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Although the kids are in a 'church school' I'm not religious and have never asked or encouraged them to give up something for lent. It would seem the school hasn't either. So nothing is given up here (ds1 is 11 and afaik it has never come up in a serious way though he has mentioned before some kids giving up sweets etc).

Do most kids give up something? Is it encouraged in school, or at home, or both?

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Mum to three summer babies ... 2000, 2005, 2008.

no option for both, but both here. I think even if you don't do it for religious reasons it's still good for everyone, kids included, to give up something for a period.

Both option now provided

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Mum to three summer babies ... 2000, 2005, 2008.

Haven't done but will do this year...

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Forever waiting on my second miracle.

ive always encoraged my dd to do something rather than give up something

yep. chocolate - and ketchup!!!

I'm trying to get DD1 to give up leaving her room in a mess,
DD2 is giving up answering me back
and DD3 is giving up complaining about her dinner


It's doomed before I even start

chocolate sounds much easier than that!!!

Ds1 who is 8 is giving up something, yet to be decided, as he did last year. No religion at home or school but something he picked up from his cousin last year and its kindof his personality to do self-sacrifice - the halo effect looks good on him

Such potential, wasted with you

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Mum to three summer babies ... 2000, 2005, 2008.

She's only 4 & doesn't quite get it but I've given her the best explanation I can & she has decided to give up chocolate; now we will see how long that lasts

At our church the kids go to a room for 15 mins where they talk about the weeks gospel message & she has never gone but has been enquiring about the other kids so maybe this week myself or OH will go with her & see how she gets on; maybe they'll have a better way to explain Lent.

DD1's class are giving up things this week but it's not a religious thing. They're doing addiction in SESE so the teacher has challanged them to give up something they really love for a week.

DD has given up talking (I think the teacher dared her )and she's driving me even more mad by making "Mm-mm" noises while gesticulating wildly.

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Jean

"In order to make an apple pie from scratch, you must first create the universe" - Carl Sagan

Ahh she's only little! i'd give her a job to do instead if she doesn't get the lent thing!! Easter bunny loves busy girls!!

I loooooove that idea

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Mum to three summer babies ... 2000, 2005, 2008.

That is a line I may use over the coming weeks

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Mum to three summer babies ... 2000, 2005, 2008.

We are similar to you in that DD goes to a catholic school but we are not religious and don't practice and she won't be making communion this year as a result. The school encourages lent but I have said to her that we don't expect her to give anything up but if she wants to do something for lent why not take up something like doing the dusting for me or emptying the dishwasher etc (she is 8)

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(Formerly Aromamum)

My little darling wanted to know seen as how she LOVES Green Apples
could she give them up
not on yer nelly

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It's going to be a good day

Yes mine are both encouraged to either give up something or take on something but its not rigidly enforced so if they fall off the wagon its not a big deal.

Not sure what dd will be doing but ds is going to try and stop biting his nails. His nails are disgraceful and its such a disgusting habit that I'm using lent as a way of getting him to stop Don't know if it will work though (any tips please )

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star chart and Easter bunny!

We all gave up chocolate last year ( I cheated) and when we were away for a weekend with friends we said they could have hot chocolate - they (3 of them, 9,7,6) were horrified that they could break it and were totally uncomfortable at the idea of making a commitment then being allowed to break it for an occasion. Lent definitely makes them aware of their actions and commitments.
However, we are having a holiday in the middle of lent this year - be interesting to see how they feel about breaking it this time!

I dont mention or encourage it and the school didnt last year either.

My ds2 told me yesterday that they have to do something we every day for lent. Things like, make his own breakfast one day, dress his bed, walk the dog, etc.

One year my ds1 Gave up diet coke. He is diabetic and it drove all of us mad as whenever we ate out unless he drank water or milk, there was no other diet drinks on offer.

I don't give up anything myself.

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It depends, you can make it into a competition/fun thing with a serious/meaningful twist. We do! Its easier when everyone does the same thing and we end up chatting about it over meal times, and discussing how to get around the thing we have given up - like can we have lemon cake instead of chocolate?!!