#lmld

As to giving things up, we should definitely give up the usual things — don’t let anyone mock giving up chocolate, because it has the virtue of being a definite, knowable penance, whereas “becoming a better person” is not. But some areas where we can discipline ourselves to grow in virtue (eg patience, kindness, etc.) while accepting the impositions of life with children would be to take the job at hand one step further than our indulgence would suggest, or even finish it; waiting until we’ve cleaned up the kitchen to move on to another activity; looking up at a person entering the room and maybe even lovingly saying his name; not taking the phone to bed. Just some ideas! You will know the sort of thing you should focus on when you ask God about it.