Celebrate Valentine's Day with Your Children

Valentine’s Day is a grand celebration of roses, hearts, and love. In reality, there are many stories about who St. Valentine really was. The Christian Broadcast Network reports that St. Valentine was a priest who married soldiers before they departed for war. While this does not seem like a revolutionary idea, it was against the law at the time. Studies long ago found that unmarried soldiers were more likely to take more risks in battle, so the emperor decreed all soldiers should be unmarried. Father Valentine married couples in secret before the men were sent to war. He is also credited for healing the daughter of his jailer; when he later wrote to her before he was executed, he signed his letter “Your Valentine,” and we now follow that tradition. Other sources, like Catholic Online, report that St. Valentine was a devout Christian who was able to convert many people thought actions like restoring eyesight. He also is reported to have married Christians and aided those being persecuted. Lakeland Catholic schools in the Diocese of Orlando have an abundance of activities you and your child can do in honor of St. Valentine.Complete a CraftBeginning the first day of February, write a short love note on a thin strip of construction paper. Fold the note in half, then bend it in the opposite direction and connect the two ends with tape to form a heart. Create a chain of these hearts throughout the month by writing happy thoughts, cheerful sayings, or colorful illustrations on the homemade hearts. By month’s end, you and your child will have a long chain of love that will make you happy whenever you read them.Be KindBe kind every day. Father Valentine went out of his way to make others feel special. Do the same with your neighbors, friends, and even total strangers. Hold open doors, help an elderly neighbor unload her groceries after a trip to the store, or pay for a stranger’s coffee when you visit a fast-food restaurant for breakfast. Most of these ideas cost nothing but time and make the other person feel loved – perfect to remember St. Valentine! Completing acts of kindness will lead them by example.Read TogetherReading together is a fantastic way to feel warm and cozy. Bundle up in your favorite blanket, sip hot chocolate, and read to your children. Better yet, have them read a favorite story to you! If you have older children, use this time as a “non-technology” time and spend an hour or so coloring, reading, or playing a board game. The connection you make with your children will last much longer than the short month of February.Show AffectionTell your children “I love you.” So many parents believe their children understand how much they love them through their actions, but hardly ever express this thought in words. It may sound stilted and odd at first, but your children will truly feel better about themselves when you leave them with, “I love you! Have a great day!”The Lakeland Catholic schools Catholic heritage shines through on special days such as St. Valentine’s Day. Spend the day sharing Father Valentine’s love for humanity, and read our blogs for more ways you can help others throughout the year. Call the Diocese of Orlando at 407-246-4800 to learn about how our schools will be celebrating St. Valentine’s Day.