• Always give instructions where children are not distracted.
PARENTS HANDOUT
• This month’s topic is anchored on John 1:35-42 (NABRE)
and is about the first disciples of Jesus. We highlighted the
value of obedience as what John and Andrew did in the
Gospel. The disciples listened to Jesus and acted on his
invitation (John 1:39).
• As parents, we should know that in the context of
obedience, two important things matter: values of
discipline and listening.
• Discipline is a way of parents to love their children, and
obedience through listening is the children’s response to
this love. Parents may set reasonable rules at home for the
benefit of their children. This allows children to build on
their personality and character with their parents’
guidance.
• Disciplining children and making them obey may not always
be easy. Here are some tips for parents:
1. Make instructions clear
• Make sure that children hear you. Shouting is discouraged.
Instructions must be conveyed always lovingly.
• For junior kids, it is advisable that you kneel or sit in front
of them, eye level being maintained.
• For senior kids, eye contact is always important and as
parents, we need to ask if instructions are understood and
heard clearly.
2. Take note of the surroundings.
If they are playing, reading, or watching, they tend to
seemingly ignore their parents.
3. Test your children’s limits
• Some kids tend to ignore instructions and develop a habit
of “ignoring until their parent yell”. When parents are in this
phase already with their children, the loving approach is
habitual listening and asking their children to respond.
4. Wait and explain
• When the kids heard and understood what was said or
instructed, wait and see what happens.
• Great if they listened on the first instance, but if not, explain
the reason for the request. Make them understand the need
to follow and the consequences it may cost them or others
if they obey or not.
5. Give way for learning
• It is okay to let children learn from the consequences of
disobeying and not listening. It is the role of parents to
always guide and explain why should this happen.
6. Pray together
• Be patient with your children. Obedience through discipline
and listening will always be seen through persistence and
especially prayers.
• Pray together as a family. As parents pray for your children
that they may grow in love with Jesus and in you through
listening and obeying. Also, ask your children to pray for you
as well so that you may guide them more to Jesus always.
• We need to remember that as parents, we are responsible for
our children before God. And as we teach obedience to our
children, we must make them realize that parents were given by
God to take His place in their home.
• In this month’s assignment, your children will receive an
Obedience Card. Give your children simple chores they can
easily accomplish. Prepare a reward for them after they have
earned all the smileys.
 St. Bathildis
Feast: January 30
A scared, Christian English girl
was locked up on a pirate ship
and was sold as a slave. Each
day, she went from one task to
another doing the very best she
could.

Soon, King Clovis II noticed her

and fell in love with her. The
King married her and the slave
woman had become the queen.
When King Clovis II died,
Bathildis became ruler of France
until her three sons grew up.

She was filled with love for Jesus and his Church. As queen, she
helped and protected the Church in every way she could. She put up
hospitals in France. She started a seminary to train priests and a
convent for nuns.

When her son Clotaire was fifteen, Queen Bathildis handed the
throne over to him and entered the convent of Chelles. As a nun, she
set aside her royal dignity and became humble and obedient. She
never demanded or even expected other people to treat her like
royalty.

She was very kind and gentle with the sick. She suffered a long,
painful illness before she died on January 30, 680.

Sources:
1. Children and Parents by Fulton J. Sheen
2. www.psychologytoday.com/blog/what-great-parents-do/201411/how-get-
your-kidslisten-the-first-time
3. https://catholicexchange.com/st-bathildis)