by Cheryl Burger

Created on: July 31, 2008

This is probably the easiest of all tasks parents are asked to do, explain the religion of your choice to your child. When they are first born take them to the church or temple to be introduced to the other members. This is the time to become spiritually closer to your little one. Even when they are just an infant, they become familiar with the sounds and music and even the mannerisms of your faith.

When they are older, some churches choose to have Sunday school or cathechism classes. This is when you will be separated from your child and you should get to know the Sunday school instructor, so that you can fill them in on anything that they might have a problem with such as a peanut allergy. Cookies are always a big deal at our church on Sunday after the service.

If your child were to ask you a question regarding the lesson they learned, and you are not sure how to answer, just use your parenting skills and move on. Trust in your faith and what you as a parent know, and answer as honest as you know how. You need not get into an involved conversation, afterall, small children lose interest after about four minutes anyway and just blank you out. So make it quick, and ask them if that was what they were asking and if that is all they want to ask.

Now, as they get older, the questions get much more difficult, and again trust your own insight and knowledge. If they seem like they are fading and not wanting to go to church or Temple ask them why? It might be something simple and with kids it many times is. However, when the child asks you where God came from, and how do we know He is there and such quetions like this, tell them what you believe in your own heart. After all the key to your soul is contained within your heart!

When they ask or say they don't want or need religion, tell them your won personal conflicts with your own faith as you were growing up, be totally honest and let them talk. Teenagers like to talk, more than they like to listen many times.

Now, it is your obligation to make sure your child has a strong foundation, and your faith is the strongest one known to man isn't it? So let them know that going to church is not an option, it will be expected of them as long as they are under your roof. And in the case of teh Jewish child, tell them that if Rabbi Reubenfield has to come and ask you why you were not at Temple, and they are asked as a teen if they are trying to forget about their traditions of faith. They better have a good explanation for him.

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