Kids, Needs, and Church
Should unschooled kids be forced to go to church? I wonder if this is the wrong question to ask when our kids protest about coming with us. Would it be better to ask, Why doesn’t my child want to go to church?
In this week’s podcast, I talk about this question as well as :
The importance of trying to see the world through our kids’ eyes
How we’re not giving in to our kids when we respond to their needs
How we should respond to the needs of our kids even if it’s inconvenient or difficult
How making kids feel welcome at church isn’t a matter of tolerating their crying during the service
The trials of aspiring authors
How we have to be brave and do things without worrying about the opinions of others
I also share some stories about:
Kangaroos and dogs and the late rising sun
A child who cried in a restaurant because he couldn’t cope
Show Notes
Game-Making Website
Stencyl: Create Amazing Games Without Code
Blog Posts
Podcast music
Twombly by Podington Bear, (CC BY-NC 3.0)
When it comes to sharing our faith with our kids, I am talking from my own experience which may be different from yours. My husband Andy and I share a faith. We both go to church. When it comes to passing on our beliefs, I’m sure we have it easy compared to families where spouses have differing religious beliefs or levels of commitment.
Also, I don’t want to look like I’ve got everything all worked out: “Do as I say and everything will be okay.” No, sometimes things don’t go the way we hope, despite our best efforts. Whatever we do, however hard we try to pass on our love of our faith, our kids have free will and might not choose to do what we believe is best for them. At least for a time. Because we never know what will happen in the future. Sometimes we just have to keep trusting that they’ll get there in the end.
Years ago, I had a wobbly moment in my faith life. Actually, I’ve had many. I feel sad about these times. I wish I could have done better. When I expressed my regrets to our parish priest, he said that maybe that’s the way things had to happen. We learn from all our experiences. God uses everything for our good, even our mistakes. I know that if God can set me back on track, He can do that for anyone. Including our kids.
I’d love to hear your thoughts on this topic. Are they different from mine? Please feel welcome to stop by and continue the conversation!