7 Ideas for Praying the Rosary as a Family
So, yesterday I laid it on pretty thick, offering you 7 reasons why all families (including your family) really need to be praying the Rosary.
I know how tough it is, and it is always going to be tough, but it isn’t impossible. It isn’t! And, since 7 feels like a good number, I have rounded up 7 ideas to get you started. These ideas will help get the kids on board with praying the Rosary and establish this powerful prayer as part of your day together.
#1: Special Rosaries for the Kids
Purchasing or making each child a special rosary was super important for our family. Our kids know exactly which rosary to grab as we sit down to pray and they feel ownership in the prayer because they do love the rosary that is theirs.
#2: Create a Prayer Space
Find a place to pray that is as distraction free as possible. Remove tempting toys or screens and set up a few objects (like a crucifix, picture of Mary or Jesus) that you can look at as you pray.
#3: Start Small
Admittedly, our family does not pray a full Rosary each night. We pray only one decade a night, sometimes two if things are going well. We hope to build up to a full Rosary some day, but that’s all we can do right now.
So, if you can’t pray a whole Rosary right now either, don’t feel bad! Do what you can.
#4: Use Images
Several of our squirmier kids really benefit from looking at images as they pray. They love looking at the images in our Rosary Board Books (even a few of the older kids) and we are working on new Rosary Books for older kids, coming out this Fall!
#5: Give Everyone a Job
As soon as possible, we get the kids leading the prayers. Our three year old leads a prayer or two with mom, but all of the others love taking turns leading an entire decade.
#6: Create a Habit
When you discover a time, place and method for praying the Rosary that works for your family, make it a habit. Pull the family together each night at the same time and do it so faithfully that skipping it feels as strange as forgetting to get dressed in the morning.
#7: Just Start
Above all else, it is most important that you just start.
Don’t wait to find the perfect rosary for each child. Don’t wait to rearrange the living room or fill a binder with images of the mysteries of the Rosary. Just start now and add those things as you can.
Once again, I hope this list was helpful and inspiring. You can lead your family in the Rosary. You can!
And, if purchasing a copy of our Rosary Board Books would be helpful as you dive into this devotion, remember to get your copy this week, while we are offering a free Litany of Loreto Storybook with each purchase.
Our Lady of the Rosary,
PRAY FOR US!
In Christ Jesus,