In the fear of the Lord one has strong confidence, and one’s children will have a refuge (Proverbs 14:26).
One of the newer reasons for a movie to receive a PG-13 rating is “intense sequences of peril.” This seems to suggest that living with children should be banned from the public square altogether. Car accidents, falling from trees, pipe bombs, running with sharp objects, bullies at school, fingers in doors, gun violence, stairs, infectious disease, broken glass, sexual molestation, ticks, drowning, climate change, trampolines—the list goes on.
It’s too much and makes most parents, grandparents and other caretakers slightly unhinged as they try to catalog all the worries in order to avoid them or as they sit back unconcerned sipping tea while the house burns down.
There are notable pressure points throughout the day. By focusing on those moments there is a chance you could dispel some of the constantly building worry. Narrow your worry down to three—travels in cars, heading out to school and before bedtime. Say prayers, give up your worries—and, perhaps more importantly, your child’s worries—and maybe you will spend more time playing in the sun.
Practices
On car trips: Say a prayer for safe travel and return home. For example: “May the angel Raphael guide us on our way so we may return to our home in health, in safety and in joy.” Afterward have everyone in the car make the sign of the cross, the mark of their baptism, on another person’s forehead.
Nighttime: Lighten up worried children by praying with humor: “From ghoulies and ghosties and long-leggedy beasties, and things that go bump in the night—good Lord, deliver us!”
Before school: When walking to the bus or before heading out the door, start part of the St. Patrick’s breastplate prayer: “Christ be with me, Christ within me, Christ behind me, Christ before me, Christ beside me, Christ to win me, Christ to comfort and restore me.” Then have your child make up a few verses: “Christ in my hair, Christ with a dare. Christ helps with math, Christ makes me laugh.”
