"How Can I Talk to My Middle Schooler About Pride Month?" (Morning Air)

This month can be challenging and overwhelming for you as a parent. How can you help your middle school children know the truth about God's plan for love and sexuality?   Meet Colin & Aimee MacIver Colin and Aimee MacIver, theology teachers at St. Scholastica Academy in Covington, Louisiana, are experts on this topic and have middle school kids of their own.   🗣️ Starting Conversations Early   Colin’s Advice:   Early and Often: Start conversations about faith, love, and sexuality early and have them often. June provides a unique opportunity to discuss God's plan for love, sex, and marriage.   Honesty is Key: Always tell your kids the truth and be the primary source of information for them.   Aimee’s Approach:   Guarding Innocence: Equip children with the truth about God's beautiful plan for life and love.   Avoiding the Bubble: Realistically prepare kids for the culture they're exposed to by being proactive in discussions.   ❓ Tough Questions & Honest Answers   Middle schoolers often have tough questions about their identity and bodies. Here’s how the MacIvers suggest handling these:   Free Question Fridays: A safe space for kids to ask any questions, revealing their concerns and curiosities.   Real-Life Scenarios: When confronted with situations in the real world, use it as an opportunity to discuss dignity and God's plan, emphasizing love and truth.   ❤️ Charity and Truth in Discussions   Colin’s Tips:   Dignity First: Always start by recognizing the dignity of every person.   Continuous Conversations: Repeatedly share and reinforce the truth, leaning on God’s word and Church teachings.   Aimee’s Tips:   Take a Deep Breath: Approach difficult conversations without panic. It's okay to revisit and adjust discussions.   Us vs. Them: Avoid false dichotomies. Teach kids that it's not about "us vs. them" but about loving all as God’s children.   🌿 Embracing Theology of the Body The MacIvers highlight the significance of St. John Paul II’s Theology of the Body in today's culture:   Body and Soul Unity: Help kids understand their identity as a unity of body and soul.   God's Plan: Emphasize that the body is good and essential to our nature, countering cultural distortions.   🎁 Final Takeaway This conversation is a timely reminder that God equips us to raise children as saints, even amidst cultural challenges. Embrace these teachings and have those important conversations with love, truth, and confidence in God’s plan. 🙏✨   The best way to listen to the Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It’s free, and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out here: Get the App - Relevant Radio