What can we learn from the latest Charlie Charlie Craze?

If you haven’t heard about the recent game, Charlie Charlie, which has somehow seemed to suddenly sweep across the Western world, then you are currently in the minority. Not that

that is necessarily a bad thing. Its recent emergence and infiltration into children’s play has been somewhat daunting, unnerving, and maybe somewhat scary to parents and/or teachers alike. Trinidad and Tobago has also been exposed to this game, with many teachers and parents questioning what they should be doing and whether or not they should just brush it off as child’s play that will eventually fade over time. Certainly, what we can say is, the introduction of this new game points to the continued need for parental attention to children, and for their continued support and guidance, even in play.

The Charlie Charlie Challenge provides parents and children with wonderful opportunities. It affords parents the ability to engage in conversation with their children about the angels and saints who we can call on for intercession and help. We know what the game is, and what doors it is said to open in children’s homes and schools, but what a wonderful teaching moment for parents to talk to their children about the unseen good and bad that exists in the world, and the power of good to overcome evil.

This is also a great time to talk with our children more on the importance of making good decisions. Parents are the first and most important teachers for our children. We can help them to better understand that not every new trend is to be tried. This is a wonderful opportunity for us to have this new example to help our children better discern consequences related to different actions, as well as talk to them about peer pressure. Parents want their children to make the best decisions for themselves. We do this by equipping them with the tools to make these difficult decisions. So parents we look to you to help our young ones learn and understand a bit more the power of, “No” to the negative and, “Yes” to positive influences in their lives.

Perhaps with the advent and widespread playing of this game within our primary schools it has also provoked us to wake up and want to play more games with our children. In this way, we learn about the different games they are now enjoying and we can deepen our bonds with our children through fun. Playing more and, therefore, spending more time with our children encourages a strengthening of the family bond and can have important, long lasting effects on a child’s development.

This game is also an important reminder to the crucial role of the parent in the development of the child. Not only are parents responsible for the physical and emotional needs of their children, but also the spiritual ones. Parents, it is your primary role to care for your children, emotionally, physically, psychologically and socially. Your role does not end once children leave home, but continues into the different spheres of their lives. So take this as an opportunity to be empowered as a parent, being of paramount importance to your child’s life.

It would be remiss of me to not state, that this game has serious implications for our children and the doors that may have already been opened. Calling on any spirit like this is always a matter of great concern. But before we scare our children into playing it more, may we calmly help to steer them onto a better path, may we continue to pray for their protection, bless them both at morning and night, and also remember the sacramentals given to us by the Church. Also, may this be a call for us to monitor even more what we allow our children to be exposed to on the internet and on social media. Our children are depending on us to help them make the right decisions, to be there for them, to play with them, to teach them, pray with them and continue to love and support them. So before we all get into a frenzied panic about the situation, let’s take this as a new parental awakening and enlightenment for the family.

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