“The family remains the basic unit of society and the first school in which children learn the human, spiritual and moral values which enable them to be a beacon of goodness, integrity and justice in our communities.”
– Pope Francis
Dr. Darcia Narvaez is a professor at the University of Notre Dame. Her academic scholarship focuses on the neurobiology of moral development and to the study of evolved parenting practices. She lectures about a moral developmental theory that emphasizes a flexibility in terms of how we develop our humanity and our morality. Her 2014 book, “Neurobiology and the Development of Human Morality: Evolution, Culture and Wisdom,” discusses these topics. Learn more about her and her work on website.
Dr. Tim Muldoon (systematic theologian, adjunct professor at Boston College) and his wife, Sue Muldoon (therapist and pastoral minister), are author of several books on parenting and family life. As parents of teenagers and as professionals, they write about the tasks of living Catholic faith in the vocation to parenthood and are influenced greatly by Ignatian spirituality. They seek to help parents develop open and respectful relationships with their children. We invite you to see their book offerings. Find them on Facebook @timandsuemuldoon.
Pope Francis reminds us that, “A small step, in the midst of great human limits, can be more pleasing to God than the outwardly correct life of those who spend their days without facing important difficulties.” (Amoris Laetitia #305)
Guiding children to develop strategies so that they can adapt to life’s inevitable challenges should be a core part of parenting.
Good communication is more than “I-messages” and “communication roadblocks,” although those concepts, created by the psychologist Dr. Thomas Gordon, have helped millions of parents to communicate better with their children. Dr. Gordon’s pioneering P.E.T. (Parent Effectiveness Training) program offers proven communication skills that really work. When they use these skills, parents are amazed with the dramatic improvement both in their families and in all their relationships.
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