Observing Lent with a Toddler

Observing Lent with a Toddler: A Journey of Faith and Family

Lent is a beautiful season of reflection and renewal, and sharing this journey with your little one can be a deeply enriching experience. Here's how we're embracing Lent with our 18-month-old toddler, infusing our days with spiritual growth and family togetherness.

Visual Reminders: Bringing Lent to Life at Home

Creating a Lenten environment at home can help even the youngest family members feel connected to this sacred season. We plan to set up a Lenten table adorned in violet, the liturgical color of Lent. This special corner can include:

• A Bible and a Cross: Central symbols of our faith. 

• An Image of Jesus: A gentle reminder of His sacrifice and love.

• A Prayer Book: For family prayers.

• Artefacts from our Pilgrimage to the Holy Land: Keepsakes that bring back memories and deepen our connection to the Holy Land.

• A Little Desert Scene: Stones in a bowl to symbolize Jesus' 40 days in the desert.

• Coloring Pages: Printouts with Lenten themes for our toddler to explore and enjoy. Some free coloring pages can be found here: Lent coloring pages .

  
  
  

We've also created a Lenten calendar that traces a path through the desert, marking our progress as we journey together.

Prayer: Deepening Our Spiritual Connection

Prayer is the cornerstone of our Lenten observance. We're making a conscious effort to be more mindful of our morning and evening prayers, setting a peaceful tone for the day. Here are some ways we're incorporating prayer into our routine:

• Children's Prayer Club: Attending church more regularly for kid-friendly prayer sessions.

• Nursing Moments: Using this quiet time to pray instead of scrolling through our phones.

• Lenten Playlist: Updating our YouTube playlist with reflective Lenten hymns. Some great playlists to use include: Lent songs, Catholic Hymns for Lent, Orthodox lent music and Lent music.

• Prayer Intentions: Writing 40 prayer intentions for the 40 days of Lent, offering our hopes and supplications to God. You can also find intentions online, such as here:
  

    

We're also committed to attending Eucharistic liturgies, including all Sundays, Ash Wednesday, and the Way of the Cross, to foster a communal sense of worship.

Fasting: Finding Meaning Beyond Food

Given that I'm still breastfeeding and slightly underweight, traditional fasting from food isn't advisable. Instead, we're embracing other forms of fasting that resonate with our current season of life:

• Digital Detox: Fasting from Pinterest, worldly stories, and YouTube (except for the Lenten playlist). 

• Mindful Speech: Fasting from gossip and negative talk.

• Health Focus: Committing to regular exercise to care for the body God has given us.

Almsgiving: Extending Love and Generosity

Almsgiving is an essential part of Lent, and we're finding ways to practice generosity as a family:

• Family Visits: Being more regular in visiting older family members, sharing time and love.

• Lenten Box: Collecting spare change for projects in the Third World, teaching our toddler the importance of giving.

By integrating these practices into our daily lives, we're nurturing our faith and fostering a sense of spirituality in our little one. Observing Lent with a toddler is a journey filled with learning and love, and we're grateful for the opportunity to grow together as a family.

How are you planning to observe Lent this year? Share your ideas and join the conversation in the comments below! ✨