Preparing Our Children for Heaven, Not Harvard

Photo by Nathan Dumlao on Unsplash

Can we take a moment to talk about something that’s been pressing on my heart lately? It’s this idea of raising our children to be Saints in a world that seems to constantly pull them away from God. With all the noise surrounding us – the pressure to achieve academically, to own the latest gadgets, to fit into society’s definition of success – it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. But deep down, we know that our calling as Catholic mothers goes far beyond the expectations of the world. Our mission isn’t to raise children who are the smartest, wealthiest, or most popular. Instead, our ultimate goal is to raise souls who will one day hear those beautiful words from our Lord: “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

You know, it’s so easy to get caught up in the idea that we need to set our kids up for worldly success – high test scores, the best colleges, prestigious careers. And I won’t lie; as a homeschooling mother, I’ve had moments where I’ve worried about whether I’m doing enough in that department. But here’s what I keep coming back to: our goal as Catholic parents isn't to raise Harvard graduates; it's to raise Heaven-bound souls.

When we stand before God one day, He’s not going to ask us about the square footage of our home, the number of zeros in our bank account, or whether our kids could recite the periodic table by age 10. No, He’s going to ask us, "Did you help them know Me? Did you teach them to love Me above all else?" And that question should drive every single decision we make as parents.

Our culture is relentless in pushing the idea that success is measured by grades, career status, material wealth, and popularity. But, as Catholics, we know better. When we’re on our deathbed, the newest iPhone or that fancy vacation isn’t going to mean a thing. All that will matter is where we are going – and who we’re taking with us. And here’s the incredible, humbling truth: the only treasure we can take to Heaven is our children. That’s it. That’s the treasure we’re entrusted with here on earth.

I remember reading something from St. John Paul II that pierced my heart: “As the family goes, so goes the nation, and so goes the whole world in which we live.” It’s such a powerful reminder that our job as parents isn’t just about keeping our kids fed, clothed, and educated; it’s about raising little souls who know that their real home isn’t on this earth. We’re called to raise children who will impact the world with their love for Christ – children who will one day become the Saints this world desperately needs.

So how do we do this? We start small. We make God the center of our homes, not just something we “fit in” on Sundays or when we’re not too busy. We pray with our children, read the Bible, talk about the Saints, and celebrate the liturgical seasons together. We teach them that their worth isn’t tied to their grades or achievements but to their identity as beloved children of God. We show them by example that the greatest goal is to love and serve God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength.

It’s not about perfection; trust me, I’m a work in progress too! Some days, I feel like I’m just barely getting by, and that’s okay. God doesn’t ask us to be perfect – He asks us to be faithful. He asks us to keep showing up, to keep praying, to keep loving, even on the messy, chaotic days. And here’s the beautiful thing – our children see that. They see us turning to God in the struggles, and they learn that they can do the same.

So, let’s encourage each other to keep our eyes on the ultimate prize – eternity with our Heavenly Father. Let’s remind ourselves that every act of love, every moment spent teaching our children about God, every time we choose faith over fear, we are planting seeds that will bear fruit in their souls, fruit that will last long after the world’s applause has faded.

Our children don’t need us to be perfect moms; they need us to be holy moms. They need us to be mothers who show them that the most important thing they can do with their lives is to become saints. And isn’t that what we want for them, more than anything? To have our children join us in Heaven for all of eternity? If that's what we truly want for our children, we need to take the task of catechesis very seriously and not hope that someone else can do that job better than us. It's our job to make sure our children are properly catechised! 

Homeschooling has been one of the greatest gifts in our journey of raising our wild saints in training. It gives us the freedom to shape our days around what truly matters – nurturing not just our children's minds but their souls. Every lesson, every subject, becomes an opportunity to weave in the truths of our Catholic faith. Whether it’s starting our morning with prayer, exploring the beauty of God’s creation in a nature study, or reading about the lives of the Saints, homeschooling allows us to make Christ the center of our children’s education. It’s not just about academics; it’s about forming hearts that seek after God, teaching them that their worth isn’t defined by grades or achievements, but by their identity as beloved children of God. This intentional choice to homeschool allows us to create a learning environment where our children are immersed in faith, love, and the truth of the Gospel – because at the end of the day, it’s not about raising scholars, but about raising saints for Heaven.

Let’s make a promise to each other today – to strive for Heaven, not just for ourselves but for our children. Let’s keep our eyes fixed on Jesus and remember that our most important mission isn’t to prepare them for college but to prepare them for eternity. Because, my friend, at the end of the day, the only thing that matters – the only thing – is getting our family to Heaven. That is the greatest achievement we could ever hope for. Let’s make becoming saints and raising saints our number one goal, today and every day!