Laying a Foundation of Faith for Your Kids

Caroline Godin considers the foundation of faith she’s tried to instill in her children and how it will help them in the storms of their lives.

It seems that, as kids get older, we’re constantly trying to find a new normal. From babies to toddlers to preschoolers, we’re constantly moving with them. Then it’s sports and after-school activities. Before you know it, driving lessons.  

As a mama, all I want is to instill a strong foundation of faith in Christ in my kids. I want to know that when the whirlwind of life takes them to college or an apartment or anywhere out of my reach, they have a faith in God to anchor them through their storms.  

In order to do that, it starts with me.  

My Storms  

Kids learn by imitating. We say “please” and “thank you” to teach them manners. We show them we’re reverent at Mass. When we can, we show them calmness in urgent situations, so they learn to be calm. Most importantly, we show them how to turn to prayer in times of need, so they’ll someday remember to do the same when their storms come.  

When my oldest two were small, I had a friend whose daughter was very sick. We would pray for her every night. They’d ask about her and we’d donate to her cause. When she passed, we talked about it and prayed for their family. This was perhaps their biggest lesson in praying for others and that prayer doesn’t always end in joy.  

When my husband and I were stretched tight and using the food pantry, we would get excited at everything provided. We’d thank God with the kids so they would hear that this is how to appreciate your blessings, to focus on abundance, not what is lacking.  

Even now, while the oldest are teens, I don’t hide my storms. They see me struggle with my parents, the house, jobs, car trouble. They also see me pray, patiently wait on my tired husband, or pause to help my little one when I have a million other things. I don’t limit my faith to Sunday Mass; I talk about it with them. It’s part of my life. I want it to be part of theirs too. I want them to see how to handle life’s storms.  

Their Storms  

I don’t know all my kids’ storms. They keep some to themselves and many are yet to come. I can only do so much, but the best is to pray for and with them. I’m open to listening when they confide in me. They share some, but I know there’s some they won’t. For those, I have to trust I’ve laid a good foundation of morals, ethics, and faith.  

That’s the hardest part.  

I wonder if I’ve done enough. I wonder if I’ve messed up somehow. But that’s the devil talking. I keep praying. They see me praying. They ask me to pray for their friends or for special intentions. They see me praying Rosaries every day. They pretend to be busy doing something else and not interrupt me; it’s cute.  

There’s been moments of stress when they’ve grabbed their rosaries or looked to their crucifixes. While they may not have spent much time in prayer, it means God is still their anchor.  

Firm Foundation  

At the end of the day, I don’t know if they still end in prayer before going to sleep, but I know they have that foundation when they need it. I know they have faith. I know I’ve done (and continue to do) all I can from my end. I have to leave the rest to God.  

I once heard that God has no grandchildren. It actually gives me courage to know that it’s not up to me to save their souls. Thank goodness because I have a hard enough time with my own. My job is to teach them to lean on God, have faith in Him, and keep turning to Him in joy, sorrow, anger, abundance, and need.  

If I’ve done that, and I pray I have, then the rest is between them and the Lord. 

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Copyright 2025 Caroline Godin
Images: Canva