Talking Lent with Kids: How to Explain the Lenten Season to Your Children

ParentingU

Lent is a special time of year for Christians worldwide. Rob Tasman, Our Lady of Lourdes Health vice president of mission integration, shares some ways parents can talk to youngsters about what Lent means and offers some practical ways families can celebrate Lent on this special extra credit edition of ParentingU.

Tasman emphasizes the many ways to have age-appropriate discussions about Lent and Jesus’ life and resurrection. He also shares how talking about gratitude and getting involved in community service projects and helping the poor can bring home the message of Lent.

To give families some ideas of ways to pray and talk about Lent, Tasman shares how to modify a Jesuit practice called the Examen for children of all ages — a practice he employs within his own family.

We wish everyone a blessed Lent and hope this extra credit episode of ParentingU gives you some ideas for discussion and reflection this season.

Questions Answered on the Episode

- How does Lent relate to my Catholic faith?

- How can I simplify Jesus’ resurrection for my young children?

- What are some ways young children can observe Lent in a meaningful way?

- What is the Examen and how can I use it with my kids?

Additional Resources

- Enjoy our Lenten playlist, available on our Healthful Notes Spotify channel. Over 30 minutes of beautiful music, curated for quiet reflection

- Read more on Talking About Lent with Kids here

- Watch Rob Tasman talk about the Lenten season on ParentingU

We’ll be back with more and another regular ParentingU episode soon. You can hear all episodes of ParentingU on our website or on your favorite podcast app including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or Google Podcasts. New! Watch videos of our podcast on YouTube: ParentingU playlist.