How are you going to explain "God" to your child?

Just curious....

Re: How are you going to explain "God" to your child?

Not sure yet. But I have to explain DS about mommy's religion and daddy's religion.

I was going to check online for books

Re: How are you going to explain "God" to your child?

We go to church every Sunday, so she will be brought up knowing all about God

You can get some really cute books if you are looking for a way to introduce it

Re: How are you going to explain "God" to your child?

Posted by BabyCote2006

We go to church every Sunday, so she will be brought up knowing all about God

You can get some really cute books if you are looking for a way to introduce it

Re: How are you going to explain "God" to your child?

I think incorporating a book or two that we can read together. Right now he's very young (2 Years Old). As he gets older I would like to also go back to church on a regular basis.

Re: How are you going to explain "God" to your child?

We won't be going to church or synagogue, but I still want him to understand about God...

Re: How are you going to explain "God" to your child?

We live with God as a presence in our home. We pray, give thanks, and the like. I do have a few books and we regularly attend church (well, we're on hiatus since DD was born, but we'll be back full time shortly ). I don't see it as something I'll need to "explain" since His presence will always be known (which is not say I don't think there will be TONS of questions along the way!).

Re: How are you going to explain "God" to your child?

When I taught Pre-K in a Catholic School we had a program called Seeds, and to supplement it we'd read passages out of a Children's Bible that was passed onto me within the school.

The kids REALLY loved listening to the passages from the bible. They were all child-friendly, and had cute illustrations. I've seen the books in Target, Border's etc and keep telling DH that I want to get them so that I can one day read them to Emily.

I was raised Catholic but am not a strict Catholic now. We dont' go to church, my praying is very casual, and I don't know how I feel about organized religion, but I would like to share the stories with her.

Re: How are you going to explain "God" to your child?

Posted by InShock

We live with God as a presence in our home. We pray, give thanks, and the like. I do have a few books and we regularly attend church (well, we're on hiatus since DD was born, but we'll be back full time shortly ). I don't see it as something I'll need to "explain" since His presence will always be known (which is not say I don't think there will be TONS of questions along the way!).

Re: How are you going to explain "God" to your child?

They are being raised Catholic. I take Sarah to church. I don't bring Andy yet, he can't sit still long enough. But she knows that it's Jesus's house and that he's up above the alter, and who the priest is. She was obsessed with the Baby Jesus in the manger of our nativity set.

DH was raised Jewish but hasn't practiced since his bar mitzvah. He is not interested in teaching them about it.

Re: How are you going to explain "God" to your child?

Re: How are you going to explain "God" to your child?

I loved bible stories also Liza, I always think that bible stories can teach a real sense of morals and values. Which is probably why I named him after a bible story.

Re: How are you going to explain "God" to your child?

This is going to be REALLY tricky for us, considering DH and I are both atheist. Alex will be the most culturally enriched jew on the planet, but as far as religion goes, and any discussion about God, I have no idea how we'll handle it

Re: How are you going to explain "God" to your child?

We go to Mass every Sunday, he has his own little bible and books. Although he is only 2, he does get the general idea and he knows that a church "God's House". When we drive by our church he usually says "Mommy, Chessus (thats how he says Jesus) is in there"

Its very important to DH & I that our son know and love his Catholic faith as we do.

Re: How are you going to explain "God" to your child?

Good question!!

I'm not sure, but I'm going to try to go to mass regularly with DS, so I hope that will help!

Re: How are you going to explain "God" to your child?

Liza,
I see what you mean. I think I should have elaborated on my post. Not only do we "do Sundays", but we will pray at the dinner table, have prayer before bedtime, prayer in general, etc.
We will teach her that having a relationship with God is very important. It's not only prayer but honoring God and doing Godly things.
We will teach her that God is her friend and he will be there for her at all times.

Re: How are you going to explain "God" to your child?

Re: How are you going to explain "God" to your child?

Posted by InShock

We live with God as a presence in our home. We pray, give thanks, and the like. I do have a few books and we regularly attend church (well, we're on hiatus since DD was born, but we'll be back full time shortly ). I don't see it as something I'll need to "explain" since His presence will always be known (which is not say I don't think there will be TONS of questions along the way!).

Re: How are you going to explain "God" to your child?

Re: How are you going to explain "God" to your child?

I am the song leader every weekend at church and Cadi comes with me. MY DH also is a eucharistic minister there So I hope that cadi will understand god and we have bought some books from the catholic store.

Re: How are you going to explain "God" to your child?

This was always something of an issue for us. My husband and I were both raised as Roman Catholic and our children are being raised as catholics as well. The tricky part for me is my disappointment in the catholic church. I've come to see religion in a cultural context, the same way my children are Italian, they are catholic. I view the traditions and rites of the church as their traditions and traditions that all the people that have come before them in our families, have experienced. In that context, so many of the disagreements I have with the church, can be ameliorated in my mind.

As for the everyday, I teach my children that religion, all religion, is how you treat people.

But, it is funny, as my oldest is getting older-- she is 10, and we talk about all sorts of things, including sex, when she tells me that in religion classes they are told only married people should have sex, I am forced to respond let me tell you what mom thinks. I than proceeded to tell her that in mom's opinion only grown ups should have sex and clarified for her that a grown up is not a college kid whose tuition mom is writing checks for. Although, I certainly think there is nothing wrong with reserving sex for marriage, its getting difficult to interject some reality and my real world views into the discussions we are having.

Message edited 1/7/2008 11:46:43 AM.

Re: How are you going to explain "God" to your child?

Tricky. DH is atheist and I'm just kind of spiritual non religious kind of God person. Hmmm, haven't really thought about it a whole lot.

Re: How are you going to explain "God" to your child?

good , tough question, I have given this sooo much thought because I was raised VERY religiously as a Jehovas Witness, but now no onger practice, and hubby is Catholic.

I want my child to now God, but cannot bring myself to join another religion, so I will try by reading Bible Stories at night, and prayers before bed. Not sure how else to do it right now.

Re: How are you going to explain "God" to your child?

We take her to church each week, so I'm sure as she understands more around her she'll get some education there. Also I will probably read her bible stories, I have already told her the story of Jesus' birth, and shown her pictures of Jesus, and she knows that Jesus loves her. I love some of the responses here, there are some good examples of how to bring God into your daily life (which is good for myself as well as my DD!)

Re: How are you going to explain "God" to your child?

Posted by dandr10199

Posted by InShock

We live with God as a presence in our home. We pray, give thanks, and the like. I do have a few books and we regularly attend church (well, we're on hiatus since DD was born, but we'll be back full time shortly ). I don't see it as something I'll need to "explain" since His presence will always be known (which is not say I don't think there will be TONS of questions along the way!).

ITA and same here. I also want to tell her that God created her and loves her. That God helped her mommy carry her to full term, helped her mommy & daddy concive her, and helped her mommy survive her surgery. Grace will know how much God loves her and that God is there for her whenever she needs Him.
HTH

Message edited 1/7/2008 7:14:50 PM.