This map of resources about the family is a selection of useful publications recommended by experts. Life is full of surprises, some pleasant and some not so pleasant. Building and maintaining a happy family is a dream that many of us aspire to.

Contents of the resources map on the family

Marriage

• Preparing for marriage
• Married life
• Marital crises
• Women

Children

• Bringing up children
• Identity and sexuality
• For educators

Why a map of resources about the family?

As we progress along the path of family life we discover how intricate it is, how easy it is to get lost, and how dark it can sometimes seem. At the same time, we no longer live in the days when you had to learn to find your way by looking at the stars or using a simple compass.

There are many resources about the family, the fruit of the experience and wisdom of expert guides, that are at our fingertips, available on the web, on social networks, in printed books, etc. Navigating these resources is also complex.

We offer a quality map, a list of easily accessible learning resources on some of the challenges currently facing families. It includes some materials that we hope will be an effective aid for an initial navigation of these topics.

This simple, schematic map contains relevant aspects and resources for moving along the exciting and adventurous path of a family project.

PLEASE NOTE Many of the videos listed below are in Spanish or Italian. Where subtitles are available, it is possible to auto-generate English subtitles, and though these are not top-quality they can help in grasping the message of the video. At the bottom of the screen click on Settings – Subtitles/CC – Spanish (auto-generated) – Spanish (auto-generated) – Auto-translate; and then select English from the drop-down list.

Similarly, where websites are in Spanish, if they do not offer an English page, it is possible to use auto-translate to render them into English – right-click anywhere on the homepage and select “Translate to English” from the list of options.

Preparing for marriage

• Focus Course for couples: Online course for those preparing for marriage. It consists of a test with around 360 questions on many aspects. It helps to understand what courtship means. Cost: around 30 dollars.
• Canavox.com: Books on courtship.
• Lonuestro.info: (in Spanish) Instagram, with two books: Matrimonio para inconformistas; Sexo para inconformistas.
• Cómo tirar la caña con acierto: (in Spanish) Video: 5 key issues for successful courtship and engagement, according to Pep Borrell.
• Te quiero con todo mi cuerpo (parte 1): Video (in two parts): lecture by Rafael Lafuente, expert on family issues and education in love.
• Familiaris Consortio: Apostolic Exhortation of St John Paul II, 1981, on the mission of the Christian family. Basic, topical reading.
• Amoris Laetitia: Apostolic Exhortation of Pope Francis, 2016, on love in the family. A very rich discussion of numerous topics.

Married life

• Bailar en la cocina: (in Spanish) Book and videos by Pep Borrell; practical and friendly approach.
• Camino matrimonial: (in Spanish) Book: Accompanying on the marriage journey: Family ministry in the light of Amoris Laetitia; Francisco Insa (Editor). Various authors.
• The Five Love Languages: Book by Gary Chapman; good and concrete, a guide to knowing oneself and one’s partner.

Marital crises

• Dale una vuelta: (in Spanish) Video: pornography in a couple’s relationship: how it affects the marriage; how to overcome pornography addiction.

Women

• LA MADUREZ DE LA VIDA ¿Qué ocurre una vez que pasamos los 40 años?: (in Spanish) Video: Marian Rojas and Enrique Rojas in an interview about the maturity of the person and what happens to them from the age of 40. Cultivation of emotional intelligence from childhood.
• Mulieris Dignitatem: Apostolic Letter of St John Paul II, 1988, on the dignity and vocation of women.
• Mi caracter y yo: (in Spanish) Video: on character. What is the relationship between my character and me? Am I responsible for my way of being? This website does have an English page, https://madurezpsicologica.com/en/ with some resources in English, but the video “Mi caracter y yo” is in Spanish with no English subtitles.
• Vida espiritual y salud mental: (in Spanish) Video: how spiritual life influences mental health. So often, when you hit rock bottom, you come out of it with improved spiritual life and a deeper relationship with God.
• Soy más que mi cuerpo: (in Spanish) Video: Javier Vidal Quadras – IFFD, sexuality and modesty.
• Mujer ¿Quién eres? Antropología de la coidentidad esponsal: (in Spanish) Video: Anthropology of spousal co-identity, Dr Blanca Castilla de Cortázar. ICF University of Piura.
• IESE Women’s Lobby: La depresion de la mujer: (in Spanish) Video: Marian Rojas – IESE; Women’s Lobby: Women’s depression. Holistic approach.
• La persona humana: (in Spanish) Video: Tomás Melendo – Introduction: The human person.
• Cómo conocer al ser humano: (in Spanish) Video (58 minutes): Tomás Melendo. Anthropology and life.
• Liderer es servir: (in Spanish) Short article by Marian Rojas on the website LaFamilia.info. Leadership is a quality that is learnt and developed, and should be promoted not only in the workplace but also in the family.
• La maternidad un maravilloso don de Dios: (in Spanish) Article by Karen Hutch on Aleteia. Valuing motherhood as a gift.

Bringing up children

• The Defining Decade: Meg Jay’s book. Many topics for ages 20-30; a good reference for understanding young adults.
• Passing on the Faith (I) and Passing on the Faith (II) Two articles on passing on the Faith within the family: not a technique, but something natural.
• La trasmissione della fede: (in Italian) Video by Don Stefano Salucci.
• Lo sviluppo degli affetti: Monika Grygiel, psychiatrist and psychotherapist. Development of affectivity and the role of the family.
• Virtuous Leadership Institute: Website with recommended books and other material on virtues and leadership.
• Iuvenes Youth Ministry: (in Spanish) Website: Doctrinal explanation and liturgical times adapted to young people.
• Trabajar la confianza: (in Spanish) Video series: working on trust.
• Pause by IFFD: Web platform: stop and think about your family. Videos.
• María Teresa Llamas: (in Spanish) Instagram – Books: for children and teenagers.
• Aceprensa Libros juveniles: (in Spanish) Instagram – Books: for teenagers.
• Eva Tornero – member of IFFD: (in Spanish) Instagram – Books.
• José Martín Aguado: (in Spanish) Instagram: educational news.
• Isabel Caruana: (in Spanish) Blog: educational and cultural resources.

Identity and sexuality

• Canavox: Sex, gender and identity: Website that gives a voice to marriage. The beauty of marriage between a man and a woman, for life.
• Gender ideology, preparatory: Video on how to help our children deal with gender ideology in their high school years. https://canavox.com/videos/helping-our-children-navigate-gender-ideology-the-high-school-yearsmature/
• Gender Ideology, Primary: Video on how to help our children deal with gender ideology in primary school.
• Gender Ideology, Secondary: Video on how to help our children deal with gender ideology in secondary school.
• Infinity (UNAV): Website of an interdisciplinary and intergenerational research group at the University of Navarra.
• Project manhood, Dads and daughters: Video about what it means to be a real man, dads and daughters, boys and video games.
• Jokin_de_Irala: (in Spanish) Instagram For understanding the changes in your body, affectivity and really falling in love.
• Courage International: Website offering support and guidance for parents and children on gender issues.
• Te quiero por eso no quiero: (in Spanish) book by Jokin de Irala on the value of waiting until marriage.
• Un momento inolvidable. Juntos por primera vez: (in Spanish) book by Jokin de Irala for educators of engaged couples and married couples.
• IFFD Love Talks: Sexuality and Affectivity: IFFD conference papers, useful and informative.
• El debate del genero: (in Spanish; French original, Questionnements de genre) A book by Aude Mirkovic and Claire de Gatellier that addresses the gender debate in childhood and adolescence, with contributions from lawyers, surgeons, psychiatrists and psychologists.
• Paroste: (in Spanish) Instagram with recommendations for family leisure, cinema and family; what you need to grow up.

For educators

• IFFD (Institute for Family and Life Development): Website: Courses and training for educators.
• Empantallados: (in Spanish) Website with resources developed by the Spanish educational association Fomento de Centros de Enseñanza on screen use, with specific content useful for parents and educators.
• Instituto Latinoamericano de la Familia, Universidad de la Sabana: (in Spanish) Website: strengthening family ties, impacting the well-being of society and the development of organisations.
• Se Buscan Rebeldes: (in Spanish) Website: evangelising young people.