Young People Need Quiet Time, Too!

Personal reflection can lead to prayer.
Do you ever feel like life is one constant whirlwind of noise and non-stop action? You are not alone. For many families, downtime is perceived as empty rather than something valuable.

Polly Berrien Berends hits the nail on the head when she says that our culture does not respect quiet time. We are all so wrapped up in competition and social stuff that children's schedules are jam-packed. We have taught ourselves to fear silence and solitude, and we end up missing out on the voice of God within us.

According to Berends, when a child’s quiet time is protected, amazing things happen. They get to develop their own individuality and sense of self, follow their creative passions, learn that they are pretty awesome company (yep, even solo), and discover deep inner resources for healing and inspiration. Besides, it is the perfect prep for prayer.

So how can you help your child learn how to pray? Teach them traditional prayers, pray with them, let them see you pray, and make sure their quiet times are protected. Silence might be an acquired taste-especially if they have been on a steady diet of noise and activity-but once they get it, quiet time will nourish them for a lifetime.