HEthePrimate Posted September 27, 2009 Report Share Posted September 27, 2009 Seeing as how tomorrow is Fast Sunday in my ward because General Conference is coming up the following week, a question comes up. How do you get young children, who have not fasted before, to start fasting? Without traumatizing them, of course! I mean, they may not like being hungry and may put up a fuss. Also, how does one deal with feisty teenagers who refuse to fast? HEP Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jadams_4040 Posted September 27, 2009 Report Share Posted September 27, 2009 Seeing as how tomorrow is Fast Sunday in my ward because General Conference is coming up the following week, a question comes up.How do you get young children, who have not fasted before, to start fasting? Without traumatizing them, of course! I mean, they may not like being hungry and may put up a fuss. Also, how does one deal with feisty teenagers who refuse to fast?HEP they cant be forced; they need to be inspired, usually from a loving parents; And if there really young kids its probably not a good idea because they understand not what it really means anyway;:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted September 27, 2009 Report Share Posted September 27, 2009 My 8-year-old just got baptized a month ago. He told me he wants to fast. I told him okay but told him he can start with eating just bread and water for dinner (Saturday). He said he just wants the water. I said okay. He woke up really hungry, so we prayed and broke the fast. Fast Sunday for us is Sunday after conference. Will see what he wants to do then. So yeah, I just left it up to my kids. They get taught at primary and at FHE about fasting. I figured they'll eventually want to participate in it on their own and I was right, at least in the case of my firstborn. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Traveler Posted September 27, 2009 Report Share Posted September 27, 2009 Seeing as how tomorrow is Fast Sunday in my ward because General Conference is coming up the following week, a question comes up.How do you get young children, who have not fasted before, to start fasting? Without traumatizing them, of course! I mean, they may not like being hungry and may put up a fuss. Also, how does one deal with feisty teenagers who refuse to fast?HEP What I would do is offer my child something to eat that they would refuse to eat in the past. I thought it was a no lose situation. If they decided to eat it then I would know that the next time we had it at a regular meal they could eat it without complaining. If they decided not to eat it then we were on our way to helping them learn to fast. The other point that I think is most important is that the family has something important to fast for. That way we could all start our fast together with a family prayer. I found it most helpful if we were fasting for something important to our children – especially teenagers that may not feel fasting is important. The Traveler Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bytor2112 Posted September 27, 2009 Report Share Posted September 27, 2009 Lock them in the closet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HEthePrimate Posted September 27, 2009 Author Report Share Posted September 27, 2009 Lock them in the closet.LOL! I said, "Without traumatizing them," silly! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HEthePrimate Posted September 27, 2009 Author Report Share Posted September 27, 2009 (edited) Thanks for your responses. Sounds like you have some really good ideas. :) I've been fasting so long (not continuously, of course, but once a month!) that I don't remember how my parents got me started. I'm sure they teach it in Primary, and I imagine when children see their parents fasting they ask questions, and that's a good "teaching moment." (Probably helps, too, if the parents don't act all glum about fasting!) Along with fasting for a purpose, a couple of things I really like about fasting are that I find it cleansing to the body, and that fasting really does "set apart" that time as something special, and helps create a worshipful, meditative, state of mind. Peace, HEP Edited September 27, 2009 by HEthePrimate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Traveler Posted September 27, 2009 Report Share Posted September 27, 2009 Thanks for your responses. Sounds like you have some really good ideas. :)I've been fasting so long (not continuously, of course, but once a month!) that I don't remember how my parents got me started. I'm sure they teach it in Primary, and I imagine when children see their parents fasting they ask questions, and that's a good "teaching moment." (Probably helps, too, if the parents don't act all glum about fasting!)Along with fasting for a purpose, a couple of things I really like about fasting are that I find it cleansing to the body, and that fasting really does "set apart" that time as something special, and helps create a worshipful, meditative, state of mind.Peace,HEP Be careful in relying on the church to teach. One time I was teaching a class of 16 year olds for a week and the lesson was on fasting. Out of about 8 kids only one had ever actually fasted. The next Sunday was fast Sunday so I suggested we fast as a class - meeting Saturday after dinner to start our fast with a prayer. There was a brother in the stake dying of brain cancer so we stopped by to visit him first on Saturday. We had our prayer and the class fasted. It was a very positive experience.The Traveler Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bini Posted September 27, 2009 Report Share Posted September 27, 2009 How long are you supposed to fast? I never fasted. I was a feisty teen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dravin Posted September 27, 2009 Report Share Posted September 27, 2009 From Fasting and Fast OfferingsFast SundayThe Church designates one Sunday each month, usually the first Sunday, as a day of fasting. Proper observance of fast Sunday includes going without food and drink for two consecutive meals, attending fast and testimony meeting, and giving a fast offering to help care for those in need.A fast offering should be at least the value of the two meals not eaten. When possible, we should be generous and give much more than this amount.In addition to observing the fast days set aside by Church leaders, we can fast on any other day, according to our needs and the needs of others. However, we should not fast too frequently or for excessive periods of time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bini Posted September 27, 2009 Report Share Posted September 27, 2009 Thanks, Dravin.I guess I wasn't that feisty. I do recall fasting for two consecutive meals :] At least, a few times I had. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deseretgov Posted September 27, 2009 Report Share Posted September 27, 2009 What my parents did with us is that once we were eight and baptized we would fast for only one meal. Then after we were twelve we wee expected to fast the full length like everyone else. So there was sort of a preperatory period. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miztrniceguy Posted September 27, 2009 Report Share Posted September 27, 2009 my kids are too fast already...i want to slow them down. brlenox 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deseretgov Posted September 27, 2009 Report Share Posted September 27, 2009 Actually, when I first saw this thread I thought it was asking, "How do you get kids fast." Maybe the polygamy thread was just on my mind. Hahaha. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrsAri Posted September 27, 2009 Report Share Posted September 27, 2009 I don't think that fasting children is necessary. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LDSVALLEY Posted September 28, 2009 Report Share Posted September 28, 2009 Seeing as how tomorrow is Fast Sunday in my ward because General Conference is coming up the following week, a question comes up.How do you get young children, who have not fasted before, to start fasting? Without traumatizing them, of course! I mean, they may not like being hungry and may put up a fuss. Also, how does one deal with feisty teenagers who refuse to fast?HEPSorry didn't have time to read replies so they might have answered it for you already.Personally my wife and I did nothing to encourage them to fast. We have three 14,11,10. The youngest fasted for 1/2 a day, the middle one fasted the entire time. The oldest takes medication that requires her to take food, so she didn't. She has on occasion but the meds are hard on her stomach. My wife fasted but I am in the same situation as my oldest which makes fasting more difficult.We never did anything other then be an example of parents who fasted ( I used to be able to do so regularly.) They decided on their own to fast, we let them know they could break it anytime they choose even if it was 15 minutes later.We are instructed to not force or pressure children to fast although we can and should encourage them to do so as best they can. We did teach the proper way to fast and the benifit from doing so. But have left it up to them.As far as the older ones go, trying to force them to fast is not going to gain them a testimony of fasting but actually create a negative backlash at the church which will have the opposite effect then what you seek. Also at that age many teens require large and frequent amounts of stuff as their bodies go through many changes. Unless they volunteer to do it I don't think you should try to get them doing it.Now having said all that I have one alternative suggestion. I have seen some families who have organized family fasts with their children ( but not young ones) by preplanning the event. All week talking about what to fast for, Praying about it the day leading to the fast then beginning it. During the evening and after church the next day having planned to play games etc to help occupy the mind to ignore the body. Then after they complete the fast they have a reward arranged for that evening or the next day. Some was special meal, or a movie night etc.If other things are going good with them such as attending church, going to classes, family home evening etc then I would not worry too much about fasting. If those things are not going well then fix them first cause it is usually easier then trying to fast if they are pulling away from the spirit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
will227457 Posted September 28, 2009 Report Share Posted September 28, 2009 kids need to want to do it, yeah they teach it in primary but the best way is to lead by example....a young child should not be asked to fast at all. Let your kids want to do it because they see mommy and daddy doing it...make it an event even if they do not participate explain to them why you do it and what you expect to get out of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vort Posted September 29, 2009 Report Share Posted September 29, 2009 I invite my children to fast, starting from the age of six or eight. If they don't want to fast a full day (which the younger ones never do), I invite them to fast for a period of time, e.g. to skip breakfast. By the time they're twelve or so, I let them know that I expect them to participate in a full fast unless they're too sick. But I don't force them to do so; it's their choice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danite Posted September 29, 2009 Report Share Posted September 29, 2009 Well I never required my kids to fast. You have to be able to understand the principle of fasting or your just going hungry ,and you will harden to fasting and start to hate fast Sunday and fasting altogether, ever kids different but time there teenagers they should be able understan the power that comes from fasting. Just going hungry is silly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sleevers78 Posted November 29, 2017 Report Share Posted November 29, 2017 Although by invitation is great, I think that kids need to know what is the expectation as a disciple of Christ. Fasting shouldn't just be if you want to or here and there, but with a purpose and kids need to know that. Doing it as a family is great because they know that their parents are doing it too. After enforcing a time or two with a purpose in mind, then maybe having them choose the purpose could lead them to having a spiritual confirmation early in life. If they fight you at it, then there are maybe things you can look up in the Friend to help them see that its not just you pushing it, but it's a commandment but one that yields tremendous blessings. Share your experiences. Then show them pictures of kids in Ethiopia and that surely they could miss two meals even if its just to be grateful for what they have. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bytebear Posted November 29, 2017 Report Share Posted November 29, 2017 On 9/26/2009 at 8:52 PM, HEthePrimate said: Seeing as how tomorrow is Fast Sunday in my ward because General Conference is coming up the following week, a question comes up. How do you get young children, who have not fasted before, to start fasting? Without traumatizing them, of course! I mean, they may not like being hungry and may put up a fuss. Also, how does one deal with feisty teenagers who refuse to fast? HEP I have the exact opposite problem. How do you get your kids to eat? mordorbund 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zil Posted November 29, 2017 Report Share Posted November 29, 2017 "How do you get kids too fast?" Well, um, you and your spouse, um, er, well .... ya know .... Nevermind, I'm sure you'll figure it out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zil Posted November 29, 2017 Report Share Posted November 29, 2017 16 minutes ago, bytebear said: How do you get your kids to eat? I'm thinking once they're hungry enough, they'll cave. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sunday21 Posted November 30, 2017 Report Share Posted November 30, 2017 1 hour ago, bytebear said: I have the exact opposite problem. How do you get your kids to eat? Ice cream! bytebear 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 30, 2017 Report Share Posted November 30, 2017 How do you get your kids to fast? Don't ask me, I have trouble fasting myself . . . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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