Lent might not seem a child friendly time of year.
But I think we big time under estimate kids … even littlies … if we think they won’t “get” it.
Kids are actually really good at all the old rituals.
Giving things up for Lent, totally makes sense to them after the wild party of Mardi Gras or the face stuffing gluttony of Pancake Day.
And they get that Easter Sunday will be much more joyful, after 40 days of “giving up”.
So, Lent is actually a great opportunity for the whole family to pull together in a common challenge AND totally reset the family’s habits and behaviour whilst you’re at it.
In 40 days, most new habits will become pretty sticky so all that great new behaviour won’t just go straight out of the window on Easter Monday.
And our body will naturally help us out because in the 40 days of Lent
- Our taste buds will regenerate so we can totally change the foods we prefer
- AND blood sugar levels can be reduced enough to break the sugar craving cycle
Obviously, you need to get everyone’s buy in but even that process is valuable, as it gets the whole family to think about what they would like to change in family life, whether it’s
- spending more real time together … i.e. minus TV, computers, phones etc
- being more healthy
- saving up money for something really important
- helping out others as a family etc.
Oh and don’t forget you do get a dispensation to celebrate St Patrick’s Day and if you’re a Brit eat huge quantities of cake on Mothering Sunday 🙂
30 Things to Give Up For Lent
- Chocolate
- Sweets
- Cakes & Desserts
- Cookies
- Sodas
- Fast Food
- Take Aways
- Ready Meals
- Meat
- Chips / Crisps
- Salt on table & added to food
- Ice Cream
- Pizza
- Caffeine
- TV
- Computer Games
- The Car
- Magazines, Comics & Newspapers
- Paid for Trips
- Non-Essential Spend
- Toys
- Arguments
- Shouting
- Late Nights
- Messiness
- Texting
- Cell Phone
Good luck with your efforts for Lent. Don’t forget to check out our Mardi Gras Activities for Kids post and our 100 Pancakes Toppings post for more inspiration.
You always have the best lists. So many good thoughts here.
Aw thanks Patti 🙂
My 4 yo is very convinced we’re going to manage a whole 40 days of no chocolate AND no mess … hmmm …
Visiting from The Pin Junkie Link Party … Thanks for so many ideas to consider since Lent will be here soon 🙂 I have a friend who jokes every year that she is giving up dusting for Lent LoL
What a good idea 😉
Although, it does get so much worse if you leave it 🙁
I love your list of ideas! My children really put a lot of thought into what they would like to give up and it’s important to them:) Thanks for sharing some more ideas!
Great ideas! Maybe I can get hubs and autistic son to buy into something, as long as everyone in the house does it.
Janet
🙂 What are take aways?
Nice, long list! Thanks for joining the WWDParty. Please link to us somewhere on your blog or in the actual posts.
they all sound like good ideas great things to give up
come see us at http://shopannies.blogspot.com
Wonderful list and it gets us thinking, for sure. Thanks so much for sharing at our Best Of The Weekend party! Pinning this to our party board. Have a great weekend! xo
Great list – Thanks for linking up with the Parenting Pin It Party this week.
What a great list!! I have also heard of families that try to do something for someone else every day of Lent. Thank you for sharing at Sharing Saturday!
What a lovely idea Carrie