College is a new experience for so many of these kids. Parents who have done their best to provide a strong faith foundation end up anxiously wondering if their kids will keep the values taught to them, or continue going to service, or if they’ll give up their faith. This comes back to me every year about this time, as lots of parents I know get ready to send their kids off to college. Overall, there are plenty of worries here that can keep a parent awake at night. How can parents deal with this anxiety? Is there anything we can do to help our away-at-school kids stay strong in the faith?
Here are seven ways to encourage your child in Faith.
- Encourage your child to introduce himself or herself to others after Mass or Service or to attend events sponsored by their chapels in an effort to meet people who may be interested in attending Mass together in the future.
- Encourage your child to inquire about the different types of faith available services at their college. Colleges often have youth run prayer groups and that are especially crowded and it can be a good way to meet people, as well.
- Encourage your child to become a become a member of the evangelization team on campus. It’s a good way to meet a new group of people and a chance to participate in Mass in a new way.
- Let your child know it’s OK to look for a church in the surrounding neighborhood, if he or she is not comfortable at or has a scheduling conflict with the services on campus.
