children are encouraged to bring the completed sheet with them when they return to faith formation or our school in the fall. You may download it by clicking here.
Our complete packet of World Meeting of Families at Home Resources includes a Home Blessing and an activity that uses a cube or a die. It’s called the Amoris Cube after Pope Francis’ Amoris Laetitia (The Joy of Love) document. He specifically writes about the pastoral care of families in the document.
You may download our full World Meeting of Families at Home Resources packet by clicking here.
Coronavirus Resources for Families
Below are links to helpful information for families during this difficult time. We will continue to update them, so please check back for new resources.
Click on the titles below to read the resource.
Faith-fully Navigating Coronavirus with Your Kids
How to Talk to Your Kids about Coronavirus
Developing Strong Catholic Families
The National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry offers links to helpful information for parents.
Resources for Talking with Your Children About the Church Scandal
Parents' Guide to Kids and Cell Phones
Great tips and information about cell phone use.
Digital Kids Initiative
This website provides a variety of resources for parents to help their children, tweens, and teens navigate the digital world.
Parenting Online Guidebook
This resource includes helpful tips and an Agreement that may be signed by parents and their children regarding internet use at home.
Great Website for Parents of Girls
This site has excellent tips and resources for parents of girls. It also has newsletters you may subscribe to. Years ago one of their tips was to give your daughter a budget for back to school shopping. Tell her how much she has to spend and let her make the decisions. That removes the negative of having to tell her, “No, you cannot have those jeans.” My daughter was entering seventh grade when I first used that tip and we still use that system to this day.
Social Media Tips for Parents
Below are two articles with tips for parents.
Parents' Guide to Sexting
Research Information on Teen Sexting Before Age 18
Parent Primer on Internet Pornography
Bullying Resources for Parents
The Alberti Center at UB compiled a number of resources for parents on bullying.
Family Resources from the Diocese of Buffalo
Check out this website for online resources, diocesan Family Mass date, and various groups that meet throughout our diocese.
Surprise! Teens Want Time with Their Parents
This article gives tips for spending time with your teenager.
Is Your Teen Ready to Get a Job?
A helpful resource for answering that question.
The More Things Change . . .
“Our youth love luxury; they have bad manners; contempt for authority; they show disrespect for elders and love chatter in place of exercise. Children are not tyrants, not the servants of their households. They no longer rise when elders enter the room. They contradict their parents, chatter before company, gobble up their food and tyrannize their teachers.”
– Socraters (469-399 B.C.E.)
. . . the more they stay the same!