Catholic Parents Online

How did Gender Theory originate? What were the philosophical ideas that have caused the cultural confusion we are witnessing today in some societies? Who was Dr John Money, and how did he contribute to this idea that gender is a mere social construct rather than something that is innate to a person?

Learn more about Catholic Parents Online at www.catholicparents.online

#gendertheory #catholicparenting #catholicparentsonline

In recent times, we have often been asked about “gender theory” by Catholic parents, and how we are to approach it.

As such, we have embarked on this series on “Gender Theory” in an endeavour to shed some light on this seemingly complicated topic through the lens of reason and faith. We hope and pray that this will provide parents with a better grasp of this topic as we continue to navigate the ever-changing challenges facing us in our vocation.

This episode is the first in the series, and provides an introduction to the topic by discussing the etymology of the word “gender” and what “Gender Theory” proposes.

Resources

"Why Gender Differences Matter", Christopher West: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ICbtmdrpcI

Declaration “Dignitas Infinita” On Human Dignity, Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, 2 April 2024: https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/documents/rc_ddf_doc_20240402_dignitas-infinita_en.html

“What is Gender? A Guide Through Gender Terms”, Jason Evert: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NaCSFv07Em0

Learn more about Catholic Parents Online at www.catholicparents.online

#catholicparents #catholicparenting #catholicparentsonline

In recent times, there appear to have been more conversations and articles written about "toxic masculinity", whether in print or social media.

Based on this reading, which in turn is based on rather rigid stereotypical ideas about masculinity, it is used to dominate and use, even abuse, our female counterparts for the man’s gratification.

Yet, what is masculinity in the first place? Is authentic masculinity really toxic? Or is it a disordered version of it the cause of much of the woes that we see in our families and society today?

We examine these questions, and share with listeners what God had planned for masculinity from the beginning.

See also:

"What Does True Masculinity Look Like?": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jeVj8ysdTJQ

"Christopher West on Faith, Family & the Future of Masculinity": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=630dGpRtvo0

Learn more about Catholic Parents Online at www.catholicparents.online

#catholicparents #catholicparenting #catholicparentsonline #masculinity #toxicmasculinity #theologyofthebody

A recent report, that should concern any parent, noted that more youth aged 19 and below committed sexual crimes in 2023, 470 to be exact, about 30 per cent more than in 2022.

One of the main reasons cited was their exposure to pornography. According to experts, research has shown that teens who view pornography are likely to experience greater emotional and behavioural problems, earlier sexual experimentation, greater sexual permissiveness, greater objectification of women, and higher risk of sexual aggression.

It is indeed an urgent call for parents to see what we can do to protect our kids from becoming abusers or abused. Here are some points as to what we can do to help our children in this area.

Resources:

1. The Toxic Nature of Porn: https://www.ruahwoodsinstitute.org/the-toxic-nature-of-porn/

2. Understanding Pornography and Its Effects on Us and Our Children: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uk1u8q1CUsg

3. Protecting Our Children from Pornography: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLzet2NkWqU

4. Introduction to Sexuality Education: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=haZLE3DSfGg

5. Talking to Our Children About Sexuality: https://catholicparents.online/episodes/sexuality/

Learn more about Catholic Parents Online at catholicparents.online

#catholicparents #catholicparenting #catholicparentsonline #chastity

The Ministry of Health released new screen time guidelines for children in 2023.

In this interview, Ms Natalie Lim, Principal Psychologist, shares with us how these guidelines can be implemented for our children.

In addition, she shares with us how she and her husband help their teens manage screen time as well.

Learn more about Catholic Parents Online atcatholicparents.online

#screentime#digitalmedia#catholicparents#catholicparenting#catholicparentsonline

It is always heartening to hear from teens as to how we can use social media safely and responsibly. Here is some advice from some teens to others as to how they can do just that.

Resources

Best advice from teen girls on the use of social media:https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/parenting-education/best-advice-from-teen-girls-on-the-use-of-social-media 

Episode 37—Helping Our Children Manage the Digital World:https://catholicparents.online/2022/10/07/episode-37-manage-the-digital-world/

Episode 38—Helping Our Children Manage Screen Time:https://catholicparents.online/2022/10/21/episode-38-managing-screen-time/

Episode 39—Managing Digital Devices:https://catholicparents.online/2022/10/28/episode-39-managing-digital-devices/

Learn more about Catholic Parents Online at catholicparents.online

#catholicparents #catholicparenting #catholicparentsonline #socialmedia #onlinesafety #managingsocialmedia

One of the best ways we can be gift to our children is by living a sacramental marriage founded on the love of Christ and His Church. And many of us have entered marriage thinking that it would be a case of "living happily ever after".

However, experience tells us it is anything but. The fact is, ups and downs abound in any marriage. Yet through the challenges and vicissitudes of married life, we have the choice to become bitter or better for it. Which do we choose?

Through this interview, Alphonsus and Cyrine Gregory share with us the challenges of marriage, and how we can make the choice to make ourselves and each other better for it, through the grace of God. 

Learn more about Catholic Parents Online at https://catholicparents.online/ 

Resources

1.    Worldwide Marriage Encounter Singapore:https://wwmesg.org/

2.    Couple Empowerment Programme Singapore:http://cep-sg.org/

3.    Couples for Christ Singapore:https://couplesforchrist.org.sg/

#catholicparents #catholicparenting #catholicparentsonline #marriage

A recent article in our local newspaper reported that about 800 students were referred to the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) for #vaping offences in 2022, a 16-fold increase from 2019. What is more, this seems to be an underestimate.

Another report suggested that up to 40 percent of residents in our universities' halls are using vaporisers, or vapes for short. Why are our young drawn to this practice which we know is hazardous to health? What can we parents do to help them avoid it?

Resources

"Connecting with Our Children" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fuh8lSpQFgM

"Understanding Substance Abuse and Its Prevention" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nu2qm8FR-eo

Learn more about Catholic Parents Online at catholicparents.online

#catholicparents #catholicparentsonline #catholicparenting #mentalhealth #addiction

Many of our children (and us parents) experience examination stress at some time or another. While we want to help our children perform well in school, we are also aware that, if such stress is not handled well, our children may be driven to rebellion, anxiety, depression, despair, or in the worst-case scenario, even suicide.

How can we help our children (and ourselves) manage examination stress? What should our attitude be towards examinations, and education in general? In this interview, Dr Penny Tok, a child psychologist in private practice, answers these questions, and more.

#catholicparents #catholicparentsonline #catholicparenting #examstress

The Catholic Church has often been accused of being anti-science, and the saga involving Galileo Galilei is commonly used to illustrate this point. In this interview, Mr Nick Chui shares with us insights into what actually happened in the Church’s interaction with Galileo, as well as some interesting facts about the Inquisition. Finally, we discuss whether faith is indeed opposed to science.

Mr Nick Chui holds a Masters in Theology from the Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Marriage and Family, and is a history educator by profession.

Resources:

"How the Catholic Church Built Western Civilization" by Thomas E Woods: https://shop.catholic.com/how-the-catholic-church-built-western-civilization/

"God's Philosophers: How the Medieval World Laid the Foundations of Modern Science" by James Hannam: https://www.amazon.sg/Gods-Philosophers-Medieval-Foundations-Science/dp/1848311508

Learn more about Catholic Parents Online at catholicparents.online

#catholicparents #catholicparentsonline #catholicparenting #faithandscience

Sexual desire is powerful. And throughout human history, it seems to have gotten many people into trouble. 

Why do we have sexual desire? What is it for? What should we do with it? Suppress it? Indulge in it? Or is there another way? 

We discuss God's plan for sexual desire, and how we can direct it in a way that helps us find true love and happiness.

Resources:

"Chastity — Same as Celibacy?" by Catholic Parents Online https://youtu.be/9kcxlxSb4WE

"What to Do with Your 'Sexual Needs' as a Christian" by Dr Christopher West https://youtu.be/vx_iMIqQPL4

"Sexual Desire and Lust: What's the Difference?" by Fr Mike Schmitz and Jason Evert https://youtu.be/dDzDH1WRbtM

"How Do You Deal with Sexual Desires?" by Jason Evert https://youtu.be/ouIE4LjU2Eo

Learn more about Catholic Parents Online at catholicparents.online

#catholicparents #catholicparenting #catholicparentsonline #sexualdesire #chastity

What if our child tells us that he or she is "gay" or "lesbian"? How should we respond?

Amidst the turmoil of emotions many of us might feel, Mr Nicholas Gabriel Lim shares with us some useful tips to help us respond in a way that will not only preserve the precious parent-child relationship, but also enable us to embark on the journey with them in a Christ-like way.

Resources:

1. "Homosexuality, Gay Marriage, and Holiness" https://youtu.be/bLrRfwpvERU

2. “Ministering to the Catholic LGBTQ Community: Fr Adrian Danker, SJ” https://youtu.be/2Gkz8eHBIYk

3. Courage Singaporehttps://courage.org.sg/

4. Courage Internationalhttps://couragerc.org/

5. Encourage Singapore https://courage.org.sg/encourage/

6. Letter to the Bishops of the Catholic Church on the Pastoral Care of Homosexual Persons, Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, 1 October 1986.

Learn more about Catholic Parents Online at catholicparents.online

#catholicparents #catholicparenting #catholicparentsonline #samesexattraction #homosexualitycatholicchurch

When it comes to the topic of same-sex attraction, the Church has, unfortunately, often been seen as unforgiving, even harsh, in its teachings and attitude towards persons with this condition.

On the contrary, the Catechism tells us: "They must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided.” (CCC 2358)

Let us consider how we, as Catholic parents, can share with our children what the Church actually teaches on this topic, and very importantly too, how we are called to respond to these persons as brothers and sisters in Christ.

Resources:

1.    "Homosexuality, Gay Marriage, and Holiness": https://youtu.be/bLrRfwpvERU

2.    “Ministering to the Catholic LGBTQ Community — Fr Adrian Danker, SJ”: https://youtu.be/2Gkz8eHBIYk

3.    Courage Singapore: https://courage.org.sg/

4.    Courage Internationalhttps://couragerc.org/

5.   Letter to the Bishops of the Catholic Church on the Pastoral Care of Homosexual Persons, Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, 1 October 1986: https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/documents/rc_con_cfaith_doc_19861001_homosexual-persons_en.html

Learn more about Catholic Parents Online at catholicparents.online

#catholicparents #catholicparenting #catholicparentsonline #samesexattraction #homosexualitycatholicchurch

As Catholic parents, one of the biggest hopes we have is for our children to become a priest/religious, or if God calls otherwise, to find the right spouse in life. Yet, at the same time, we also know how factors such as emotions and misplaced compassion may lead our children to make the wrong choice.

In this interview, Dr Christopher Cheok shares with us insights into what these common pitfalls are. With this, we will be better equipped to share with our children tips to help them in making the right choice when choosing a life partner.

Resources:

1. "Is He/She the One?" Jason Evert: https://chastity.com/podcast/is-he-she-the-one/

2. "Top 10 Guys to Avoid", Jason Evert: https://chastity.com/podcast/top-10-guys-to-avoid/

3. "Marrying the Right Person", Jackie Francois Angel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98ozGTvoo-c

Learn more about Catholic Parents Online at catholicparents.online

#marriagepreparation #catholicparents #catholicparenting #catholicparentsonline #marriage #whatismarriage

More marriages are breaking down, and many of these have been attributed to extra-marital affairs. Why do some people cheat on their spouses? What can spouses do to prevent this from happening in their own marriages?

Drawing from his experience in his work as a psychiatrist, Dr Christopher Cheok shares with us insights into this issue.

Learn more about Catholic Parents Online at catholicparents.online

#catholicparents #catholicparenting #catholicparentsonline #marriage #whatismarriage

What is God’s plan for marriage between a man and a woman? Did St Paul really justify male domination by saying, “Wives, submit to your husbands?” (Ephesians 5:22)

If not, what did he really mean in Ephesians chapter 5?

This episode discusses God’s plan, from the very beginning, for the institution of marriage between a man and a woman.

Resources:

Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2331 to 2336 http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p3s2c2a6.htm

"Making a Total Gift of Self in Marriage” https://youtu.be/ShHTvbZou-Y

"The Powerful Sacrament of Matrimony” https://youtu.be/7G7-0p43U5c

“Why Gender Differences Matter" https://youtu.be/9ICbtmdrpcI

Learn more about Catholic Parents Online at catholicparents.online

#catholicparents #catholicparenting #catholicparentsonline #whatismarriage #marriage

One of the biggest questions from our children nowadays, and perhaps one of the most challenging, is this: "Why should marriage be only between man and woman?"

With all the influence from social media and contemporary culture, it is not difficult to see why many can be so befuddled by this question.

We will look at this issue from the perspective of reason. It will help us understand what marriage is in essence, and the important role it plays for the good of spouses, children and society.

Resource: "What Is Marriage?" by Sherif Girgis, Ryan T Anderson & Robert P George, Harvard Journal of Law and Public Policy 34:1 (Winter, 2010): https://www.harvard-jlpp.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/21/2013/10/GeorgeFinal-1.pdf

Learn more about Catholic Parents Online at catholicparents.online

#catholicparents #catholicparenting #catholicparentsonline #marriage

Fathering has never been easy since time immemorial. More so in modern times with higher expectations for fathers to perform both at home and in the workplace.

How can Catholic fathers exercise our role in bringing up our children well? How can they deal with the need to balance pressures at work and at home? How can wives support their husbands in this vocation?

Dr Christopher Cheok shares with us some tips on how fathers can handle these challenges and become even better fathers in the process.

Resources:

1. Fathers for Good - http://www.fathersforgood.org/

2. Catechesis on Saint Joseph: 8. Saint Joseph, father in tenderness, Pope Francis, 19 March 2022 - https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/audiences/2022/documents/20220119-udienza-generale.html

3. The duties of parents (CCC, 2221 to 2230) - http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p3s2c2a4.htm

Learn more about Catholic Parents Online at catholicparents.online

#catholicparents #catholicparentsonline #catholicparenting #catholicfathers

Managing rebellious teens has never been an easy task for many of us parents. What causes them to be rebellious? What can we do when they are? How should we respond?

Mr Nicholas Gabriel Lim, a psychologist/counsellor who has worked with many youths, shares with us some insights into this issue.

Resources:

https://nicholasgabriellim.com/

"Parenting Your Teens and Tweens with Grace", Gregory and Lisa Popcak, 2021.

"Parenting with Grace: The Catholic Parents’ Guide to Raising Almost Perfect Kids", Gregory and Lisa Popcak, 2021.

Learn more about Catholic Parents Online at catholicparents.online

#catholicparents #catholicparentsonline #catholicparenting #managingteens

"Why should I be Catholic?"

This is not an uncommon question that Catholic parents might face as our children grow up and grapple with the concept of faith and God.

How do we know if what we know about Jesus from the Gospels is true? And how can we be sure the Catholic Church is indeed the one true Church that God has willed to continue His saving mission on earth?

We explore these questions and discuss why the Catholic Church provides the surest way of helping us find true happiness, and ultimately to get to Heaven.

Resources:

1. "Why I Am Catholic (and You Should Be Too)" [Paperback] by Brandon Vogt, Published February 22, 2019 https://www.avemariapress.com/products/why-i-am-catholic-and-you-should-be-too- paperback

2. "3 Reasons Why You Should be Catholic" by Matthew Nelson https://www.wordonfire.org/articles/fellows/3-reasons-why-you-should-be-catholic/

3. "What's so great about being Catholic?" - Jason Evert https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MBkoII7Xmyc

4. The Case for Jesus Course by Dr Brandt Pitre https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YfQ-OKjl1ZQ

5. "The Case for Jesus" – book by Dr Brandt Pitre, published February 2, 2016 https://www.lighthousecatholicmedia.org/store/title/the-case-for-jesus-book

Learn more about Catholic Parents Online at catholicparents.online

#whybecatholic #catholicparents #catholicparenting #catholicparentsonline #catholicfaith #catholicfaithformation

It is quite certain that many of us try to raise our children to love God. Yet, many of our youth seem to have lost sight of who God is, or more basically even, whether God exists.

In the post-modern world of today, many doubt God’s existence because they do not find evidence for Him in our world. However, is this true? How can we convince our children that God does indeed exist?

We share two ways (out of the many available) to help us prove God’s existence.

Resources:

Five Ways to Prove God Exists (Aquinas 101), The Thomistic Institute

St. Thomas Aquinas’ Favorite Argument for the Existence of God (Aquinas 101), The Thomistic Institute

Explaining Thomas Aquinas’ Proofs, Pints With Aquinas

Five Proofs of the Existence of GodbyEdward Feser, Ignatius Press

Learn more about Catholic Parents Online at catholicparents.online

#proofsforgod #catholicparents #catholicparenting #catholicparentsonline #catholicfaith #catholicfaithformation #scienceandfaith #doesgodexist

Has the development of science disproven the need for #God, and thus the need for faith? Is faith just an irrational belief in a system of thought that is contrary to the #logic provided us by science? Unfortunately many people, including many of our children, believe this to be the case. We need to correct this misperception that is so prevalent today.

We discuss the relationship between #faith and #science, and show why they do not contradict each other, but rather complement each other in our pursuit of truth.

Resources:

Does Science Contradict Faith?, The Thomistic Institute

Seven Ways Faith and Reason Work Together, The Thomistic Institute

Fides et Ratio: Encyclical Letter on the Relationship Between Faith and Reason, Pope St John Paul II

Learn more about Catholic Parents Online at catholicparents.online

#catholicparents #catholicparenting #catholicparentsonline #catholicfath #catholicfaithformation #scienceandfaith

As Catholic parents, we want our children to grow up well in the faith and to practise the virtues, defined in the Catechism as a "habitual and firm disposition to do the good" (#1803). This necessarily involves discipline.

How can we discipline our young children in a way that will instil in them the love for a virtuous life? Ms Melissa Huang, a qualified early childhood educator and Catholic mother, shares with us some tips in this area.

Resources:

Parents.Catholic.Sg, an initiative by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Singapore to support Catholic parents in their role as the first catechists of their children’s faith.

The Peyton Institute for Domestic Church Life

Virtues and Happiness, The Thomistic Institute

Learn more about Catholic Parents Online at catholicparents.online

#catholicparents #catholicparentsonline #catholicparenting #catholicfaith #catholicfaithformation #virtues

Anecdotal experience suggests that many of our teens leave the Church not long after receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation. How can we reverse this trend? How can we keep our teens in Church, not just physically, but in a way that engages and helps them appreciate and treasure the faith better?

Mr Nick Chui, who holds a Masters in Theology from the Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Marriage and Family, and is an educator by profession, shares with us what may be needed to achieve this.

Resources:

Parents.Catholic.Sg, an initiative by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Singapore to support Catholic parents in their role as the first catechists of their children’s faith.

The Peyton Institute for Domestic Church Life

Learn more about Catholic Parents Online at catholicparents.online

#catholicparents #catholicparenting #catholicparentsonline #catholicfaith #catholicfaithformation

As Catholic parents, it is so important for us to share our faith with our children. Why is this so? When can we begin this process? And how can we go about doing this?

Melissa Huang, a qualified early childhood educator and Catholic mother of three young children, shares with us her insights into these questions.

Resources:

Parents.Catholic.Sg, an initiative by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Singapore to support Catholic parents in their role as the first catechists of their children’s faith.

The Peyton Institute for Domestic Church Life

Learn more about Catholic Parents Online at catholicparents.online

#catholicparents #catholicparentsonline #catholicparenting #faithformation

All of us have been brought up differently, simply because different parents have different parenting styles. For better or for worse, many of us tend to emulate the methods our parents used.

We interview Mr Steven Yeo, counsellor and family therapist, who shares with us positive parenting styles that can help us bond better with our children and in the process help them flourish according to God’s wonderful plan for each and every one of them.

Resources:

Parents.Catholic.Sg, an initiative by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Singapore to support Catholic parents in their role as the first catechists of their children’s faith.

The Peyton Institute for Domestic Church Life

Quizzes in the 5 Languages of Love

Learn more about Catholic Parents Online at catholicparents.online

#positiveparenting #catholicparents #catholicparentsonline #catholicparenting #faithformation

Challenges await our children at different times of their lives from very early on in their lives, be these physical, emotional, academic or spiritual. 

Dr Christine Tan E-Ching shares with us how we can cultivate the virtue of #fortitude in our #children as we build their #resilience and prepare them to meet #challenges that will inevitably arise.

Resources:

Parents.Catholic.Sg, an initiative by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Singapore to support Catholic parents in their role as the first catechists of their children’s faith.

The Peyton Institute for Domestic Church Life

Education in Virtue, The Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist

Aquinas 101: Fortitude, The Thomistic Institute

Learn more about Catholic Parents Online at catholicparents.online

#catholicparents #catholicparentsonline #catholicparenting #mentalhealth #faithformation

Many of us would go out of our way to help our children succeed in life. We enrol them for enrichment classes in pre-school; some even for tuition classes at such a tender age; we enrol them in the best schools which we think will provide them with the best education. The list goes on. In all likelihood, we do these because we want our children to succeed later in life. Yet what is success? What are the qualities that our children need to succeed in life?

We look at these questions, and explore why the virtues are needed to help our children truly succeed in life.

Resources:

Education in Virtue, The Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist

Aquinas 101: Virtue, The Thomistic Institute

Learn more about Catholic Parents Online at catholicparents.online

#catholicparents #catholicparentsonline #catholicparenting

It is our primary duty as Catholic parents to share the beauty of the #faith we have with our children. How do we go about doing this? We discuss what faith is and how we can transmit it more effectively to our children, as we continue to fulfil our mission as priest, prophet and king in our family.

Resources:

Parents.Catholic.Sg, an initiative by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Singapore to support Catholic parents in their role as the first catechists of their children’s faith.

The Peyton Institute for Domestic Church Life

Learn more about Catholic Parents Online at catholicparents.online

#catholicparents #catholicparentsonline #catholicparenting

Many of us might have thought that, with greater wealth, conveniences and technological progress today, our young should be happier than before.

Yet a national study published recently showed that about one in three #youth in #Singapore has reported internalising mental health symptoms such as sadness, #anxiety and #loneliness.

Something seems to be missing in our #children's lives. What is this? And as Catholic #parents, how can we help our children find true happiness?

Resources:

“Resolved to earn more money in 2023? Richer doesn’t mean happier“, The Straits Times

“Good genes are nice, but joy is better“, The Harvard Gazette

“Introduction to the Theology of the Body“, Catholic Parents Online

“Why we need God at the centre of our family“, Catholic Parents Online

Learn more about Catholic Parents Online at catholicparents.online

#catholicparents #catholicparentsonline #catholicparenting #mentalhealth

The abuse of substances such as alcohol and drugs such as cannabis seems to have gotten worse in recent times. Another dangerous practice – vaping – has also been on the rise and in the news recently.

As parents, how can we prevent our children from falling into this abyss? Or if they have, how can we help them get out of it?

In this interview, Dr Christopher Cheok, Psychiatrist, Senior Consultant and Chief, Department of Forensic Psychiatry at the Institute of Mental Health, tackles these issues and more.

Learn more about Catholic Parents Online at catholicparents.online

#catholicparents #catholicparentsonline #catholicparenting #drugaddiction #mentalhealth

Given the time spent by many children online and on gaming consoles, gaming addiction is an issue that many parents are rightfully concerned about. In this interview, Dr Christopher Cheok shares with us how such addiction develops, and what measures we can take as parents to prevent or overcome this with our children.

Learn more about Catholic Parents Online at catholicparents.online.

#catholicparents #catholicparentsonline #catholicparenting #cybersafety #gamingaddiction

Social media is replete with numerous posts that are untrue, unkind and even unbecoming. It is so easy for us and our children to fall into this trap, if we do not think first and discern what and how we should post on social media platforms.

We discuss 3 broad principles that will help us guide our children in using such platforms safely, properly and responsibly.

Learn more about Catholic Parents Online at catholicparents.online

#cybersafety #catholicparents #catholicparenting

Sexting is a rather new phenomenon that has arisen among the young over the past 10 to 15 years or so, and which has rightfully sparked concern among parents.

How prevalent is it? Why do teens engage in it in the first place? We discuss what we as Catholic parents can do to protect our children from this disconcerting phenomenon.

Learn more about Catholic Parents Online at catholicparents.online

#cybersafety #mentalhealth #catholicparents #catholicparenting

Pornography is a multi-billion-dollar industry that has devastated individuals, marriages, and families.

According to the American College of Paediatricians, “consumption of pornography is associated with many negative emotional, psychological, and physical health outcomes. These include increased rates of depression, anxiety, acting out and violent behaviour, younger age of sexual debut, sexual promiscuity, increased risk of teen pregnancy, and a distorted view of relationships between men and women.”

In Singapore, a survey in 2016 indicated that 91 percent of teenage boys and 35 percent of teenage girls had watched or read sexually explicit materials within the previous year.

By now, the statistics are likely to be worse.

As parents, we cannot but be concerned about the negative impact of pornography on our children.

We discuss what we as Catholic parents can do to protect our children from the scourge of pornography.

Learn more about Catholic Parents Online at catholicparents.online

#cybersafety #chastity #catholicparents #catholicparenting

While the internet has brought much benefit, there are also many dangers that lurk in there, ready to pounce on our unsuspecting children if we do not put measures in place to protect them online.

While no method is perfect, there are many measures we can take as parents to protect our children in the digital era.

We discuss the various levels of protection and security we can put in place to do just that, and keep our children as safe as we possibly can in the rapidly evolving world that is the internet.

Learn more about Catholic Parents Online at catholicparents.online

#cybersafety #chastity #catholicparents #catholicparenting

Studies have shown that excessive media use can lead to attention problems, school difficulties, sleep and eating disorders and obesity. In addition, the Internet and cell phones can provide platforms for illicit and risky behaviours.

How can we help our children manage devices?

We address these questions and propose guidelines for parents to help children manage devices in a safe and responsible way.

Learn more about Catholic Parents Online at catholicparents.online

#cybersafety #mentalhealth #catholicparents #catholicparenting

One of the biggest challenges we face as parents today is helping our children manage screen time.

In a local survey, more than 60% of parents were not aware of the actual recommendations for physical activity and screen time.

What are the recommendations from professional bodies when it comes to screen time for children? How can we help our children manage screen time?

We address these questions and propose guidelines for parents to follow in our efforts to help our children manage screen time in a healthy way.

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#cybersafety #mentalhealth #catholicparents #catholicparenting

In recent years, we have noticed more advertisements of parties and events celebrating #Halloween. More often than not, there is much emphasis on the gory and the scary, with decorations and costumes that depict evil, ghosts, zombies and the like.

As #Catholic parents, what can we tell our children about Halloween? What can we do in the face of the current trend?

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Managing the digital world ourselves is in itself a challenging enterprise. What more with our children? We cover the basic principles of engagement with our children in managing digital media, so that they can do so as safely and responsibly as possible.

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We cannot deny that the advent of the internet has certainly brought about much good. Yet, many of us are also acutely aware of the dangers that come along with it. And if not managed, these dangers that lurk in the digital world can cause much harm to our children, ourselves and our families.

But why is the digital world so attractive, and sometimes even addictive? What is its impact on ourselves and our children?

We suggest answers to these questions, and introduce our series on helping our children manage the digital world.

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#chastity #catholicparents #catholicparenting #cybersafety

While the act of direct abortion is to be judged as absolutely wrong and can never be justified in any way, Jesus never fails to remind us that we should neither judge nor condemn persons.

How can we support those who are considering abortion, as well as those who have already had an abortion before?

We discuss these questions and more, as we explore the pastoral aspects of abortion.

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#abortion #rachelsvineyard #catholicparents #catholicparenting

There has been much rhetoric and slogans when topics such as abortion are discussed. Many of us know what our stand is, or at least should be. However, we may not be quite sure how to articulate it.

Here we share how we can speak about abortion with our children and form them in this area, in order that they may be more aware of the real issues involved and thereby be better able to form their judgment on this topic.

More episodes and resources can be found at https://catholicparents.online/

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As human persons, we are made in the image and likeness of God. The only appropriate response to each and every one of us is love. To be loved as God loves, and never to be used or abused.

This is why sexual abuse of minors is one issue that all of us parents should be concerned with.

Are there warning signs that we can look out for in our children that might indicate they have been sexually abused? As parents, how can we protect our children from this scourge? What can we do to minimise their vulnerability? Are there any avenues we can turn to, should anything untoward happen to our children in this area?

In this interview with Dr Christopher Cheok, Senior Consultant at the Institute of Mental Health, we address these questions and more.

Many of us have heard of the Theology of the Body, a beautiful series of catechesis on human love in the divine plan given to us by Pope St John Paul II.

Yet, does it deal only with sexual love, or more than that? What does it really encompass? And why is it so beneficial to know this teaching as parents who want to let our children know who they are, whose they are, where their destiny lies, and what they would want to do to get there?

This interview with Mr Andrew Kong covers these and more.

Breaking free from any addiction is never easy. Let us listen to "Augustine" on catholicparents.online as he shares with us how he managed to overcome his addiction to pornography.

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Pornography is a multi-billion-dollar industry. And it has had a huge impact on individuals, families and societies.

How does pornography affect us and our children? How do people get addicted to it? Can we overcome pornography addiction? If so, how? And how can we protect our children from its snares? 

Join us as we interview Dr Christopher Cheok, Senior Consultant at the Institute of Mental Health, as he helps us unpack these questions and more.

Learn more about Catholic Parents Online at catholicparents.online.

We and our children are bombarded by all sorts of influences, by the very fact of our participation in society. Some of these may be good, and some not so good, possibly even deleterious to our flourishing as human persons made in the image and likeness of God.

How can we respond to these influences, especially the negative ones? How does our faith help us on this journey to true fulfilment according to God’s plan for us?

Join us as we listen to Mr Bryan Shen’s input on this topic, and see how our faith plays such a significant part in our human flourishing.

Mr Shen is a Professional Counsellor & Supervisor Registered with the Singapore Association for Counselling (SAC). He has much experience in working with clients, both young and not so young, including parents. He is also a member of the IFTCC (International Federation for Therapeutic and Counselling and Choice).

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Sex education is ubiquitous in many school systems today. One of the common questions that many parents wrestle with is this: should we let our children attend these in school? Or should we just rely on the catechism classes in church to do the job? Or should we simply be the ones to teach it at home?

We discuss the various considerations Catholic parents can pray and discern over, in order to optimise the formation of our children in this area of sexuality education.

Many parents instinctively want our children to dress modestly, do we not? Why do we want to do so? What is wrong with our children showing off their “assets”?

We discuss these questions, and how we can go about forming our children in the virtue of modesty.

Surveys suggest that more people seem to be having premarital sex and living together before marriage.

Yet studies also suggest a positive correlation between these and subsequent divorce later.

As Catholic parents, we know that sexual intercourse is reserved for the married. After all, sexual intercourse is essentially a bodily proclamation of our wedding vows, a time when our wedding vows that we professed at the altar become flesh in and through our bodies. Anything other than marital intercourse speaks the language of the body falsely and in an incoherent manner.

Yet how can we form our children in this area? How can we equip them? Especially when many sectors of society and social media are telling them very different things and attempting to shape their values in a different way?

This episode discusses how we can approach this topic with our children, and prepare them to face the pressures, both subtle and not so subtle, that they will surely encounter in this world.

Learn more about Catholic Parents Online at catholicparents.online.

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How can we talk to our children about the morality of using condoms and other forms of contraception? This is not an easy topic, and many of us understandably struggle with it ourselves.

Once we are able to appreciate the Language of the Body, which speaks about our vocation to love as God loves in and through our bodies, our eyes will be opened to the wonder of this language that God has given to each and every one of us.

When that happens, the Church’s teachings in this area will no longer be seen as a repression of our sexual desire, but rather a redemption of it, in which we will be liberated to love in such a way as to give us a beautiful foretaste of the heavenly delights that await us.

Learn more about Catholic Parents Online at catholicparents.online.

How effective, really, is the condom in preventing sexually transmitted infections (or STIs)?

With all the information, and perhaps misinformation, that our teens are bombarded with from all avenues, it will be useful for us parents to be ready with the right questions, and the right answers.

In this episode, we discuss the medical data regarding the actual effectiveness of the condom in preventing pregnancy and STIs. We also discuss why it is so important for us to not just look at the biology behind this issue, but to understand it holistically, and consider the complex social, psychological and emotional aspects.

As a contributor to the British Medical Journal, Dr Stephen Genuis, once remarked, merely promoting condoms “disregards the complex nature of human sexuality and fails to tackle the underlying social and emotional needs of young people, who are often trapped in high-risk sexual behaviour as a consequence of difficult life circumstances.”

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Previously, we considered why masturbation is an objectively disordered act according to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and how we can form our children in this area.

In this episode, we discuss the 6 steps we can take as parents if we somehow suspect or find out that our children are already engaging in this activity, or other vices such as pornography.

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Many of us instinctively know that masturbation is not right. At the same time, we find much difficulty explaining to our children why this is so.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church tells us in no uncertain termsthat masturbation is an intrinsically and gravely disordered action, while acknowledging that certain conditions may “lessen, if not even reduce to a minimum, moral culpability.” (CCC, 2352).

How do we approach this topic with our children? What should we say to them?

This episode explores these questions and gives some tips as to how Catholic parents can talk with our children about this.

Learn more about Catholic Parents Online at catholicparents.online.

At this stage, as our kids become teens, lots of changes, both physical and emotional, will be taking place in their lives. They are developing a mind of their own, and talking about sexuality, and indeed any topic at all, will be quite different from the stages we have discussed before. It becomes less of a “talking down to”, but rather a “dialogue with”.

How can we go about this? How can we help them avoid the pitfalls of following the world’s plan, so to speak, so that they can continue to follow God’s plan instead and grow in His love, and ultimately experience the joy and fruits that this brings?

Learn more about Catholic Parents Online at catholicparents.online.