Fasting

[Justin Kissel]

I thought it was a good question... though perhaps Priests are less open about such questions and would rather discuss them in private? But I too hope that someone answers

[Monk George]

Dear listmembers,

Married couples begin fasting from marital relations when the Great Fast begins, not during the weeks leading up to it, except on the normal fast days of Wednesday and Friday in the week leading up to Meat Fare Sunday.

In Christ,

George, hegumen

[Daniel]

Thank you, Fr. George!

[Mary Kissel]

I agree, thankyou Father George!

MaryCecilia

[Tessa]

I feel comfortable in what my priest has prescribed, but just out of curiosity what do you all (who have kids) do about fasting. Do your kids fast and at what age, and what degree of of strictness.

In my Sunday school class we had a debate about it during the Cheesfare.

This one ten year old tells me they eat Chicken soup, her mom just "takes the chicken out", LOL.

Two other girls tell me their opinion, their mother is a papist, "Lent is when you give something up. Last year I gave up meat."
I was like, "wow that's really great, you mean you didn't eat meat a the whole Lent?!"
She looks at me and says, "well I ate chicken but no meat."

(Silly me, I forgot chicken is a vegetable!!!)

Anyways with my kids, ages 3 and almost 2, I try to have them fast as much as possible. No meat or dairy Wednesdays or Fridays, lots of soymilk and Veggie Nuggets instead. What I find during Lent though is, when I prepare only Lenten foods that's what they end up wanting anyway. I mean they don't go "mama fry me up a steak". I will have them fast when seriously when I think they are ready. I was just curious to see what everyone else does. My 3 year old already says, "mom I can't eat that-I'm fasting" whenever she's rather play than eat.

In Christ
Tessa

[_cizinec_]

I have a 3 year old and was wondering when people start. My wife is pregnant and has Hughe's Syndrome and has to stick to a particular diet, although I have been impressed that she makes up for the non-fasting foods when I'm not around. Because my wife isn't fasting when I'm not there, she feeds my son what she's eating and he isn't fasting at all. I'm hoping to get him really started this Lent, but I'm not sure what's the best way.

Is three too young?

[尼古拉前执事]

From what I have heard, you want them to start them fasting by the time that they are old enough to confess, but before then have them do what they can in baby steps. But as to what specifically, this would be a question for your spiritual father.