Ash Wednesday, already?
It is amazing how quickly Ash Wednesday comes upon us every year. I can’t believe it is here already. Even my daughter Caroline was shocked it was Ash Wednesday. This morning she woke up and proclaimed she was just not ready for Lent yet.
Well ready or not here it is. The question all most ponder every year is what to give up for Lent. What are you willing to live without for forty days? What sacrifice will you make?
There are the usual things: chocolate, ice cream, or candy.
Some modern sacrifices include giving up playing video games, or going on facebook or twitter.
One year I decided to give up gossiping. This was a noble pursuit… I can’t quite remember if I stuck to it, but I certainly put in a good effort. I recall my friend at work not liking the idea too much because who would she talk to for forty days. She was happy when Lent was over.
My kids are funny when it comes to Lent. They look forward to giving something up, but aren’t that happy with the duration. Many years ago I told my older daughter to give up soda for Lent. I have a love-hate relationship with soda. I really don’t like the kids to drink it and I always tell them I hate, but truthfully I am guilty of enjoying a diet coke now and then. That hypocrisy aside, I was happy to use Lent as a way to get my daughter to stop drinking soda. She eagerly agreed, I was thrilled and a little shocked. When we got to church on Ash Wednesday she looked at me a little confused and said, “Mom you forgot the soda!” Apparently I wasn’t clear in my explanation of Lent. She believed that we just needed bring soda to the altar and that was giving up soda for Lent.
This year for Lent my older daughter is giving up McDonalds, picking her nails, and soda. My middle daughter is giving up chocolate and ice cream. All things we can live without until Easter. One year they came home from religion class with a Lenten Calendar that had a good deed or prayer to do everyday for Lent. I really thought that was wonderful. I have tried to find it again, but with no luck.
In addition to giving up their favorite things, I try to get them to pray a little more during the Lenten season. This year I am going to try and do the rosary with them as a family. We’ll see how it goes…
As for myself I haven’t quite decided what route to go regarding a Lenten sacrifice.
Any suggestions?
What is everyone else giving up for Lent this year?
Here are some sites I found that had interesting Lenten activities for kids and great suggestions for what to give up.
http://www.imby.net/easter/kids.html
http://catholicicing.com/2011/02/lenten-ideas-for-kids-and-linky/
Mommy Day by Day 
Swearing! I have terrible road rage and my 1 year old is getting to that age where she “gets it”. Wish me luck 😉
Great idea. Truthfully swearing is a problem for me too. Good luck with curbing the road rage. I had a friend who used to count to ten in the car. Try it maybe it will work.
I never really understood the concept of giving up something. I find it harder to incorporate something new like a act of kindness each day or taking the time to listen to family and friends even when things are crazy. But then again i do not have children yet so maybe i will feel differently then!
I am giving up my Sims Social Facebook Game. I know it sounds strange but I do worry if my SIm will die after 40 days of no one feeding her or bringing her to the potty. My kids just give up dessert of Fridays…which from them is a huge b/c they always have dessert.
You cracked me up. I hope that your Sim will last the forty days… LOL
Dessert on Friday is a great idea. My kids would say that they do that every day. I never serve dessert and they often revolt. I only don’t serve it because I can’t eat it. I think one day they will write a book about their miserable childhoods where they were deprived dessert. Good for Erin and David!