Fasting as a family unit

Growing up in the Lutheran church for lent we would told to give up something and then we were to try our darned hardest to not do or eat that thing we have up... That was it. No spiritual guardiants. No community support. Nothing. Now that I'm Orthodox I truly understand what fasting is and why it is important to have in our lives.

Saint John Chrysostom explain fasting very well. "Do you fast? Give me proof of it by your works! If you see a poor man, take pity on him! If you see an enemy, be reconciled to him! If you see a friend gaining honour envy him not! If you see a beautiful woman (or a hot guy)bypass her by! For let not the mouth only fast, but also the eye, and the ear, and the feet, and the hands, and all the members of the body. Let the hands fast, by being pure from pillaging. Let the feet fast, by ceasing from running to hateful theaters and along the pathways of sin. Let the yes fast, being taught never to fix themselves rudely upon handsome countenances, or by busy themselves with strange beauties. For looking is the food of the eyes, but if this be such as is unlawful or forbidden, it mars the fast; and upsets the whole safety of the soul; but if is be lawful and safe, it adorns fasting. For it would be among things the most absurd to abstain from lawful food because of the fast, but with the eyes to touch even what is forbidden."

Here is an example of how we might fast as a family. The first year of becoming Orthodox we fasted from meat because we aren't really big meat eaters so we fasted from the thing that was the easiest for us first. The Second year we took milk and meat out of our diet for the fast. Last year we took cheese, milk, and meat out. This year we will probably do the same thing as last year because I am still breastfeeding a baby. 

As for fasting for our eyes we as a family will be fasting from Netflix (unless it has to do with their education) and only on Friday evenings we will have family Christmas movie night. 

The kids decided this year to fast from certain toys, which  I think will benefit them by teaching them to think of different ways to play. On Christmas morning I think they will be more appreciative of their gifts that they'll receive.

We will be praying more as a family as well. When we do our Jesse Tree devotions, morning prayers, evening prayers, and getting back in the habit of saying meal prayers at breakfast and lunch.

We also make it a point to go to church more. Fasting alone is extremely difficult but if you have a community that is fasting alongside you it makes it more bearable and you don't feel alone on your spiritual journey.