How to Raise Good Catholic Children

by Mary Reed Newland

First published fifty years ago, How to Raise Good Catholic Children is a rare treat for today's a wise and readable book on child care that derives its wisdom from the Catholic home rather than from psychologists. Author Mary Reed Newland here draws on her own experiences as the mother of seven to show how the classic Christian principles of sanctity can be translated into terms easily applied to children - even to the very young. Because it's rooted in experience, not in theory, nothing that Mrs. Newland suggests is impossible or extraordinary. In fact, as you reflect on your experiences with your own children, you'll quickly agree that hers is an excellent commonsense approach to raising good Catholic children. Let Mrs. Newland show you how to introduce even your littlest ones to God and develop in your growing children virtues such

Genres: Catholic, Parenting, Nonfiction, Family, Religion, Spirituality, Faith

336 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1954

Reviews

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I could give this book 6 out of 5 stars I would! Mary Reed Newland is amazing- if you like this book there is another good one called "Motherhood and Family"- it contains articles published in an old Catholic magazine- many by her. But back to "Raising Good Catholic Children"- her wisdom is just remarkable. And she teaches the faith and much of its tradition to the adult reader as he/she goes along. This book is a must for Catholic parents interested in raising Catholic children- especially those not brought up in an actively Catholic home themselves. And for any Catholics interested in Montessori- all I can say it is just uncanny how much of what she writes about is "Montessorian." Such as the need to provide children with LARGE art paper so they can make large movements with their hands and arms when starting out. (Yes- a book on raising Catholic children even goes into art, music, dance- all forms of praising God through joy!) A real delight of this work is how full it is of ways to celebrate the liturgy in the family. Definitely a book to have on hand if possible and refer back to.

[Tricia Jennings · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the most helpful book I've read on how to raise children Catholic. Because I am a convert, I really have no idea how to gradually yet methodically introduce Catholic concepts to my children in a developmentally appropriate way. I feel like Mary Newland has given me the cheat sheet, sometimes even including specific language to use and highlighting which moments are the "teachable moments". If I have the time, I would like to outline/summarize this book to make it easier to access the information when needed. Summarized and spiral-bound, it wouldn't leave my night stand for the next 15 years!

[Kami S · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this many years ago, but I remember really loving it. Newland gives much tried and true practical advice for raising children in all aspects.

[The Springtime Catholic · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book is full of phenomenal insights. The type of parenting this book details is so deeply Catholic and Christ-centered, I don’t think most people would consider raising their children in such a way if they weren’t raised like it themselves.

From discussing death, living out the liturgical calendar, and teaching purity to instilling a love of the Rosary, teaching devotion to the Mass, and teaching how to make a good confession, this book really does cover all the bases.

I will be rereading this book time and time again, and would highly recommend it to others to read.

[Siobhain · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book, loaned to me by a dear friend, revolutionized my way of thinking about passing my faith onto my children. This is truly a beautiful book about love, family, and celebrating all of the beauty of our Catholic faith. Some parts were not completely transferable to our family as the author wrote of feasts which were part of the Church calendar prior to the second Vatican council. However, the general idea is understood. In addition to being a gentle guide for parents to bring the faith alive in their own families, it is a lovely peek back into family life prior to cell phones and the internet. With a little effort on our part, we can let our children experience a bit of this simpler, faith infused, form of life. I highly, highly recommend this book!! Happy celebrating you wonderful Catholic faith with your family!

[Katherine Prezioso · Rating 4 out of 5]

"But even when intuition senses the truth of all this, souls will hold back from so complete a surrender for fear of the pain that might follow. Which is too bad because there is going to be pain no matter what. It can be fruitful and sweet when we surrender with trust. It can be bitter and breed fear when we refuse to trust. A child's way is the best. To love God, and know that He loves you."

[Colleen Rein · Rating 4 out of 5]

This books was written fifty years ago, but is filled with great truths about raising a family. It is filled with ideas on how to talk to your children about faith. It does briefly mention spanking, but not enough to turn me off the book.

[Traci · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has been very helpful and is a definite re-read. Will have to consult again and again in the future.

[Jamie Griffith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this over and over and always find a new piece of wisdom. An essential book for any family raising children in the Catholic Church.

[Julie Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

A friend gifted this book to me for Christmas. It's one of those books full of practical advice and examples. It was published first in 1954, so there are a few things in it that made me laugh (like paying no more than 5 cents for certain things), but all the same there was plenty of wisdom between the pages that can still apply to life in today's world. It would be a great gift for someone who was expecting their first baby. It's like the spiritual/Catholic version of "what to expect when you're expecting" haha.

There is advice on teaching children how to pray, how to develop a relationship with God, how to encourage them to tell the truth, and be good people. It reminds parents to discern the difference between disobedience and inattention, and gives advice on how to help a child change bad behavior and to ask for forgiveness when they are sorry. It reminds us to remember that security is freedom from danger or risk, from care and apprehension, and there is nothing that can give man true security other than God. It reminds us that we cannot expect total cleanliness while we allow our kids to be kids. Kids are messy!

The book talked about how to teach your children that ALL people are made in the image and likeness of God. It discussed the example of Herman the Cripple. I never knew about Herman, but as it turns out, he wrote a prayer that I say nearly every day. It was so interesting to learn about him! The importance of modesty and purity were also discussed with advice on how to help children choose to be pure and modest.

The author broke down every part of the mass in a way that you could answer any question that any little kid could ever ask you about what is happening at mass. The same was done with the topic of death. I found that discussion especially helpful as our kids have experienced the death of several grandparents over the last 5 years.

There was information on sending kids to different types of schools and making sure that we do our part as parents and not expect the schools to raise our children for us. Since this book was written in the 1950's some of these points no longer apply today as there has been a big separation that keeps prayer life out of public schools now, but all the same, the encouragement given to parents to educate their children in certain matters at home was helpful.

The end of the book contained chapters about each of the sacraments and provided more than enough information to answer any question any kiddo could come up with to ask about them. The final chapters discussed work, play, creativity, and family life. All in all is was a feel-good kind of book that kind of made you wish you lived in the 1950's. The examples and information offered though were still quite helpful for a parent that truly wants to raise their kids in a Catholic home.

[Mary Grace Martinez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book and found it quite helpful in giving ideas for how to instill faith and relationship with Jesus, Mary, and the Saints in day to day life.

I believe the author intended this book to be for mothers of her time in some ways as some of the things she maps out are resources available, stores, and ways of living in 50s/60s USA. This actually made it an interesting and entertaining but of history. But most of what she says can certainly be adapted to our time or are timeless.

I will be going back to this resource when I need ideas and inspiration in raising my kids in the faith!

I highly recommend!

[Kassie R. · Rating 3 out of 5]

This took me a while to read because I read little by little and put it down for quite a while at times. This covered all the areas I thought it should cover in living a Catholic life/having a Catholic family. Some good thoughts in this book that I will return to snd read if I need some encouragement/ideas in an area.

[Ashley Selland · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a Catholic mother of children, this book was SO good! This one is more geared for families that attend the Tridentine mass, but she has another one for those that attend the Novus Ordo. I think this would be a great gift to a new mother or mother of young children. So many great tips on home life and teaching the faith. I will definitely come back and reference my notes on this one.

[Mary Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like this book because it showed me and gave me vocabulary for how to bring God into all aspects of my kids life. Also, it inspired me to have conversations with my children that induce wonder about God and creation. Newland also gives tips for specific conversations or behavioral issues and how to handle them. Very informative for a new mom like myself. I know, I probably won't apply most of what she says. it is inspirational and what I do use, will have an impact.

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wisdom and practicality

[Mimia The Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

[Emily Sparks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great for parents of younger children. I wish I read this several years ago, since it focuses on fostering a love of God in children, but particular younger children. The author is a mother of several children, so it is practical, and funny too. It is good spiritual reading for adults as well, since it helps to remind us of the wonder of the life of grace.

[Chelsea · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is fantastic for any Catholic mother. Mary Reed Newland has such a gift for taking abstract concepts and simplifying them into ways children can easily understand all without compromising the concept at all. Learn how to teach your children to love God with their whole hearts, how to help them rely on Him and turn to Him.


Beautiful book that will stay on my bedside table permanently.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love love love this book! I have read it through once, and now I use it as a sort of manual and guide for celebrating liturgy in our home. I refer to it often and I love the insights of the author as a mother with more experience than me.

[Espresso · Rating 3 out of 5]

She has many good points, but a lot of them are pretty soft plans. It doesn't deal with more than repetition of values, rather than taking a catholic approach to parenting and education.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book! I learned so much.

[Cara Wilhelm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of practical suggestions!