Connecting with Parents
How might your youth program be more involved with parents and families? Consider a family partnership. Partnership recognizes the strength and expertise of each party, valuing each party’s unique roles. It sees the need for interdependence. It also implies open channels of communication that go two ways.
Guides to parent/family partnership:
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Know the family makeup of your group members. This will help you tailor your catechesis to the specific family concerns of participants.
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Get to know as many parents and families as possible. As you build a rapport with parents, they will have more confidence in you and become more willing to partner with you.
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Provide a means for parents to come together for mutual support and enrichment. Build some parent sessions into your schedule. This will help parents get to know other parents and also better gauge their own young person’s behavior by learning about others.
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Adopt the attitude that everything you do to help the families that are a part of your youth program also enriches the quality of your program.
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Additional Materials
Links
Spiritual Help for Families
http://www.homefaith.com
Catholic Web, Facts about Catholic life, relationships
www.catholicweb.com/welcome_page.cfm
Answers to questions about faith
www.americancatholicyouth.org
Books
What Do You Really Want? How to Set a Goal and Go for It! A Guide for Teens
by Beverly K. Bachel
In this book, Bachel puts goal setting in a language comfortable for teens. Readers learn how to articulate their goals and put them in writing, set priorities and deadlines, overcome obstacles, cope with roadblocks, build a support system, and more. This guidebook is recommended for teens, parents, youth ministers, and counselors.
Available through Free Spirit Publishing, 2001
The Beauty Within - A Celebration of Teenage Life and Faith
by Peter Rossi
Includes inspirational stories along with practical advice for those ministering to teens.
Available through Living the Good News, 1995
Raising a Good Kid: Chances Are You're Doing Just Fine
by John Ferris Smith
Guidance for blending a balance of affection and accountability, admonition and understanding, conscience and compassion when raising teens in today's world.
Available through Ave Maria Press, 2002
Music
"Set Your Hearts on Higher Gifts," Jesus, Give Us Your Peace," "With Hope and Healing," (Meditation Track)
BLEST ARE WE Music CD 7-8
Call RCL Benziger at 1-877-ASK-4-RCL (1-877-275-4725).
ORDER NUMBER: 0-382-36394-9
BLEST ARE WE Song Book
Words and melody for grades 1-8
ORDER NUMBER: 0-382-36617-4
BLEST ARE WE Accompaniment Book
Contains accompaniment music for grades 1-8
ORDER NUMBER: 0-382-36618-2
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