Marian Devotion for the Imperfect Family

Here are just a couple of ideas that have helped our family of little ones grow in their love for Mary:

• Learn Marian hymns and sing them together. We started this when our first was very small. On the way to bed at night we would sing part of a Marian song and stop to kiss a picture of Mary that hangs outside our daughter’s room.
• Use images to teach little ones about the Mysteries of the Rosary. I like to print off pictures of the mysteries, or use icons or holy cards, so my children can hold them and look at them. Sometimes we spend more time talking about the picture than we do praying the Hail Mary’s, but they are actually meditating on the mysteries when we do this!
• Find an alternative to count out the decades if rosary beads don’t work. I hope we’ll eventually be able to use actual rosaries soon, but for now we need something else. My new favorite is using little flameless tea-lights; they love turning them on and the little lights keep their attention. It also helps us to set a tone of prayer and reverence.
• Let your kids get creative and give little “gifts” to Mary. Whatever little things your children like to make for you, encourage them to make something for their Heavenly Mama. We’ve taken dandelions to the Grotto, and offered Mary finger paintings and even a beaded bracelet.