We've tried several times to make praying a family rosary part of our routine. A few times we've lasted a couple weeks or better. But for one reason or another we can't seem to make the habit stick. I first introduced the kids to the rosary very casually. We sat together on the floor of our family room, rosaries in hand (or around necks for the younger ones who don't know better) and prayed just a decade. It was a little chaotic and with plenty of interruptions, but for the most part was encouraging for me to try again. We continued for a few days, until I had the nerve to invite my husband to join us. He welcomed the invitation.
From then on, our attempts at making it a routine were geared around bedtime. We allowed kids to stay up past bedtime if they wanted to pray with us. Some did, some didn't and that was okay. Some lasted only a decade before I'd carry them off to bed while John and the others continued and I'd join them again when I could.
For whatever reason though, like anything new...a few missed evenings and soon the habit was gone. Grace brought home a brochure "The Rosary for Children" today from religion class, and I'm finding myself inspired to try again. Tonight we turned the tv off early, and said a decade together, just the oldest 6 and myself. It was a perfect end to our day, and I'm hoping to try to include this in our evenings more often than not.
Pray for us O Holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
