In this episode, hosts Mike and Alicia Hernan, founders of the Messy Family Project and parents of 10 children, discuss the importance of family life and parenting. They express their passion for strengthening family bonds and helping parents fulfill their sacred calling.

The episode features a special guest, Kimberly Hahn, a renowned speaker and author known for her dedication to promoting strong families. With her profound insights and passion for family life, she joins the discussion to share valuable perspectives on building a resilient and faithful family unit.

The overarching message of this episode centers on the transformative power of Catholic families. Mike, Alicia, and Kimberly emphasize that by nurturing children in virtue, cultivating a relationship with Christ, and living intentionally as a family, parents play a crucial role in renewing the world and shaping a brighter future for society.

Key Takeaways:

• Protect young children from negative cultural influences and be intentional in instilling positive values.
• Recognize the importance of family as a training ground for children to grow and mature before engaging with the world.
• Embrace the unique family culture and identity while seeking guidance from the Church and saints.
• Be intentional in parenting roles, form children in faith, and guide them towards a path of Godly living.
• Utilize the rich teachings of the Catholic Church on family life to build strong and impactful families that positively influence society.

Get ready to embrace your sacred calling and embark on a journey of joyful family life with Alicia and Mike Hernon as your guides! Discover expert insights and practical tips from our diverse lineup of hosts and guest speakers. Join Shalom World Podcasts and the Messy Family Project for an inspiring season that will take your parenting skills to the next level.

Shalom World: https://www.shalomworld.org

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Messy Family Project: https://messyfamilyproject.org/

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In this episode of "Family: Guide to Parenthood," hosts Mike and Alicia Hernan from the Messy Family Project explore the crucial topic of forgiveness in family life. They stress the significance of forgiveness on the journey to holiness and how it impacts relationships with spouses and children. The episode delves into personal experiences and insights from guests Susan and Urby Potvin, who share their unique story of creating a family with diverse personalities and backgrounds.

Susan and Urby Potvin, open up about their extraordinary journey as adoptive parents. They raised their adopted son in a Catholic home with strong Christian support, but he struggled with addiction and made grave mistakes, causing immense pain and challenges for the family. Despite the difficulties, the Potvins exemplify the power of forgiveness, faith, and perseverance in navigating through their profound journey.

The episode underscores that forgiveness is a choice, not merely an emotion. It involves canceling a debt and freeing oneself from the burden of hurt and resentment. Moreover, forgiveness does not necessarily mean immediate reconciliation but sets the foundation for healing and growth in family relationships. As parents and children embrace forgiveness and strive for holiness, they pave the way for a more loving, compassionate, and resilient family unit.

Key Takeaways:

• Forgiveness is a conscious decision to cancel a debt and free oneself from hurt, fostering emotional healing in family relationships.
• Faith and hope play a crucial role in the forgiveness process, allowing individuals to trust in God's grace and the possibility of transformation.
• Forgiveness and reconciliation are distinct concepts, with forgiveness being a single-person act, while reconciliation involves both parties.
• It is vital to have healthy boundaries in forgiveness, ensuring one's dignity and mental well-being are respected in the process.
• Forgiveness is a lifelong practice within the family, teaching children the value of accountability, humility, and self-forgiveness while nurturing strong bonds among family members.

Get ready to embrace your sacred calling and embark on a journey of joyful family life with Alicia and Mike Hernon as your guides! Discover expert insights and practical tips from our diverse lineup of hosts and guest speakers. Join Shalom World Podcasts and the Messy Family Project for an inspiring season that will take your parenting skills to the next level.

Shalom World: https://www.shalomworld.org

Support us: https://shalomworld.org/donate

Messy Family Project: https://messyfamilyproject.org/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shalomworldpodcasts/

Hosts Alicia and Mike Hernon delve into the crucial topic of training children in virtue. They are joined by a special guest, Sister John Paul Maher, a Dominican sister of Mary Mother of the Eucharist, who brings her extensive experience and wisdom to the discussion. They emphasize the practical aspects of forming children in virtue, going beyond theoretical concepts to provide actionable strategies for parents. They highlight the importance of parents modeling virtue and consistency in their behavior as a powerful way to influence their children's character development.

Sister John Paul Maher O.P., Principal of St. Michael's School, Ohio, USA, is a Dominican sister belonging to the religious order of Mary Mother of the Eucharist. With her background and experience, she provides valuable guidance to parents, emphasizing the importance of partnership between educators and parents in shaping children's character and promoting virtuous living. 

They acknowledge the challenges of parenting and the uniqueness of each child's personality and stage of development. Sister John Paul emphasizes the importance of educators and parents working together in a partnership, providing support and guidance to parents as they navigate the journey of forming children in virtue. The conversation centers around the need for parents to educate themselves about virtues and the human person, and to foster a culture of prayer and reliance on the Holy Spirit in the process.

Key Takeaways:

• Parents play a vital role in forming children in virtue by consistently modeling virtuous behavior themselves.
• Parents should take the initiative to educate themselves about virtues; by understanding what virtues are and how they can be practiced, parents can effectively guide their children.
• Educators and parents should work together in a partnership to support children's virtue formation; this ensures consistency in teaching and reinforces the values being instilled both at school and at home.
• As each child is unique and goes through different stages of development, parents must be willing to adjust their approaches and strategies to cater to their child's individual needs.
• Parents are encouraged to seek guidance from the Holy Spirit and rely on God's grace in their parenting journey. 

Get ready to embrace your sacred calling and embark on a journey of joyful family life with Alicia and Mike Hernon as your guides! Discover expert insights and practical tips from our diverse lineup of hosts and guest speakers. Join Shalom World Podcasts and the Messy Family Project for an inspiring season that will take your parenting skills to the next level.

Shalom World: https://www.shalomworld.org

Support us: https://shalomworld.org/donate

Messy Family Project: https://messyfamilyproject.org/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shalomworldpodcasts/