What to Do: Birth–6 Months

Encounter

1. Create a family environment that is warm, loving, safe, and peaceful.
2. Provide for the child’s basic physical needs like food, sleep, clean diapers, baths and exercise.
3. Develop and maintain a dependable schedule for daily routines, especially at waking, eating, transitions and bedtime.
4. Take time to touch, hold, cuddle, talk and play with your child.
5. Avoid loud noises, music or behavior which can be disturbing to your child.
6. Avoid circumstances in which your child sees or hears your frustration, anger, fear or disappointment get out of control.

Formation

1. If you haven’t already, attend a pre-Baptism class and discuss your responsibilities as your child’s first teachers with your priest and/or deacon.
2. Make sure you discuss your expectations with the child’s Godparents. What role do you want them to play in the spiritual development of your child?
3. Spend time in prayer, giving thanks to God for the gift of your child and asking for the strength for the journey ahead.
4. Grow in your own faith. Attend Mass together as a family. As you plan your child’s Baptism, invite others to celebrate this milestone with you. If possible, have your son or daughter baptized within the context of Mass so the entire community can be a part of your child’s special day.
5. Continue to learn about your faith. Read a book, watch some videos, take a class (online, after the baby is in bed), and continue to struggle with the questions you might have about your faith.
6. Remember the baptismal promises you made to your child before God and the parish – to accept the responsibility of training your child in the practice of faith. You are part of the beautiful promise of God to be faithful to all generations.
7. Be a strong link that allows the passing on of faith from one generation to the next through actively engaging in your faith.
8. Find a “Mommy and Me” in your area or start one at your church where mothers of young children can gather for play, conversation and formation.

Discipleship

1. Bless your child on the forehead every night. Ask God to bless him/her with a rest that is free of worry or fear.
2. Choose child care options that are consistent with your personal and spiritual values.
3. Take positive steps to resolve conflicts between you and your spouse which can have a negative impact on your child.
4. Take immediate steps to remove your child from circumstances in which they are in danger of being emotionally or physically abused.
5. Display and explain signs and symbols of faith such as statues, pictures.
6. Invite your child’s Godparents to be part of your child’s life through including them in celebrations and encouraging them in the building up of faith in your family.
7. Welcome others members of your parish into your family, connecting your child with others who are actively living their faith. This will create a fabric that will help your child to remain connected to his or her faith.