Notes from this Episode:

Background

• This episode is the second of a two-part episode on perseverance and fortitude.
• Fortitude – the strength of mind that enables a person to either encounter danger or bare pain or adversity with courage.
• Fortitude is the mental and emotional strength that enables courage in the face of adversity, while perseverance is the continuation in a course of action without regard to discouragement, opposition, or previous failure.

The Virtue of Fortitude

• We also call this virtue “courage”.
• It is considered the virtue of those who are convinced and are willing to take risks for an ideal that is worthwhile.
• Love is the emotion that often helps us stay clear on our goals or on what we believe and to be true to it.

Some Examples of Fortitude

• Going to Church when your friends do not
• Standing up for pro-life issues
• Coming to the rescue of others who are being teased or bullied
• Martyrdom is the supreme act of fortitude, when you give your very life for your beliefs or faith.

Where Can We Help Our Children Practice Fortitude?

• The little things we do each day can become great because of our love.
  • It is here where we can help our children and ourselves refine our sense of fortitude.
  • We can stand up respectfully when something wrong is being done to someone else.
  • We need to resist temptation and do the right thing.
• It is important to teach our children early on how to say, “No”.
  • With all the access to technology and pornography, many young children will be accosted with an opportunity to say no and to practice fortitude.
  • Children need to be convinced that their life has a purpose – that is the only way they will practice fortitude.
  • It is okay to be different; children do not have to have everything, even if they want it.
• We need to teach our children endurance to withstand difficulties.
  • Our children have to have moral character of strength.
• Our children need to learn to live beyond the present.
  • So, we want them to obey us and our rules right now, but we also want them to see the long-term benefit of obedience and the benefits of not doing something.

How Can We Teach Fortitude? – Part 1

• Let children feel discomfort.
  • Help them resist giving in to their comfort and make demands that require effort, teach reason, and let them solve their problems.
  • Do not automatically jump in and tell your children what to think.  We want them to be problem solvers.
• Make sure children have a job every day to contribute around the house.
  • Children must have responsibility in order to feel independent.
• Help children to be fearless in the face of difficulties.
• Help your children to not be afraid of the pain of saying “No” to themselves or others.

How Can We Teach Fortitude? – Part 2

• Teach your children to have initiative.
  • Do not be the mommy that does everything for them.
• Encourage physical effort and learning to do something that requires physical effort.
  • This can include sports, learning an instrument, or a new skill.
• Finally, it is imperative that you teach your children to have fortitude in their faith and to love and be willing to defend their faith.

Obstacles to Fortitude

• The first is the fear of being alone or rejected.
  • If they are the “only one” who does not have a phone or wear the latest fashion, or watch the popular movie, that is okay, and if necessary, they can blame it on you.
• Another obstacle is the fear of discomfort, whether it is emotional or physical discomfort.
  • We do not want them to give in to physical discomfort when things get hard.

Some Questions for You

• Do you focus on what is good for others?
• Do you only seek the easy way or the pleasurable way?
• Do you resist temptations that the consumer society pushes at you?
• Do you make an effort to carry out everyday tasks and chores carefully and with love? Or do you complain?

How Can We as Moms Practice Fortitude?

• Struggle day in and day out with a smile on your face and mortification of your mind and imagination.
• Create a schedule that works for you.
• Practice fortitude with home management.
• Resist the allure of the culture.
  • Do not give in to social media or all the things that everyone is talking about that you should be doing.
  • Know who you are and what you were created for and the mission that you have.