My daughter made me cry today (no, really)

We can spend most of our parenting worrying and questioning our decisions

I don’t think there is one parent (mother or father) who can say that they are 100% certain that they have made the correct choice for every parenting decision.

We can discern each choice (informed and equipped by sound Catholic parenting resources) and pray that the outcomes match our intentions.

Especially with so many of my children now grown and out of our home, there are moments when I wonder about the impact our parenting choices had on our family.

Last fall, my husband and I were invited on the Kolbecast Podcast to chat about how we raised our children and the importance of the Saints in our family culture. It was so fun thinking back on all the things we did with our kids when they were young and sharing our family stories on the podcast.

But–there is always a difference between the family culture WE PARENTS are striving to create and the day-to-day experiences of that culture by OUR CHILDREN.

And you wonder what they think, what they will remember, what had the most (and best) impact on them.

We were able to hear a bit of that perspective today.

Clara (my now adult daughter and the first of our children to come to work–paid!–at Holy Heroes full-time) was invited on the Catholic Homeschool Podcast to chat about her experiences growing up.

What would she say about her childhood and the impact of growing up alongside (and inside) our Holy Heroes family business? What did she and her siblings think about all of that while they were being homeschooled all the way through high school before leaving home for college?

Clara put the link to the podcast this morning on our family group text. It was an emotional listen for me as a mother who spent so much of her adult life raising little Catholics (and I’m still doing it).

Not only did it warm my heart (Ken and I listened to it all the way through together in the van!) but I choked up a bit not only from the things she said, but also all the texts from her siblings who also listened and commented (joked!) about her memories. No other family text has gotten such rapid responses from everyone (makes a mom very happy).

I think you’ll find it worth a listen because it will give you insights into what your children may also be thinking and experiencing.

Clara shares her growing up years, what it was like leaving home for college and her experiences there, her various jobs, and now coming back to Holy Heroes, including her creation of the Marian Consecration Family Adventure (which begins on February 21st–sign up here!). And, she shares what you can expect in this year’s Lenten Adventure, including our step-by-step Learn the Holy Mass segments!

She also shares an important update that she has made in Lenten Adventure after coming on full-time.

A surprise for me: Paola also asked about my two new Catholic children’s books: I Believe: The Apostles’ Creed in Sacred Art for Children and the fun family picture book Lucy & Patrick Pray the Rosary. Clara had sent her both these books, and it was wonderful to hear Paola (a grandmother like me now!) say that she will be sharing these stories with her grandbabies. So sweet!

If you aren’t signed up yet, you can sign up (for FREE!) for Lenten Adventure and Marian Consecration Family Adventure below! Clara has put so much work into both these programs, so please consider taking advantage of these fantastic resources!

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