Family-style

Something for everyone

Formative

Teach for the heart

Faithful

Imprimatur? Check.

chevron_left chevron_right

Three Ways to Celebrate Advent when Life is Difficult

by Olivia Spears – November 26, 2025

HomeschoolLiturgical LifeMotherhood
Three Ways to Celebrate Advent when Life is Difficult - Into the Deep

A few years ago, we were in an incredibly heavy season of life as Advent approached. I had 0% in my tank to put toward anything creative or—Heaven forbid—crafty.

But, even with our life in ruins around us, Advent was still important enough to observe (thank God for the liturgical year and how it keeps us on the rails through this valley of tears).

So I approached Advent very simply. And wouldn't you know... it was one of the most spiritually-fruitful Advents we've had as a family.

If you're in a season where you don't have a lot of extra time or energy to devote to elaborate Advent activities, here are a few ways to intentionally mark Advent in your home:

1. Sing "O Come, O Come Emmanuel"

Short and powerful, this Advent hymn is the perfect way to end each day as a family. Sing a verse together after dinner or before bedtime; it takes about 50 seconds.

And if you're feeling wild, grab this hymn study for the extra coloring pages and copywork based on this hymn!

2. "Climb" the Jesse Tree

These cards make the beloved tradition of the Jesse Tree rich and doable in about 5 minutes each day.

(Y'all have been loving the illustrations, and for good reason! They're beautiful and filled with symbolism that sticks with children.)

3. Fast from something as a family

Advent is a penitential season! And while difficult seasons of life often feel penitential in-and-of themselves, sometimes it helps to actually choose a sacrifice as a family. It builds the "we are in this together" aspect of suffering.

Chat about it as a family in the coming weeks and see if fasting from dessert, TV, or extra spending would be a good group sacrifice.

I hope these help give some inspiration for Advent when life feels like a lot.

 

What are your favorite, simple ways to observe the Advent season? Share with us in the comments below. 

 

Ready to dive deeper? 

Here are 4 ways to fill your nets... 

📖 1. Memorize Bible verses with your children easily with our FREE guide: Stocking the Storehouses
🥖 2. Make your dreams of family prayer a reality with The Daily Feast framework, making it possible in just a few minutes a day. This free guide shows you how.
🕯️ 3. Want to steward your own prayer life? Check out this Scripture prayer journal we made just for you.
✏️ 4. Looking to level-up in your family faith formation? Join over 10,000 families that use our resources. We make open-and-go, family-style resources to make your role as primary catechist easy AND delightful. Click here to browse!


Products from the article

Heaven + Nature Sing | Liturgical Hymns for Families | Digital Download

Heaven + Nature Sing | Liturgical Hymns for Families | Digital Download

*This is a Digital Product*God's people praise Him in song!  Since the time of Genesis, the people of God have praised Him through singing—especially by singing together. Our Church has gifted us centuries of beautiful liturgical music to sing in Mass and in our domestic churches.  Since our human brains have a propensity for memorizing that which is sung, hymns allow us an opportunity to etch the Truth of God's love into their memories for the long haul.  This hymn study shows you how.  This study includes: Open-and-go instructions on how to do a hymn study One traditional Catholic hymn to study and sing each month Our recommended versions (with links!) A history and theology of the hymn Lyrics (print a page for everyone to have on hand!) Copywork pages for varying ages and abilities, featuring the lyrics Coloring pages (perfect for littles who join in!) The ability to reuse the study, year after year!  Hymns included: “Holy God, We Praise Thy Name” “The King of Love My Shepherd Is” “Stabat Mater” “Jesus Christ Is Risen Today!” “Hail, Holy Queen Enthroned Above” “Come, Holy Ghost” “O God Beyond All Praising” “Be Thou My Vision” “O Salutaris Hostia” “All Creatures of Our God and King” “For All the Saints” “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” Spend a year singing to the Lord as a family without adding stress or planning to your day!   Designed by Lucy Reed.

$22.00
$22.00
Heaven + Nature Sing | Liturgical Hymns for Families | Digital Download

Heaven + Nature Sing | Liturgical Hymns for Families | Digital Download

*This is a Digital Product*God's people praise Him in song!  Since the time of Genesis, the people of God have praised Him through singing—especially by singing together. Our Church has gifted us centuries of beautiful liturgical music to sing in Mass and in our domestic churches.  Since our human brains have a propensity for memorizing that which is sung, hymns allow us an opportunity to etch the Truth of God's love into their memories for the long haul.  This hymn study shows you how.  This study includes: Open-and-go instructions on how to do a hymn study One traditional Catholic hymn to study and sing each month Our recommended versions (with links!) A history and theology of the hymn Lyrics (print a page for everyone to have on hand!) Copywork pages for varying ages and abilities, featuring the lyrics Coloring pages (perfect for littles who join in!) The ability to reuse the study, year after year!  Hymns included: “Holy God, We Praise Thy Name” “The King of Love My Shepherd Is” “Stabat Mater” “Jesus Christ Is Risen Today!” “Hail, Holy Queen Enthroned Above” “Come, Holy Ghost” “O God Beyond All Praising” “Be Thou My Vision” “O Salutaris Hostia” “All Creatures of Our God and King” “For All the Saints” “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” Spend a year singing to the Lord as a family without adding stress or planning to your day!   Designed by Lucy Reed.

$22.00
$22.00
HomeschoolLiturgical LifeMotherhood

by Olivia Spears – November 26, 2025

Leave a comment

Please note, comments need to be approved before they are published.

Related posts

chevron_leftchevron_right
How to talk to Children about Death - Into the Deep

Blog – by Olivia Spears

How to talk to Children about Death

We are mid-way through the month of the Holy Souls, so let's discuss talking about death with our children. This is something our family has been forced into, as we have had many close family members die in the past few years. My children are far more acquainted with the concept of death than I was at their age, and while I hate that in many ways, I'm also grateful in many ways. Much like childbirth, our sanitized society is so removed from the natural cycle of death that it is almost taboo. But death is a part of reality, and I'm thankful that the Church always stands as a beacon of light on the shore of Heaven to remind us that this world is not our home. So if you worry about your children learning about death, or struggle with how to appropriately discuss death with your children in a way that is developmentally healthy, here are a few things we've learned from personal experience and the professionals we've consulted along the way.   1️⃣ Normalize it (within your local community) We don't have to hide death from our children. When someone in our community passes away, we can share that information. We can bring our children to cemeteries and funeral homes. It will not scar them; on the contrary, it will help them understand the normal cycle of life and death which can help them be less fearful. *It is important to note that this is appropriate within the context of the child's relational circle. It can be quite harmful to share uninhibited news of global tragedy with a small child.   2️⃣ Let them see you grieve Another way children can learn to relate to death in a healthy way is to see you be sad about it. If a friend or family member dies, it is good for your child to see you cry and miss the person. Again, this helps form their perception of death and how to process it properly.   3️⃣ Listen, answer, pray Children may have a lot of questions about death, especially if someone close to them dies. These questions will often come at inconvenient times! But it's good to pause and listen to their hearts. Answer only what they ask about, and then offer to pray with them. Death is a mystery, and it helps to show our kids that we must always bring our hearts, questions, and sadness to Jesus when we are confronted with death.   4️⃣ Underscore everything with hope in Christ The final and most important point: always share about death in light of the Resurrection of Jesus. Death is not the end! Even in our grief we hold onto the hope of eternal life with God. This is why we pray for the dead in November! It is hope and confidence that fuels our petitions. The comfort and victory of Christ is the lens through which we can help our children view death.   A Useful Guide for Families Our Hallowtide Study is a great tool to guide the talk with your littles and direct their hearts to heaven, our eternal home. This 49-pages digital resource contains a buffet of traditional prayers, hymns, history, liturgical events, poems, art, picture books, copywork, coloring pages, activities, and handcrafts for you to pick-and-choose from.   I hope this is helpful as we continue to pray for the dearly departed in November!   Ready to dive deeper?  Here are 4 ways to fill your nets...   1. Memorize Bible verses with your children easily with our FREE guide: Stocking the Storehouses  2. Make your dreams of family prayer a reality with The Daily Feast framework, making it possible in just a few minutes a day. This free guide shows you how.  3. Want to steward your own prayer life? Check out this Scripture prayer journal we made just for you.  4. Looking to level-up in your family faith formation? Join over 10,000 families that use our resources. We make open-and-go, family-style resources to make your role as primary catechist easy AND delightful. Click here to browse!

Read more

A Catholic View on Work and Rest - Into the Deep

Blog – by Olivia Spears

A Catholic View on Work and Rest

Catholicism claims that our labors do not remain empty or servile but should be tended to in and for love. When this happens, work makes us more of who we really are. We are molded by the constancy of our work. We are purified by its repetition. We are delighted in its completion. However, as worthy as work is in our development as human persons, it must not be entered without also entering into rest. The Church is clear on the boundaries between work and rest. Let's dive together into this.

Read more

Self-Discipline in the Home + Homeschool - Into the Deep

Blog – by Olivia Spears

Self-Discipline in the Home + Homeschool

Self-discipline is key to success in our endeavors and for our sanity. Particularly in the long haul of motherhood, self-discipline protects priority and peace.Self-discipline is a habit. In fact, it is the foundation of habit formation. Whole books can and have been written on self-discipline. Here, I would like to look at self-discipline in the life of the homemaker in three areas: the heart the will the life The Heart We can stay stuck in our emotions when it comes to self-discipline. Sometimes there’s a lot of shame around the idea. The Holy Spirit can use our emotions to convict us. He pricks our conscience. But there is a big difference between:"I notice that when I scroll on my phone right after I wake up instead of praying, I’m much less patient with the kids’ needs." and  "I’m always cranky with the kids in the morning, the worst mother, and I’m probably just screwing them up."One thought is the conviction that spurs us to the right action; the other is condemnation that leads us to despair and low-level comfort-seeking.When we spiral like this, we tend to focus more on the circumstances rather than our interior lives.But the heart is precisely where we must begin.Whatever your external circumstances, the Lord sees the heart. This is paramount in the life of the mother because our seasons shift often and dramatically. Self-discipline in one season will look different from self-discipline in another.We must be more attached to Jesus than our schedules.We must listen to His voice over self-condemnation.We must ask Him to cast the vision for self-discipline in this season rather than the latest Reel promising to enhance our morning routine. Resources can help, but not more than the Holy Spirit.If our goals for self-discipline are not a fruit of prayer we will likely end up defeated or self-reliant.So before we address any other areas, we should ask the Lord for His wisdom and vision for this season of our lives.And if we want to grow in self-discipline, let’s ask Him for help!   The Will   As we allow the Lord to transform our hearts and clarify our vision, He is going to give us opportunities to practice! After all, we grow in virtue by doing things consistently and intentionally.Once the Holy Spirit has shown you how to grow in self-discipline this particular season, focus your energy there. We all-or-nothing types often hear the Holy Spirit’s marching order for one step forward, then go blazing into the full battlefield.The exercise of the will is an interesting point of reflection for the stay-at-home or homeschooling mom. We have a lot of freedom. We set the schedule. We make the appointments. We discern levels of involvement. We are the CEO, the manager, the cook, and the janitor.This freedom is so good. It is partly why homemakers have a particular duty to preserve leisure in our culture (but that’s another email for another time). This freedom also presents unique considerations. After all, if we make the schedule and the rules, then we can say there is no schedule and there are no rules, right?A piece of our self-discipline as homemakers is identifying the priorities of this season and being sure we steward our time and energy well.How do we do that? Let’s look at some practical ideas.   The Life Planning   I mentioned it above, but a significant step in self-discipline is getting very clear about your priorities. The Lord has been teaching me about this a lot this summer. He has given me my assignment in this season. When I cease hemming and hawing about it, looking to my right and left, I have much more peace.It is worth taking this to deep, extensive prayer. It is worth sitting down with our spouses and reviewing the priorities of the season. And it is worth structuring our lives around the assignment. Boundaries Boundaries look different for different people, personality types, needs, seasons, and vocations. But they are important!Once we have identified our priorities, it might be necessary to put some boundaries in place to ensure those priorities are nurtured as needed.For example, one boundary I have set this year is protecting our school time in ways I have not done in the past. Unless otherwise impossible, I am not scheduling kids’ appointments during our blocked school times. I’m not taking meetings. I place my phone on “Do Not Disturb" and put it away.Notice that this is a boundary I’ve set for myself. No one is demanding that I have a dentist appointment at 9 a.m. or that I answer their text message immediately. But I know myself well enough to recognize this is a necessary boundary to protect the priority.   Flexibility + Fortitude It requires self-discipline to make a plan and set boundaries, and it requires self-discipline when it all goes to pot.As mothers, we must be flexible because there will be hiccups. Things will regularly not go according to plan. Ideals are often massacred by toddlers and teenagers.These are further opportunities to exercise self-discipline. We get to discipline our minds. How will we respond? Will we throw up our hands in resentful surrender (I have no idea what that’s about. Never done that before.)? Or will we face pivots with fortitude, doing the best we can and giving the rest to God?   Longevity The last point I’ll make on the topic of self-discipline for mothers is that we must accept the Lord’s grace and realize that we are in a marathon.Sometimes self-discipline looks like true self-care. Maybe it’s going to bed earlier instead of watching one more episode so you’re better rested. Maybe it’s taking a walk outside or reading a book instead of checking Facebook. Maybe it’s making time for dedicated prayer. Maybe it’s eating an actual breakfast so you’re fueled for the day.Remember, the motive of self-discipline must not be self-hatred. We can honor God by stewarding well the bodies, souls, and minds He gave us.We want to be able to serve Him well for as long as He has us in this field.   The Font + Fruit In our desire and effort to grow in self-discipline, our aim is to give glory to God and to allow Him to make us saints. This is simply not possible apart from grace and the action of the Holy Spirit in our lives.So once again, I entreat us all to pray. It is the font and fruit of self-discipline. I would love to hear your thoughts on this topic. We are all always students at the feet of the Teacher! Comment below!

Read more

What is a Mother's Morning Basket? - Into the Deep

Blog – by Olivia Spears

What is a Mother's Morning Basket?

What is a Morning Basket? The term "morning basket" has been tossed around in homeschool circles for a couple of decades now. It has spread like wildfire (for good reason) and is not only reserved for homeschooling families. Because of its increased popularity, it has become somewhat of an enigma.  Assembling a morning basket can feel overwhelming because what if I don't do it right?I'm here to release you from that pressure... There is no singular "right" way. When it comes to creating a morning basket for your children, the main goal is to spread a feast of truth, beauty, and goodness. If you're already implementing The Daily Feast, then your morning basket is already, like, 85% filled. Our morning basket usually consists of the elements of The Daily Feast plus some poetry and a few picture books. While you get to make the rules about your morning basket, it's helpful to have a few loose principles to build upon: A morning basket incorporates beauty. This may include prayer, Scripture, hymns, Saint bios, poetry, folk songs, fairy tales, and so on. You don't have to do it all every day. You can choose different books based on the needs of that day.  It doesn't have to be a literal basket. You don't have to store your stuff in a basket for it to be a morning basket. Simply compile your resources in a place that is easily accessible to you and where you most often gather together. It can be done at any time of the day. Don't be beholden by the term "morning"! A morning basket can be done at any time of the day. The best time to do it is when you actually do it. What is a MOTHER'S Morning Basket? Same idea, but for you.  A mother's morning basket is meant to fill her soul and mind with truth, beauty, and goodness.  For many years, my mother's morning basket has been an anchor in my day. It affords me a moment to tend to my own soul and interests so that I can be poured out for my family—not by my own power, but His. The same loose principles of a morning basket for your kids apply to a morning basket for yourself. The focus is prayer and beauty, you don't have to "do it all" every single day, you don't have to use a literal basket, and you can do it at any time of the day*.  Your mother's morning basket will likely shift according to seasons (both literal and metaphorical). You may be able to enjoy it before the kids wake each day or amongst their happy interruptions.  *I prefer the morning because I desperately need communion with Him first thing. A few months ago, some friends and I discussed our desire to include a "mother's night basket" in addition to our morning baskets. I have been doing this, and it has been a peaceful way to end my days! My night basket is much more abbreviated and includes night prayer, an examen, poetry (sometimes), and a novel. Also, this is not yet as firm a habit as my morning basket because many nights I fall into bed face-down and expired.   The Elements of a Morning Basket  So what should we include in our mother's morning baskets?! This is the fun part! Again, you make the rules. But I'm happy to offer some suggestions based on what has been particularly helpful to me over the years. Remember, you can include any, all, or none of these. And you don't have to partake in what you include every day. This is meant to bless you, not burden you! Prayer  This isn't necessarily tangible, but it's the cornerstone of my morning basket. Each morning, I sleepily crawl into the lap of the Father, ask the Son to "give me a drink", and voice my dependency upon the Holy Spirit. I wake up like a child.   Additionally, many moms use this as a time to pray their rosary or other devotional prayers. Bible/Daily Readings  God's Word has proven to be a lamp for my feet and a light for my path. I am a beggar before the Lord, and He continuously feeds me with His Word and His Body in the Eucharist. Reading Sacred Scripture—most often via the daily readings for Holy Mass—is the top priority of my morning basket. When it comes to Bibles, I recommend the NRSVCE translation. I use this one. If you prefer a journaling Bible, I like this one. Journal  I like to keep some sort of paper journal in my morning basket to jot down prayers or verses.  Prayer Books  Do you have a prayer book you love? Keep it tucked in your morning basket and refer to it as needed or prompted.  For example, the Pieta prayer book is magnificent. Devotional  Is there a devotional you're praying through, particularly during Advent or Lent? Are you in the middle of a consecration? These are great additions to the morning basket!  Spiritual Reading  My morning basket also includes whatever spiritual book I'm currently reading. You can see some of my favorites here. Poetry  Poetry is not currently a part of my morning basket, but what a lovely way to rouse to the day! I have this collection of nature poems that I read with my kids, but my girlfriends love the daily version and the night version for themselves! Inspiration  Under this category falls anything lovely but not necessarily religious. Think food or design magazines, coffee table books, cookbooks, art collections, nature journals, homemaking resources, etc. What lifts your heart and inspires you for the tasks you are about to undertake? What inspires you to live a life worthy of the call you have received? Tuck these in your morning basket and take delight! Non-Fiction Reading  Finally, I include any non-fiction (but not spiritual) reading I'm tending to at the time. Books about homeschooling, homemaking, homesteading, health, historical figures, parenting, marriage, work, relationships, etc. fall into this category. It bears repeating: not all of this is to be done every single day! We would likely be neglecting the duties of our vocation if we spent three hours in prayer and reading every single morning. Don't be afraid to just start! Nothing is a failure when offered to the Lord in humility, trust, and love! Setting Time + Space  Once you have determined when would be a great and realistic time for your morning basket, put it on your actual schedule in your actual planner. It makes a difference!  Then, set the space. Choose where the contents of your morning basket will reside. Choose where you will sit.  How can you make this space more conducive to prayer? Can you drape a blanket across the chair to invite you into rest with Christ? Can you hang a crucifix, icon, or other holy image nearby so you can contemplate it during your prayer?  Consider obtaining a candle that is just reserved for your morning basket time. I like these clean ones and these Catholic ones (use code ITD15 for 15% off). The night before, set out a favorite mug (perhaps one from Into the Deep... perhaps this is a hint?) to fill with rejuvenating coffee or steeping tea before you begin.  I keep these highlighters and a good pen on hand for emphasizing and taking notes. My Current Mother's Morning Basket  Curious about what's in my mother's morning basket right now? Here's my lineup: My Bible (my wellspring) A Future with Hope (my journal) Divine Intimacy (my devotional) Mother Love (my prayer book) I Believe in Love (my spiritual read) The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady (my inspiration read) Tending the Heart of Virtue (my non-fiction read) You can see them all here, too. The Final Thought  The demands of our vocation are blessed and many, and the Lord does not ask us to do them apart from His grace. It is worthwhile to dwell with Him in the mornings. He is waiting to meet us in prayer. He longs to fill us with His love and delight, even in seasons of dryness.  Let us, then, make a point to come to Him. Let us not rely on our own limited strength but on His endless power.  Let us give our families the gift of a mother filled with beauty, wonder, and the Holy Spirit.  Let us make time for what fills us up so we can be poured out another day.   I'm so eager to know what you think about a mother's morning basket. Totally lame? Overwhelming? Thrilling? And if you already have some version of a Mother's morning basket, I'd love to know what's included in yours!    Ready to dive deeper?  Here are 4 ways to fill your nets...   1. Memorize Bible verses with your children easily with our FREE guide: Stocking the Storehouses  2. Make your dreams of family prayer a reality with The Daily Feast framework, making it possible in just a few minutes a day. This free guide shows you how.  3. Want to steward your own prayer life? Check out this Scripture prayer journal we made just for you.  4. Looking to level-up in your family faith formation? Join over 10,000 families that use our resources. We make open-and-go, family-style resources to make your role as primary catechist easy AND delightful. Click here to browse!  

Read more

Our 2023-2024 School Lineup | Booklists + Resources - Into the Deep

Blog – by Olivia Spears

Our 2023-2024 School Lineup | Booklists + Resources

August is upon us, which means it is nearly time to begin another school year in our home. I have been in planning prep for a couple of months (I take it slow!) and I'm happy to share our booklists with you here! How I Plan a New Homeschool Year My planning process typically follows three movements: Pray (you can learn more about that here) Make booklists (jot down all my ideas and resources, then heavily edit) Put it all together in a rhythm First, I'll share our booklists. Then, I'll share a loose idea of our rhythm! The Groundwork... My oldest kids are entering the 4th and 1st grades, and my youngest two are 3 years and ten months old. While each child does their own level of phonics, math, copywork, and logic, most of our subjects are done family style in a loop rotation (more on that later). This fits our family best in this season and we all really enjoy this setup. My three-year-old will not do any formal preschool work; however, he likes feeling "big" and has asked for his own school work this year. I've picked up A is for Art to go through with him as interest dictates. My main priority each morning is to snuggle him and read picture books to fill his cup before our school day begins. Our Homeschool "Curriculum" | The Booklists ***Unless otherwise linked, all books can be found on this Amazon list!*** Like I mentioned, we have family subjects and individual subjects. Only the older two have individual work. These children have different learning styles, so we use different resources for each. Family Subjects Morning Basket Our Morning Time will consist of The Daily Feast + any memory work (like poetry, Mass parts, and longer dictations for my oldest).P.S. already using my Daily Feast notepad and it's a game changer for organization!We will also do our fun read alouds during this time. I don't have a final list yet, but I've shared some definites in the Amazon shop! Catechesis We will be using Into the Deep Level Two this year, taking pauses to do the picture studies on the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary during Advent, the Luminous + Sorrowful during Lent, and the Glorious during Easter. History We used The Story of the World last year and it was a family favorite all around! We are moving to Volume 2 this year. I use the student guide for extra reading, map work, and projects.Additionally, I'll be reading one story each week from American Tall Tales so they have a touch point with their national history. Geography We use the geography prompts in the SOTW above.I'll also pepper in Charlotte Mason's Elementary Geography. Nature Study/Science It's a water year for us! I'll be using Among the Pond People in the fall semester and Ocean Anatomy and Watercolor with Me in the spring. I picked up The Good and the Beautiful's Wind + Waves. We used their Little Hearts and Hands last year and it was a great resource to have on hand for days when I needed extra support (like when a kid was sick or the baby didn't sleep). Excited to have that in my back pocket again this year. Literature My fave! Well, alongside catechesis and history. We will ease into the first semester by revisiting A.A. Milne's When We Were Very Young. Aligned with our history studies, we will also read some Norse Myths!In the second semester, we will read a couple of Shakespeare plays (the kids have loved these—not yet sure if we will revisit old favorites, read new, or a combination of both).Our main focus this spring semester will be fairy tales. I've snagged some fairy tale picture books from Will Moses, and I have a couple of collections here at home I will pull from. (A note on finding books on fairy tales: be sure they are the original text, not adaptations!) Character Building I have some perfectionistic students (no idea where they got that 😬), so we are working on growth mindset with Mistakes that Worked.We will also be reading through A Book of Golden Deeds.In the spring semester, we will revisit Connoisseur Kids. We used it this year and it was a roaring success, so the kids want to go through it again! Artist Each year, we study two artists. In the fall we will study Van Eyck and use the picture studies from Simply Charlotte Mason. In the spring, we will deep dive Michelangelo. I'm pumped. We will use SCM's picture studies, along with The Stone Giant, Michelangelo for Kids, Mike Venezia's Michelangelo, and a giant coffee table book of his complete works. Composer As with the artists, I select two composers to study each year. In the fall, we will study Handel and, in the spring, Paganini.I'm an Opal Wheeler fan girl, so I just use her books. Mike Venezia has a book on Handel, too, so we will use that as well. Language I don't stress about this much yet. My energy is focused more on reading fluency at this stage and, with a toddler and baby, I don't have much overflow to devote to foreign language. I have Prima Latina and we will use those DVDs each week in "car school" when we drive a small distance to pick up our farm food and dairy. On Rhythms... Our family functions best with a rhythm rather than a strict schedule. But we typically begin around 9 a.m. (this gives us time for personal prayer, breakfast, morning chores, and getting ready).Typically, we school Monday-Thursday, as Fridays are set aside for errands, Mass, and cleaning. Weekly Loops With that, here are the family subjects we will loop throughout the week: Mondays || catechesis, character building, history, nature study, and composer Wednesdays || catechesis, character building, history, literature, and nature study Thursdays || catechesis, history, literature, and artist/drawing Like I mentioned, all of this will be tested by actually living it, and we will adjust as needed! I always enjoy reading other people's homeschool plans, so I hope this has brought you some entertainment and solidarity! God bless your new school year!

Read more

Building Their Lives on the Liturgical Year - Into the Deep

Blog – by Olivia Spears

Building Their Lives on the Liturgical Year

“The mother who takes pains to endow her children with good habits secures for herself smooth and easy days; while she who lets their habits take care of themselves has a weary life of endless friction with the children.” - Charlotte Mason  Order is something we all strive to have in our lives. It makes the world go ‘round and helps create a sense of security throughout childhood and adulthood. Maintaining a smooth, rhythmic schedule aids your child in more ways than you can count. Having a rhythmic home life is good for the body, but having a rhythmic liturgical life is good for the soul.  The Faith isn't simply meant to be learned; it's meant to be lived. Things such as reading about the lives of Saints and understanding the seasons of the Church can be done during any time of day, not only during religion class. Leaning on the liturgical year provides a structure in your children's lives that can accompany them into adulthood. How Living the Liturgical Year Now Impacts their Future as Catholics An impactful way to help children as the next generation of Catholics is having structure built within their spiritual life. Helping your child increase attentiveness to their faith will aid them in growing long-lasting habits in their love for the Church and the Lord.  Reading the Bible as a family, attending Mass every Sunday, and praying the rosary are great ways to have a lasting impact. A good liturgical option is to keep up with Saints’ feast days. There is a feast every day and there are multiple ways to celebrate. Reading a summary and then praying to the Saints daily is a fun and mindful way to keep up with the liturgical year. Another great option is considering a liturgical planner for your child. A planner is used to organize the day to day events. Your child can not only keep track of the upcoming week, but also see different religious feast days and holidays, such as Christmas and Easter.  A Structure for Worship The Catholic liturgical year organizes the Church's celebrations and events, providing a structure for worship and reflection. Having a religious structure encourages orderliness in the soul. Order is physical as well as mental. Following the ebb and flow of fasting and feasting within the liturgical year is a physical reminder of the liturgical year.  For example, let's say that, at the beginning of the week, you fill out your planner. You include things like events, birthdays, work schedule, weekend plans, etc. A liturgical planner works the same way as a normal planner, but it has Catholicism filtered into its pages. What a fun way to help your child grow in their faith!  Continuous Contemplation Living the liturgical year allows us to remember the life and teachings of Jesus and to deepen faith through various liturgical seasons and feasts. Remembering the Saints that have lived out the faith serves as an inspiration for Catholics. Contemplating the faith daily helps with spiritual growth.  Catholic Connection The liturgical year helps to create a sense of unity and community among Catholics worldwide. Community is something we as humans need. We usually look for people that we can relate to, sympathize with, similar beliefs, etc. Connecting with other Catholics over your love of the Faith is amazing!  Check Out our Student Planner!  What’s a fun, immersive way to help your child grow in the faith? Consider purchasing our newest product, the Student Liturgical Planner! This is a great option to encourage orderliness and structure in your child's school and home life. Keeping track of events such as sports practices, play-dates, to-do list on chore day can all be done in this planner. Throw in the liturgical year filtered into the calendar and you have the perfectly-curated Catholic Student Planner.  What are some of your favorite ways to build your child's life on the liturgical year? Give us some ideas in the comments below!

Read more

Catholic Books about the Sacraments for Kids - Into the Deep

Blog – by Olivia Spears

Catholic Books about the Sacraments for Kids

Being initiated into the life of Christ through the sacraments is the great gift we can give our children. It is our charge to model a sacramental life for them, witnessing to the grace, peace, and joy found in this kind of union with Christ and His Church.  Wonderfully, we also have a building treasure trove of Catholic picture and chapter books to help form their understanding and love of the Seven Sacraments!  Books about the Sacraments for Kids Sacraments in General Seven Clues: A Catholic Treasure Hunt by Scott Hahn and Maura Roan McKeegan Light of the Sacraments by Cory Heimann  Baptism Jesus Speaks to Me about My Baptism by Angela Burrin Chosen by Jenna Guizar Confirmation  The Soldier of Christ by Mother Mary Loyola (chapter book) Home for Good by Mother Mary Loyola (chapter book) Eucharist Jesus Speaks to Me on My First Holy Communion by Angela M. Burrin Jesus Speaks to Me about the Mass by Angela M. Burrin The Supper of the Lamb by Scott Hahn and Emily Stimpson Chapman Jesus and the Miracle of the Mass by Gracie Jagla The Weight of a Mass by Josephine Nobisso Receiving Jesus for Little Ones by Kimberly Fries The Treasure of Saint Tarcisius: Hero of the Eucharist by Caroline McDonald  First Communion by Mother Mary Loyola (chapter book) The King of the Golden City by Mother Mary Loyola (chapter book) Heavenly Hosts: Eucharistic Miracles for Kids by Kathryn Griffin Swegart (chapter book) Confession Jesus Speaks to Me about Confession by Angela M. Burrin Peter and Jesus by a Charcoal Fire by Maura Roan McKeegan First Confession by Mother Mary Loyola (chapter book) Matrimony One Holy Marriage by Katie Warner Holy Orders Father Ben Gets Ready for Mass by Katie Warner Jack Giorgio: Future Priest by Katie Warner   What books would you add to the list?! Ready to dive deeper?  Here are 4 ways to fill your nets...   1. Memorize Bible verses with your children easily with our FREE guide: Stocking the Storehouses  2. Make your dreams of family prayer a reality with The Daily Feast framework, making it possible in just a few minutes a day. This free guide shows you how.  3. Want to steward your own prayer life? Check out this Scripture prayer journal we made just for you.  4. Looking to level-up in your family faith formation? Join over 10,000 families that use our resources. We make open-and-go, family-style resources to make your role as primary catechist easy AND delightful. Click here to browse!

Read more

The Best Catholic Bible for Children - Into the Deep

Blog – by Into the Deep

The Best Catholic Bible for Children

Telling our children the Story of Salvation History helps them understand God’s movement in the world since the beginning. Hearing the stories of God’s faithfulness from long ago reminds them that He is faithful to them now. Learning about the men and women God raised up to serve Him points to their call to be saints.   Blessedly, many people have completed the task of making these stories accessible for kids of all ages. There is a variety of Catholic children’s Bibles on the market today, so how do we know which one(s) to choose?   Should We Even Use a Catholic Children’s Bible?   A preliminary consideration is whether or not we should even use a Children’s Bible.   In short, yes… if it’s worthy.   However, the actual Bible holds primacy always. Sacred Scripture is the actual Word of God, and our kids need to hear it. It is this Word that is living and effective, it is this Word that does not return to the Father void. Reading Sacred Scripture to our children plants the seeds deeply in their hearts. (This is why we always encourage reading from the actual Bible throughout our resources).   Of course, our children hear the actual words of Sacred Scripture at every Mass, and they’ll hear them if your family plays the Liturgy of the Hours or a scriptural Rosary.   I like to read from the actual Bible for our formal catechesis, and a Catholic Bible for children on our “off” days when we’re not doing Into the Deep. And of course, these are the Bibles that are pulled up on laps alongside toddlers, and the ones that get brought to Mass.   Criteria I Use When Selecting a Catholic Bible for Children   When combing through the options for Catholic children’s Bibles, I have a few criteria: It must be authentically Catholic. It must be beautifully-illustrated. It must engage the imagination.   My Favorite Catholic Children’s Bibles   My Big Book of Catholic Bible Stories   This ranks as our favorite Catholic children’s Bible. Although its title implies that it is a collection of Bible stories, I find this to be a much more thorough and complete presentation of Scripture than other smaller collections of Bible stories (see more on those below). What we love: It includes the actual text of Scripture. It uses the NRSV-CE translation. Each story begins with a small blurb providing context of the story before the actual biblical text begins. The illustrations are beautiful. There are closing prayers, Catechism references, and fun facts.   When I found this Bible, I thought it was a perfect companion to our full-year resources!   The Catholic Bible for Children   I am continually impressed with what Magnificat is putting out for children. This Bible is another thorough presentation of the Old and New Testaments. What we love: It is divided into chapters, which helps give some context and framework. The illustrations are engaging. It is written in a more narrative format rather than the exact Bible verses. The quality of the pages is high.   With the Bible Through the Church Year   I found this while thrifting one day and I hit the jackpot. I absolutely love this children’s Bible written by Father Richard Beron, OSB in 1953. We will begin using this one in the Fall.   What we love: It is tied to the liturgical year. Beginning in Autumn, it walks through Advent, Christmas and Epiphany, Septuagesima, Lent, Holy Week, Easter, Pentecost, and Corpus Christi. Each section ends with a corresponding psalm, weaving the Psalms in much like the Mass. There are short descriptions of each liturgical season as you enter it. It is written in a very engaging narrative style. It’s the closest style I’ve found to The Jesus Storybook Bible (more on that below).   This is an older book that is out of print. If you can’t find it on Amazon, check no Thriftbooks or Ebay!   Catholic Bible Story Collections   The following are not full children’s Bibles, but cover the major highlights of the Story of Salvation History.   Read-Aloud Book of Bible Stories   Another favorite in our household, these stories are beautifully-written and engaging.   What we love: It is written in narrative format. The black and white sketches and artwork are more lifelike. It is a wonderful companion to the Advent calendar from Little Liturgy Press (a beloved tradition in our family each Advent).   The Bible Story   Written in 1957, this anthology of Bible stories reads like an epic.   What we love: It is perfect for older readers and teens as it reads like a chapter book. There are not many illustrations, but the sketches are lovely.   This is one I’ll have my kids read as they approach Confirmation as another review of the story God has been writing in the world since the beginning.   My Catholic Picture Bible Stories   From Ascension, this collection of Bible stories is great for younger kids.   What we love: The illustrations are historically accurate. The stories are short (1 page), making it a great read for toddlers and younger children.   While the illustration style is not my favorite, the hardcover is sturdy and thus gets brought to Mass with us.   Tomie dePaola’s Book of Bible Stories   If you love dePaola’s other work, you’ll love this.   What we love: The hardcover version is less expensive and such high quality. Truly, this book is beautiful. Naturally, the illustrations are delightful and deep. The text is written in dePaola’s prose.   I treat this like we do with any collection of stories (like Winnie the Pooh or Beatrix Potter)—I select a season in which we will read one story at a time during tea time or afternoon quiet time. It takes us a long time to move through that way since those are less frequent than Morning Time, but it’s a delight for all!   What about the Jesus Storybook Bible?   I really wish I could broadly recommend this Bible. The writing is beautiful and lyrical. It’s a favorite among Christians, and for good reason. What I particularly love about this Bible is that it shows how the New Testament lies hidden in the Old, and how the Old is fulfilled in the New. Jesus is the through-thread in this book, and it makes clear God’s plan for salvation since the Fall. However, I cannot broadly recommend this title because there are some inclusions that contradict Catholic Church teaching. I can remember two off the top of my head: During the Last Supper, the words read something like, “This is like my body…” Obviously, this is contrary to the doctrine on the Blessed Sacrament. In the narrative on the crucifixion, the author is clearly presenting the teaching of penal substitution. This is the belief that God’s wrath was poured out upon Jesus during His Passion and Death. That God the Father took all His fiery anger and directed it at Jesus. This belief is not the only view even among Protestants about the atonement but is particularly common in Calvinistic circles. This is not the teaching of the Catholic Church.   When we read through this Bible, I self-edited these sections; however, because these subtleties can be easily missed, I cannot broadly recommend it for Catholic families.   The Whole Point   What matters most is that we share the Word of God with our children. Let the Word dwell in them richly, forming their consciences and inspiring them to the greatness for which they were created!   What’s your favorite Catholic children’s Bible? Let us know in the comments!   Ready to dive deeper?  Here are 4 ways to fill your nets...   1. Memorize Bible verses with your children easily with our FREE guide: Stocking the Storehouses  2. Make your dreams of family prayer a reality with The Daily Feast framework, making it possible in just a few minutes a day. This free guide shows you how.  3. Want to steward your own prayer life? Check out this Scripture prayer journal we made just for you.  4. Looking to level-up in your family faith formation? Join over 10,000 families that use our resources. We make open-and-go, family-style resources to make your role as primary catechist easy AND delightful. Click here to browse!

Read more

Picture Books about the Bible - Into the Deep

Blog – by Olivia Spears

Picture Books about the Bible

Telling the Story of Salvation History as lived through Sacred Scripture is one of the most fantastic ways we can capture the holy imaginations of our children. An added layer of of illustration comes through picture books about the Bible.  Looking for solid Catholic children's Bibles? Check out this post. Picture Books about the Bible Many authors throughout the years have presented Bible stories through sketches and stories, paintings and prose. We've gathered some of our favorites below, broken into the Old and New Testaments. Old Testament Creation + the Fall Creation by Gennady Spirin Paradise by Fiona French The End of the Fiery Sword by Maura Roan McKeegan Noah's Ark Noah's Ark by Peter Spier Noah's Ark by Jerry Pinkney The Tower of Babel The Tower of Babel by William Wiesner  The Patriarchs Sarah Laughs by Jacqueline Jules Moses + the Exodus Jacob and Esau by Mary Auld Joseph by Brian Wildsmith The Coat of Many Colors by Jenny Koralek Benjamin and the Silver Goblet by Jacqueline Jules Moses + the Exodus Moses by Margaret Hodges Moses: The Long Road to Freedom by Ann Keay Beneduce Exodus by Brian Wildsmith The Prophets Jonah and the Whale by Rosemary Lanning The Book of Jonah by Peter Spier Into the Sea, Out of the Tomb by Maura Roan McKeegan Daniel and the Lord of the Lions by Gloria Jean Pinkney The Story of the Call of Samuel by Bryn J. Brock and Karin A. Childs The Story of Ruth by Maxine Rose Schur  The Angel & the Donkey by Katherine Paterson  Kings + Queens David and Goliath by Beatrice Schenk De Regniers The Lord is My Shepherd by Gennady Spirin The Wisest Man in the World: A Legend of Ancient Israel by Benjamin ElkinNew Testament To Everything There is a Season by Diane and Leo Dillon Kings and Queens of the Bible by Mary Hoffman Queen Esther Saves Her People by Rita Golden Gelman  The Story of Esther by Eric A. Kimmel New Testament Mary by Brian Wildsmith St. Joseph's Story by Geraldine Guadagno Jesus by Brian Wildsmith The Twelve Apostles by Marianna Mayer St. Peter's Story by Marion Thomas The Miracles of Jesus by Tomie dePaola Loaves and Fishes by Helen Caswell The Parables The Parables of Jesus by Tomie dePaola Parable of the Good Samaritan by Helen Caswell Parable of the Vineyard by Helen Caswell Parable of the Sower by Helen Caswell Parable of the Bridesmaids by Helen Caswell The Paschal Mystery The Easter Story by Brian Wildsmith The Way of the Cross by Inos Biffi The Thornbush by Michael Laughlin Easter by Fiona French     Do you or your children have favorite children's books about the Bible? Let us know in the comments!   

Read more

Catholic Picture Books for April - Into the Deep

Blog – by Into the Deep

Catholic Picture Books for April

April showers bring May flowers! With Easter and warm weather just around the corner, 'spring' into spring with these Catholic picture books for April! This month celebrates Saints such as Saint Bernadette and Saint George.   Catholic Picture Books for April   This I Know by Clay Anderson Based on the beloved children's song Jesus Loves Me, this book has playful rhymes and colorful illustrations that your children will love.   Saint Bernadette and the Miracle of Lourdes by Demi Packed full of beautiful illustrations, this book serves as an excellent introduction to the life of Saint Bernadette.   'Twas the Morning of Easter by Glenys Nellist "'Twas the morning of Easter, before the sun rose, Two guards on a hillside were trying to doze. Now Jesus had died, only three days before, A huge stone was in place, sealed over the door." Written with a catchy rhythm, 'Twas the Morning of Easter is the perfect Easter basket gift.   God Gave Us Easter by Lisa Tawn Bergren This board book is a sweet read while still providing thoughtful insight. Follow Papa Bear and Little Bear as they discuss Easter.   Saint George and the Dragon by Margaret Hodges Saint George and the Dragon is a Caldecott Medal Winner and on top of that an altogether beautiful read.   Cloud of Witnesses: A Child's First Book of Saints by Katie Warner With simple, short quotes from each saint and an illustration to accompany it, Cloud of Witnesses is the perfect book for introducing saints to littles.   Queen Esther by Tomie dePaola This book tells of a Jewish queen who not only loved her people and the Lord but stood by her Faith in times of distress.   Pascual and the Kitchen Angels by Tomie dePaola Pascual, patron saint of kitchens, would not cook. But he trusted in the Lord and when he prayed, the angels cooked.   That Grand Easter Day! by Jill Roman Lord That Grand Easter Day! takes us to that day Mary came to the tomb and Jesus was nowhere to be seen.   Seven Clues: A Catholic Treasure Hunt by Scott Hahn and Maura Roan McKeegan Written by renowned author Scott Hahn and children's author Maura McKeegan, Seven Clues follows three children on their treasure hunt that aids in deepening their Catholic Faith. A great read during Sacraments season!   Bernadette: The Little Girl from Lourdes by Sophie Maraval-Hutin  Born in France, Bernadette was a young girl who had a miraculous encounter with Our Lady of Lourdes.    Saint George and the Dragon by Jim Forest  Saint George was one of the first martyrs of the early Church. He is usually regarded as almost a mythical man. Jim Forest writes of the legend of Saint George, a brave Christian soldier who staunchly defends the princess and the villagers, while also addressing the symbolism behind the legend.    What are YOUR favorite picture books for the Easter season? Drop in the comments!     

Read more

Help! My Kids are Bored at Mass! - Into the Deep

Blog – by Into the Deep

Help! My Kids are Bored at Mass!

Bringing kids to Mass is often a sacrifice of praise in and of itself. Even when tantrums and bathroom breaks are avoided, there's the threat of "boredom." Children have a relatively short attention span as it is, but when they’re bored… Prepare for the whispering, “Are we almost done?”  to repeat steadily until the end of Mass. This is natural and understandable. It also offers us an opportunity to train their attention, patience, and understanding of the importance of being at Mass (even when we're bored).

Read more