Praying the Ignatian Examen with Kids: A Daily Catholic Routine for Families

 

A Simple Bedtime Prayer That Helps Kids Notice God

If you’ve ever tried to “do family prayer” and felt like you were managing distractions more than praying… you’re in good company. Kids are wiggly. Parents are tired. Even the best intentions can get swallowed by bedtime chaos. That’s exactly why the Ignatian Examen is such a gift for families: it’s short, flexible, and built around the real-life moments children already understand—gratitude, feelings, choices, and asking Jesus for help.

The Examen doesn’t require perfect silence or long attention spans. It simply teaches your family to look back on the day with God. And over time, that habit becomes a quiet kind of formation: kids learn that God is near, that they can talk to Him honestly, and that His mercy is real—on good days and hard days.

Jump to:

• What Is the Ignatian Examen?
• Why Pray the Examen with Kids?
• When Should We Pray It?
• How to Set Expectations (Without Making It Heavy)
• How to Pray the Examen with Kids (Step-by-Step)
• Age-Based Prompts (Toddlers to Teens)
• Helping Kids Bring Big Feelings to God
• Copy-and-Paste Family Examen Scripts
• Common Challenges (and Simple Fixes)
• How to Make the Habit Stick
• Helpful Tools for Families (No Tables)
• FAQs

Helpful links: If you want a simple place to begin, browse our Ignatian Examen inspired products. For more faith-filled tools that support daily prayer, explore our Prayer & Devotion collection.

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What Is the Ignatian Examen?

The Ignatian Examen (often called the daily Examen) is a short prayer of reflection rooted in the spirituality of St. Ignatius of Loyola. In its simplest form, it helps you look back on your day with God—notice where He was present, thank Him for gifts, bring Him what was hard, ask forgiveness where needed, and ask for grace for tomorrow.

It’s important to know what the Examen is and what it isn’t:

• It is a daily practice of gratitude, awareness, and growth.
• It is a gentle way to form your conscience without fear.
• It is a habit of turning toward God in real life.
• It isn’t a nightly “performance review” where you earn God’s love.
• It isn’t meant to lead kids into shame, scrupulosity, or despair.

For children, the Examen is especially powerful because it shapes a foundational Catholic truth early: God is close. Not only on Sundays. Not only when they “behave.” But in their real day—the classroom, the playground, the sibling argument, the moment they felt brave, the moment they felt left out, the moment they tried again.

When kids learn to “review the day with Jesus,” they begin to understand that prayer isn’t only memorized words. Prayer is relationship. It’s honest. It’s personal. It’s daily. And it fits into the life your family is actually living.

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Why Pray the Examen with Kids?

Many parents want to pray with their kids—but don’t know where to start. Or they start strong, then lose momentum because it feels complicated. The Examen is different: it’s built to be simple and repeatable, which means it has a real chance of becoming part of your family culture.

Here are a few reasons the Examen works so well with children:

1) It forms gratitude in a natural way

Kids already notice what they like and what they don’t. The Examen gently trains that attention toward gratitude: “What was a gift today?” This isn’t about pretending everything is perfect. It’s about teaching kids to recognize grace—especially in small places.

2) It helps kids name emotions and bring them to God

Children often experience feelings faster than they can explain them. The Examen gives them a safe structure: “What was good? What was hard? When did you feel happy? When did you feel sad?” Over time, this builds emotional maturity and spiritual honesty.

3) It teaches examination of conscience without fear

At the heart of Catholic life is conversion—turning away from sin and turning toward Jesus. But conversion is not fueled by panic or shame. It’s fueled by mercy. The Examen helps kids notice choices (“I wish I hadn’t said that”) in a way that leads to growth, not despair: “Jesus, I’m sorry. Please help me tomorrow.”

4) It creates a family rhythm of reflection

Most families already “review the day” in passing—especially at dinner or bedtime. The Examen simply turns that natural conversation into prayer. It makes space for God in the ordinary, and that changes a home over time.

5) It’s short enough to keep (which matters more than intensity)

In family life, the practices that last are the practices that are sustainable. A two-minute Examen most nights will form your kids more than a long prayer you attempt once a week and abandon because it’s too hard to maintain.

If you’re looking for a gentle, kid-friendly guide that helps you start tonight, our My First Examen board book is designed to walk children through reflection with simple, age-appropriate prompts.

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When Should We Pray It?

The Examen is traditionally prayed at the end of the day. For most families, bedtime is the most natural fit—because the day is winding down and kids are already processing what happened. But the best time is the time you’ll actually do it.

Here are realistic options that work in real life:

• Bedtime: After stories, right before lights out. (Even 90 seconds counts.)
• After dinner: Great if bedtime is too chaotic.
• In the car: A short Examen on the drive home can be surprisingly peaceful.
• During bath time: With little ones, this can be a calm moment to reflect.

If you’re building the habit from scratch, start with a goal that feels almost too easy: two minutes, three nights a week. Then build from there. Consistency grows best when you plan for real life rather than ideal life.

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How to Set Expectations (Without Making It Heavy)

When parents say, “We tried family prayer and it didn’t work,” what they often mean is: “I expected it to look peaceful, and it didn’t.” Setting realistic expectations is part of wisdom.

Here are a few mindset shifts that help:

• Family prayer is training, not a performance. Kids learn by repetition, not by instant perfection.
• Short is not “less spiritual.” If your child learns to speak to Jesus for 60 seconds every night, that’s real formation.
• Wiggles don’t cancel prayer. A distracted Examen is still a prayer. God is not fragile.
• One gentle moment can be enough. Your goal isn’t to “finish the whole thing.” Your goal is to turn hearts toward God.

Also: keep your tone warm. The Examen works because it feels safe—safe to be honest, safe to grow, safe to receive mercy. If your child begins to associate prayer with pressure, it becomes harder to sustain. If your child associates prayer with love, it becomes a refuge.

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How to Pray the Examen with Kids (Step-by-Step)

This family version is simple and adaptable for almost any age. You can do it in 2–6 minutes. You can do it sitting on the bed, cuddled on the couch, or in the car. The structure matters more than the setting.

1. Begin with God’s presence (10 seconds)
   “Jesus, thank You for being with us today.”
   One deep breath together can help. Keep it gentle and short.

2. Name one gift (gratitude)
   Ask: “What was one good thing today?”
   Encourage kids to name something specific: a friend, a moment, a kindness, a fun part of school.

3. Name one hard moment
   Ask: “What was hard today?” or “When did you feel sad/mad/worried?”
   This teaches kids that hard feelings are not a reason to hide from God. They’re an invitation to bring Him our hearts.

4. Notice choices with mercy
   Ask: “Was there a moment you wish you could redo?”
   Keep this gentle. If a child shares something, respond with love and a simple pathway: “Let’s tell Jesus we’re sorry and ask for help tomorrow.”

5. Ask for one grace for tomorrow
   Ask: “What do you want to ask Jesus for tomorrow?”
   Examples: “Help me be kind,” “Help me be brave,” “Help me tell the truth,” “Help me share,” “Help me calm down.”

6. Close with a short prayer
   “Jesus, thank You for today. Please forgive us, help us, and keep us close to You. Amen.”

If you want an easy resource that guides the questions for you (especially on tired nights), My First Examen was created to help families build this habit with simple prompts children can understand.

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Age-Based Prompts (Toddlers to Teens)

Different ages need different kinds of questions. Below are prompts you can use based on your child’s stage. If you have multiple kids, let each child answer one prompt so it stays quick.

Toddlers & Preschool (ages 2–5)

• “What made you smile today?”
• “What made you feel sad or mad?”
• “Who did you love today?”
• “Can we say ‘thank You’ to Jesus for something?”
• “Can we ask Jesus to help you tomorrow?”

Tip: Keep answers short. Toddlers often communicate with one-word answers, gestures, or stories that wander. That’s okay. You’re building familiarity and safety.

Early Elementary (ages 6–8)

• “What was the best part of your day?”
• “What was the hardest part?”
• “When did you do something kind?”
• “Was there a time you needed help but didn’t ask?”
• “What do you want Jesus to help you with tomorrow?”

Upper Elementary (ages 9–11)

• “Where did you notice kindness today?”
• “Where did you feel frustrated or left out?”
• “What’s something you wish you did differently?”
• “Where do you think God was close to you today?”
• “What’s one way you want to grow tomorrow?”

Middle School (ages 12–14)

• “What gave you energy today? What drained you?”
• “Where did you feel peace? Where did you feel stressed?”
• “What relationship felt hard today?”
• “Where did you notice God’s help (even small)?”
• “What’s one grace you want for tomorrow?”

High School (ages 15–18)

• “What did you learn today—about school, yourself, or God?”
• “Where were you most yourself today? Where did you feel pressure?”
• “What’s something you’re grateful for that you didn’t expect?”
• “Where did you feel tempted to be unkind or dishonest?”
• “What do you need from God tomorrow?”

Teen note: Some teens prefer answering privately rather than out loud. You can still keep a shared family Examen by letting them choose one short answer, or letting them write one line and share only what they’re comfortable sharing.

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Helping Kids Bring Big Feelings to God

One of the most beautiful fruits of the family Examen is that it normalizes honesty. Many children assume prayer means “being good” or saying the “right words.” The Examen teaches something deeper: we can bring everything to God—joy, anger, sadness, embarrassment, fear, excitement, shame, gratitude, confusion.

When your child shares a big feeling, you don’t have to fix it instantly. You can teach them how to bring it to Jesus. Here are a few gentle ways to respond:

• Name and validate: “That sounds really hard.”
• Turn toward God: “Let’s tell Jesus about that.”
• Ask for grace: “Jesus, please help (Name) feel safe and loved.”
• Invite wisdom: “What do you think Jesus wants you to know right now?”

Sometimes kids will share something heavy—friendship drama, pressure at school, fear of failure, shame, anger, or worry. The Examen doesn’t replace deeper conversations, boundaries, or professional support when needed. But it does create a spiritual doorway where your child learns: I don’t have to be alone in this.

That is a priceless lesson to learn early.

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Copy-and-Paste Family Examen Scripts

If you’re tired and want something you can simply read out loud, here are a few scripts you can use. Choose the one that fits your family and season.

Script 1: The 2-Minute Bedtime Examen (Little Kids)

Parent: “Jesus, thank You for being with us today.”
Parent: “What’s one good thing that happened today?”
Child(ren): (answers)
Parent: “What’s one hard thing today?”
Child(ren): (answers)
Parent: “Is there something you want to say sorry to Jesus for?”
Child(ren): (answers or “I don’t know”)
Parent: “What do you want to ask Jesus to help you with tomorrow?”
Child(ren): (answers)
All: “Jesus, thank You for today. Please forgive us and help us tomorrow. Amen.”

Script 2: The Family Examen (All Ages)

Parent: “Holy Spirit, help us see our day the way You see it.”
Parent: “Let’s each name one gift from today.”
All: (each shares one gift)
Parent: “Let’s each name one hard moment from today.”
All: (each shares one hard moment; allow ‘pass’ if needed)
Parent: “Was there a moment we could have loved better?”
All: (brief sharing)
Parent: “Jesus, we’re sorry for where we fell short. Thank You for Your mercy.”
Parent: “Now let’s ask for one grace for tomorrow.”
All: (each asks for one grace)
All: “Jesus, keep us close to You. Amen.”

Script 3: The ‘Car Line’ Examen (90 Seconds)

Parent: “Jesus, thank You for today.”
Parent: “Tell me one good thing.”
Child: (answer)
Parent: “Tell me one hard thing.”
Child: (answer)
Parent: “Let’s ask Jesus for help tomorrow.”
All: “Jesus, please help us with (one thing). Amen.”

If you’d like a guided, kid-friendly resource that helps make this consistent (especially at bedtime), My First Examen is designed specifically for families to use again and again.

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Common Challenges (and Simple Fixes)

Family prayer is real life. Here are common hurdles—and fixes that help you keep going without discouragement.

Challenge 1: “My kids won’t sit still.”

Fix: Keep it to 60–120 seconds at first. Pray while they’re already calm (after stories) or while they’re doing something quiet (snuggling, laying down). Wiggles don’t cancel prayer.

Challenge 2: “My kids only say ‘I don’t know.’”

Fix: Offer choices: “Was the best part recess, lunch, or playing outside?” Or model your own answer first: “My good thing was your hug.” Kids learn by imitation.

Challenge 3: “One child dominates and the others shut down.”

Fix: Keep it short and take turns. Each person shares one gratitude and one request. You can also allow a “pass” so kids don’t feel forced.

Challenge 4: “It turns into complaining.”

Fix: Keep the Examen order: gratitude first, hard moment second, grace last. If kids spiral, gently redirect: “That was hard. Let’s ask Jesus for help with that tomorrow.”

Challenge 5: “I’m inconsistent.”

Fix: Choose a minimum: “We do Examen on school nights,” or “We do Examen three nights a week.” Aim for “often,” not “perfect.”

Challenge 6: “My child confesses everything and gets anxious.”

Fix: Keep the tone gentle and simple. Remind them: “Jesus loves you. We’re learning.” If anxiety persists, keep that portion brief and focus more on gratitude and asking for grace. The Examen should lead to hope, not fear.

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How to Make the Habit Stick

Most families don’t fail because they don’t love God. They fail because they try to create a perfect routine instead of a sustainable one. Here are practical ways to make the Examen a habit your family can keep.

1) Attach it to something you already do

Habits stick best when they’re connected to something that’s already part of your rhythm. Try:

• After brushing teeth
• After story time
• Right after bedtime prayers
• On the way home from school

2) Keep a “minimum version” for hard nights

Hard nights are normal. Plan for them. Your minimum Examen can be:

• “Jesus, thank You for today.”
• “One good thing.”
• “One hard thing.”
• “Jesus, please help us tomorrow.”

3) Let kids lead sometimes

Kids love ownership. Let them choose the question order sometimes, or let them ask the prompts. When children participate, prayer becomes something they do—not something you do to them.

4) Celebrate small wins

If you prayed the Examen twice this week, that’s a win. If you prayed it for one minute on a hard night, that’s a win. Grace grows through small fidelities.

5) Don’t underestimate the power of your example

Kids learn what matters by watching what you return to. When they see you bring your day to Jesus—even briefly—they learn that God is not an “extra.” He’s the center.

If you’re craving support in your own prayer life (because parenting can be spiritually draining), you may love our Women’s Prayer Journal. Many moms find that when they have a simple place to process their own day with God, leading family prayer becomes lighter and more joyful.

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Helpful Tools for Families 

When you’re trying to build a new prayer habit, the biggest obstacle is usually not desire—it’s bandwidth. Tools can reduce the mental load and make the Examen feel simpler to lead, especially on nights when everyone is tired.

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FAQs

How long should the Examen with kids take?

For most families, 2–6 minutes is perfect. On hard nights, even 60–90 seconds is enough. The goal is a sustainable rhythm, not a long prayer that becomes stressful.

What if my child shares something serious during the Examen?

Thank them for trusting you, respond calmly, and follow up outside the Examen with whatever support is needed. The Examen is a prayer doorway; deeper conversations and practical steps can happen afterward.

Is the Examen the same as an examination of conscience?

They’re related, but not identical. An examination of conscience focuses more directly on sin and repentance. The Ignatian Examen includes repentance, but also emphasizes gratitude and noticing God’s presence—forming the heart in hope, not discouragement.

What if my kids don’t want to talk?

Keep it simple and don’t force it. Model your own answers briefly. Give them options to “pass,” or let them answer with one word. Over time, safety and consistency build openness.

Can we pray the Examen if our family schedule is inconsistent?

Yes. Choose a minimum plan (like school nights) and keep a “tiny version” for busy nights. The Examen is flexible by design, which makes it ideal for real family life.

 

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Conclusion

Praying the Ignatian Examen with kids doesn’t require a perfect routine or a perfectly calm house. It simply requires a small, steady return to Jesus at the end of the day. When you teach your children to name gifts, bring struggles to God, ask for mercy, and ask for grace, you’re forming them in a faith that is real—faith that belongs in everyday life.

If you start tonight with two minutes, you’re not behind—you’re beginning. And God loves to meet families who turn toward Him with open hands.

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