At the end of last week, at a school in Cockfosters, London, Ten Ten Theatre and the CTS officially launched their booklet Being a Parent Today.

Ten Ten performed in front of an audience of the theatre company’s supporters, contributors to the book, local parents and others. The drama performances included scenes from three plays that the company puts on for children in schools across the UK, mixing humour with a strong Christian message, against a backdrop of everyday situations in families and between friends.

Fr Stephen Wang, who edited the text explained to those present:

“Ten Ten have been working with parents for a number of years, and there was a growing desire to give them some extra support and resources; not to provide a manual or a rule book, but something that would help them reflect on their own lives as parents, and learn from the wisdom and experience of other parents. I was asked to edit the booklet, so I put a simple question to various mothers and fathers I know, and some priests and teachers I have worked with: if you met some young parents starting out, what would you say to encourage them? It’s another way of asking: what do you wish someone had said to you when you were a new parent?

This new booklet is their responses: some very practical, some quite profound, some a little bit quirky and fun. We hope it will reach a lot of families. The reaction from parents so far has been very positive.”

Some say priests in particular should not have much to say about parenting; after all, they argue, priests have no personal experience.

“This view is nicely disproved by the example of the former Chelsea football manager José Mourinho.” Simone Finaldi from CTS explained. “He was by all accounts an unimpressive, slow and average football player, and yet he is unquestionably one of the best managers around.”

Mr Finaldi also read a message from the General Secretary of CTS, Fergal Martin, who said:

“The CTS is very proud to be part of this initiative. It is a fantastic new way for us to move forward in our mission to support Catholic families, children and young people. With this booklet we hope to provide a valuable resource to help in answering God’s call to love and support the children he gives to us.”

In straightforward language, this booklet deals with topics such as spending time together, listening, discipline, forgiveness, prayer, school, Sunday Mass, sex education, the internet, family celebrations, and much more. As well as helping individual families, it should prove invaluable for parishes and schools that are looking for resources to share with parents.

Being a Parent Today edited by Fr Stephen Wang, is available from CTS priced £2.50.

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Of related interest:

	Passing on Faith to Your Children – This booklet explores what kind of faith we are to pass on to our children, and then gives practical help on how to best give children a positive, rich and complete experience of Catholic Christianity.
	Family’s Mission to Love – This booklet gives case studies and practical tips on making the family a school of love not only for each other but for the outside world.
	Prayer in the Family -This booklet gives practical advice on how the home can become an authentic school of prayer.