This is a topic that has been on my mind for a while. I was raised being told what to believe. As I got older, I discovered that I didn't really believe that after all. I did feel a certain amount of resentment about having to attend church services weekly and church school, listening to messages that did not coincide with my own thoughts. I did not learn much at all about other spiritualities and philosophies.

When raising our girls, I have found it difficult at times to know how to approach the subject. There are times, such as following a death, that it seems even harder to explain. I have a rather eclectic belief system, myself, but I do not feel comfortable teaching my girls that my way is the only way it is. I try to explain things to them in the terms of "some people think..... and others think..... and yet others think....." without giving them the idea that any one way is more right than another. Yet, I realize that I end up sharing more info about Earth based spiritualities than others because I tend to know more info about them.

How do you approach teaching your children about beliefs? Do you think that it is up to you to direct them to one specific way, or do you try to expose them to different beliefs and let them choose their own way? If you do try to teach about different schools of thought, how (where) do you get your info so that you know you are giving your children a good, rounded idea of those beliefs?

Having been raised to "find my own way" and having struggled for years because of it, I know that it may be unpopular but yes - I am teaching my children what our family believes.

I am of course including the fact that others do not believe what we do, and that it is absolutely ok to learn what they believe, to talk to them about what they believe etc. And we pray for some folks who don't believe in anything, that the Holy spirit will touch their hearts and souls and open them up to accepting God.

I know that they may indeed choose another path as adults. And I will pray for them, and with them as they enter adulthood and are exposed to more and more of other peoples spirituality and religion.
But as children, I am giving them a firm, sturdy foundation and a personal relationship with God.
We are Christ followers. We are teaching our children a bible based spirituality. That God loves them. That God sent His son to die for us and we thank Him for that and we praise Him and we know that we are blessed by Him. I want my kids to know deep down in their souls that there is a God and He made them unique and special and that He loves them and has from the moment they were conceived. That He has a plan for them and watches over them and they are never alone in this world. that His word is there to guide them as they grow and learn and become adults.

I teach my children , they go to sunday school, they attend a playgroup where the parents are involved in bible study so they are watching us learn together, pray together and worship together.

My kids ask questions of course and will hopefully not "blindly" follow or be "obedient" but will have FAITH.
I want my children growing up with a personal relationship with God and Faith. Because I did not and my life sucked on so many levels and I struggled for so many years to figure out what I believed to be the truth since no one raised me with any solid belief system.

Since we are also Jewish (I am jewish by birth therefore my children are as well) and are basically messianic in our beliefs, they are also learning a great deal about Judaism. Half their family is Jewish too which helps. When I'm unsure I get online and read - I call my sister or my uncle (who are practicing Jews) when I need to as well. I read the bible.

I will honestly not be teaching my children about other religions at this point in their lives. Chelsey at 16.5 has approached me about what Pagans and Wiccans believe since she's befriended a few girls who are pagan and wiccan and she and I have read online, searched some posts here etc so that she can have some info. She talks to them about their beliefs.

I dunno. am rambling.

I am teaching my kids my beliefs because I think they are true and right. If I were to teach them something else, IMO, I would be teaching them a lie. Does that make sense? I will share information with my kids about other faiths and religions so they will have an understanding of them and their tenents, but it will be in the context of our beliefs.

:ditto: Barb, I think i almost always agree with your views on church and faith.

We like to give our child some structure to a belief system. We also want her to know that while our belief system is important, we want her to respect other people and what they believe in. It is very important to us that dd be a part of what we believe and practice.

I agree with Barb. At my kids' ages (5 and 3), we talk about what we believe. When they are older, I'll definitely teach them ABOUT what others believe, but that those beliefs are not what WE believe. If that makes any sense. At their tender ages right now, though, our own beliefs can be "confusing" enough (confusing is not the right word...), so I don't want to introduce others as well at this time.

We talk a lot about the world, different beliefs, how each of us views things.
Interestingly enough....from the time they could speak, our kids have felt quite strong in their beliefs of how things must work or be.
They are free to express what is on their minds about the order of the universe and they come up with some compelling, awesome thoughts to share which challenge us to change our own concepts of it all (does that make sense?!)

My oldest is 16 now and very comfortable in various religious worlds. I am super proud of him.

If you feel confidant in your own skin, live your beliefs and let your children feel free to ask questions, it all comes together.

I have very mixed feelings on this subject. I was brought up to believe in equality and respect. I remember the day I found out racism actually did exist. I was crushed. I was brought up to believe in interdepence and no borders. We marveled continually at the beauty of our earth. We worked the soil with our bare hands. We sailed in the ocean and snorkeled in the Bahamas. We ate fish head soup and often walked miles so we did not pollute the earth. I have no regrets about all that - it was beautiful and pure.

I was not brought up to have faith. I did go to Church on occasion with friends. I was taught about the philosophies of various religions and respected them. But I never believed in them. My mother is an athiest but she wishes now she was not. She is 63 and wishes she could have faith. She sees her dh and the faith he has and the great comfort and peace it gives him. Her faith used to be in humanity, but I think that has worn itself down through various experiences.

I cannot imagine actually following the teachings of a church. I don't want to either.

BUT can faith be realized at will later? People who seem to have the ability to have faith, were brought up in it. It was instilled in them. I don't know if that is good or not, but as adults they can choose to have faith or not. I cannot choose. It would be like following a comic book religion to me.

As a third generation athiest, could I possibly pretend to follow a religion in order to give that to my kids? I cannot be hyprocritical.

In my humble opinion, teaching your kids what you believe in, whatever it is, is better than not teaching them to have faith in anything.

But perhaps if my parents had chosen otherwise, I would be resentful and angry.

I will never know....

Thanks for the replies! Some interesting things to think about.

Jen, what you say is really interesting to me. I consider myself to have a Faith, yet it is not the one I was raised in, nor is it any one specific spirituality. But, I have recieved strong signs from the Higher Power that give me faith that my path is the right one for me.

I have been surprised to find that when I talk about things like this with my girls, they often tend to agree with Native American spirituality more than anything else. So, we have ended up reading more about that and have been to several NA ceremonies and celebrations.

This is all very interesting and has given me a lot to think about.....

Well, we teach our children what we believe, but what we believe is sort of up in the air. At my dd's age (4), she knows that we believe that their is a God, though we do not specify gender, and that God had a son, Jesus, that was a really cool guy and said some cool stuff about how to be nice to other people. Also, God's creations (though we teach evolution - as basic as one can teach the concept to a 4 year old) are pretty cool such as the beautiful sunrise and sunset, the rain that gives Mother Earth a nice cool drink, the power in the trees, etc. Basic, simple stuff for a 4 year old.

It will get much much harder when she is old enough to delve into actual religious tradition. DH is Catholic and we mostly attend mass. Just this past year I toyed, again, with the concept of joining, but came to (after a year of study) to the very firm decision that I will never join. I will go, I will participate, I will support, but I am not, nor ever will be, Catholic. I believe that in my heart I am most like the UU church. So, obviously my beliefs are different than my dh's.

My guess is that we will continue to attend the catholic services until the kiddos start asking their own questions, then I will share the differences in my beliefs and their father's beliefs and ask them what they think that they believe.

I do want them to attend some church service regularly, but if they want to pick something different, rock on (shoot, I might love it if they did). If they want to explore, I'll explore with them, but the deal is that they have to attend something and they have to learn the basic beliefs of our family, which are:

treat others as you would be treated
treat others as if they were the face of God
treat the earth as the gift that it is from God
be grateful for all your gifts
know that you are special and precious

The rest is up for grabs.

I was raised in tha faith that I still believe in very strongly. It was not a big deal for my parents, it was a way of life. We almost never talked about it because there was no reason to. My family and I talk about this a lot - it is also a part of our lives, but we meet many, many more poeple who do not agree or of differing beliefs who try to challenge us. We talk about this in the context of my husband's and my political beliefs, our daily decisions, our schedules, etc. My son tried atheism as a teen. He is back to our church now. We didn't pressure him, we just said that he could believe what he wanted. I have custody of my nephew, who doesn't know what to believe. He can believe what he wants, but he can never say that no one told him about Christianity.

While I follow more of an Earth Based broad spirituality.. I teach Taya and have since birth all forms of religon and spiritual paths. I had such a struggle with my own from being brainwashed from an early age and it was very detrimental to my mental and spiritual being for years. We attend a very laid back christian based study group (where I am the only 'pagan' in attendence BUT very well accepted and they seems to appreciate my feedback as I do not have issues with the concepts of learning and they know that is why I am there..though of course a few of my close friends do try and 'convert' me in a nice way :D I do not think this situation would work for everyone..but I am lucky to have a very close friend who is also the pastor and her wife is one of my best friends..so the whole church are my friends and were my firends prior to my attendence. I also teach her solitary ritual, group rituals, and nature magic and appreciation at home. She has books from most every path and I encourage her to answer her own questiosn thru research of books, asking questions, and her own heart/intuition. She is of the mindset that belief and faith is what makes something real..whether it be a deity or a pixie. She believes healing comes thru believe/faith and common sense. I think she has a good foundation. She considers herself spiritual but does not label herself and I think that is a great way to be. Leaves room to grow without underlying expectations or feelings of being heldback or 'betraying' your preivous belief system. So she knows the basics of christianity, wicca, paganism, judism, muslim faith, buddism, taoism, Earth Medicine, Medicine Wheel principles, faerie faith, and a few others... I would love more info and will look into such from hindu and krisna faiths.

Jeni has the most handsome sons! :)

One thing I feel inclined to share is that the daughter of a famous pagan herbalist said that she wishes she had been raised in a "faith". She feels like part of her life has a hole in it.

I must say I was utterly shocked to hear her say that and it really made me feel better that I give my children some foundational direction on what we beleive. (christianity) but I tend to embrace some earth and native traditions as well.
I just keep asking God to help me understand what I need to in my spiritual life and share the things I embrace as truth with my children.

JOne thing I feel inclined to share is that the daughter of a famous pagan herbalist said that she wishes she had been raised in a "faith". She feels like part of her life has a hole in it.

I must say I was utterly shocked to hear her say that and it really made me feel better that I give my children some foundational direction on what we beleive. (christianity) but I tend to embrace some earth and native traditions as well.
I just keep asking God to help me understand what I need to in my spiritual life and share the things I embrace as truth with my children.

In principle, I agree that we should give children some structure, e.g., teaching what we believe. The difficulty for me is that my beliefs no longer fit the religion I grew up with nor any other "whole" belief system. I am hopeful that God will lead us to the right church/religion/practice. In the meantime, I too ask God to guide me as I guide my children and to give me and them what we each need.

I consider raising my children in my belief system as important as any other facet of my parenting. How could I teach them English and Math and Science and not Faith? It doesn't make sense to me.

Also, as other have touched upon, my own observation of people who were raised without a faith (or even without a specific lack of faith) is that they have all struggled mightily to fill the hole they experienced. My husband and all my cousins were raised with this laissez-faire attitude toward religion, and they have all suffered for it. My husband is the only one to not fall into an "I will tell you what to believe" sort of church (this is the kind I loathe), and he fell into my denomination with startling quickness.

Whatever your belief in a Creator, you should pass it on to your children. They will be better for it in the long run, even if they do wind up with a different belief.

Wow, so many good answers here!

I was raised Catholic, it was a part of my life....Church and my faith weren't separate from the rest of my life and they aren't for my 7-year old, either. It all is part of our lives. We worship on certain days (Sundays and Holy Days), of course, but we also pray together daily and we have many discussions about God and the world and about trusting in Him.

I do, of course, believe in my Church and pray that my son will continue his growth through the Church throughout his lifetime.

Jeni has the most handsome sons!

Thanks KristaRae! A different son was standing behind me and read what you posted. He said, "What? Did you post a picture of me?:D " Silly boys!:)

I grew up Catholic and after much searching am quite happily pagan.

We talk about different beliefs with the children, along with what mommy believes and what Daddy believes and how asking questions and figuring out what's right for YOU is the best thing to do.. and that it's okay if it's the same as someone else or different.

Mommy believes in Spirit/Goddess - that there is something special in everything living and that in people it's called your spirit or your soul. I believe that we should be greatful for everything that grows, and to take the time to appreciate it. I believe in the power of the moon.. and the sun.. and the importance of the seasons of the year. I believe a lot more, of course, but I'm tired, and it's hard to put things simply at the moment.

With the children, I celebrate the solstices and equinoxes.. we leave offerings to the trees and the fairies.. we have ceremonial fires.. we dance and we drum, and we sing and we share our thoughts and feelings with each other.. they each have an altar box with supplies.. and they call in the elements with songs.

Personally, I'm very much into the celtic... Lindsey is drawn toward the egyptian.. and Josh leans toward native american. it's all good. :)

Their Daddy is an atheist.. and that's okay too. He doesn't believe in a higher power, but he does believe in karma - and he teaches them to do things like ask a pony's permission before going for a ride.. and thanking the pony when they're finished.

Realistically though, I teach them about the wheel of the year, and we celebrate it as it turns.. and I give them the tools to explore their interest, whether it's talking to others with certain beliefs that they're interested in, or reading stories or whatever. I ask an awful lot of "what do you think" as well.

For me respecting others' beliefs is important, teaching children that idea is is something I value.
How frightening to have another Hitler who thinks his way is the only right way.
:(

For me respecting others' beliefs is important, teaching children that idea is is something I value.
How frightening to have another Hitler who thinks his way is the only right way.
:(

I think you can disagree with someone and still respect their beliefs. When my kids ask questions about other religions, I tell them (to the best of my knowledge) why others believe that and why our faith doesn't share that belief (if that's the case). However, I always tell them that even if we don't agree with someone's beliefs, it is ultimately a matter between that person and God. We can pray for others, but it is not our job to convince them we are right.

I think you can disagree with someone and still respect their beliefs. When my kids ask questions about other religions, I tell them (to the best of my knowledge) why others believe that and why our faith doesn't share that belief (if that's the case). However, I always tell them that even if we don't agree with someone's beliefs, it is ultimately a matter between that person and God. We can pray for others, but it is not our job to convince them we are right.
ditto

How frightening to have another Hitler who thinks his way is the only right way.

I will give this speech yet again: Hitler had nothing to do with religion. Nazi is short for National Socialist Party. Socialism is, by definition, atheistic. "Gott mit uns" on belt buckles has no more literal meaning than "In God We Trust" on our money.

The persecution of Jews in Germany and other Nazi territories was the most overt manifestation of longstanding antisemitism and was less about religion than about Jews being "other." Nazism was about German nationalism (ironic, as Hitler was Austrian). Germany, as the most powerful "evil" nation of World War One, received sole blame for that war and was dealt with quite punitively in the Treaty of Versailles.

You would have to look at the socioeconomic conditions of post WWI Germany to truly understand the rise of Hitler and the Nazis. It's more typing than I really want to get into this time of the morning (not noon here), but suffice to say religion was not the only factor, nor even the main one, for all that World War Two and the Holocaust are often blamed on Christians by those who like blaming religion for all the world's evils.

Please don't forget that Hitler went after everyone who was different. Jews, homosexuals, the mentally and physically handicapped, even Catholics.

I can not tell my dd what 'we' (as in we her and I ) believe and be comfy with it. To me that is like saying 'we' like onions..just because I do doesn't mean she does. She is a whole person.being on her own..with her own life, own mind, own experiences..and she is sure to tell ya ...NO 'we' do not like onions.. ;) So instead I tell her what I believe..but only after asking her what she thinks/believes..see if she wants to study on it..or look it up..meditate on it..or what have ya..

For me respecting others' beliefs is important, teaching children that idea is is something I value.
How frightening to have another Hitler who thinks his way is the only right way.
:(

You know someone else who thinks his way is the only right way? John 14:6 says "Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.""

We are raising our children in our faith - Bible believing, born-again Christians. My DH is a pastor and we'd be pretty remiss if we WEREN'T teaching them our beliefs! LOL!! We talk about other beliefs and measure them against what Scripture says - and the kids come to their own conclusions. It's been pretty neat watching my teens really grow in the Lord and take the faith as their own - and I pray the same for the little ones.

Ann

just as those who feel they were missing something in their life, because of the lack of faith growing up-I feel like I was never given a chance to believe otherwise, and I was angry for a long time. I was raised in a Christian home, and as I got older I became angry that I was taught what my parents believed, and never given a chance to see if it was truly what *I* believed. Now, I would bet that if you asked my parents they would say they were open and honest about other religions-and that's true...but because I was dragged to church since an infant I never felt like I had a choice. Neither of my parents sat me down and told me it was ok to believe something else. As my questions burned me from the inside out, I continued to go to church because I knew my parents truly thought their beliefs were right and good-and I didn't want to disappoint them.

I don't raise my children in with any particular belief system. They ask questions and I answer them, always saying at the end "how do you feel about those beliefs? does it interest you?" I do this, because while discussing Buddhism once my son said "hey, that all makes sense to me! can I be a Buddhist?" I want to give my kids faith-faith in their own ability to chose a religious path of their own.

I've got 2 firm Buddhists, one strong Christian, one on the fence and two who are too young to have those discussions yet. So far, so good IMO.

I can not tell my dd what 'we' (as in we her and I ) believe and be comfy with it. To me that is like saying 'we' like onions..just because I do doesn't mean she does. She is a whole person.being on her own..with her own life, own mind, own experiences..and she is sure to tell ya ...NO 'we' do not like onions.. ;) So instead I tell her what I believe..but only after asking her what she thinks/believes..see if she wants to study on it..or look it up..meditate on it..or what have ya..

yeah-that >high five<

I think you can disagree with someone and still respect their beliefs.


Right but a lot of people are not like you, they do not respect others beliefs if they disagree.

yeah-that >high five<


Thanks.. I am glad someone can agree and relate.. I even at times , like when we are doing religous studies homework competely keep my belief, answer, or opnion to myself until she has already made hers. I know that when I was a child I did what I was expected and what pelased my parents even to my own detriment and I do not want Taya to ever feel like she has to give the answer 'mama wants to hear' or will not cause conflict. I think though now she is pretty sure in herself and us as a family that she is not going to get conflict over her belief or thoughts on something. Even if we disagree (and we all do on some things) we keep it to a fun debate of showing the other why or getting more specific in our whys and such..and when it all gets broke down..we are usually all saying close tot he same thing..just in different words. ykwim?
HT,
Lisa/Pixie

Like someone else said, our faith is grounded in our lifestyle; it's not separate. We don't have a 'real' life and then a 'religious belief'. It's all intermingled. We do teach our children to respect all people regardless of their beliefs, and we don't teach hate or anything like that. But we do practice Christianity in all aspects of our lives.

We like to give our child some structure to a belief system. We also want her to know that while our belief system is important, we want her to respect other people and what they believe in.


That is where I have come. My husband remains agnostic. I follow Jesus but have many issues with many organized Churches that keeps me from strongly affiliating with any. (I do watch Dr. Stanley every Sunday for my "church" and love that show)

I am teaching my youngest son. He does not remember the painful events in our family when we left one particular religion, and for that I am thankful.

Our going-on-seventeen year old son is very bitter due to the past that I mentioned above. While I was trying to get my head straight regarding religion (which took nearly a decade), he was not raised with any kind of belief system and I now see how this was not good. He has nothing to hold onto as far as spiritual belief and I see him as "freefalling" in a way. He is not interested in religion at all. I pray for him and hope he will find peace and his way as an adult. I feel a horrible sense of responsibility for what has happened to him because of my own seeking and what our family went through years ago.

Our daughter who is going-on-fourteen is somewhat like our oldest son but not to that extent because she has limited memories of the painful/bitter situation. (for which I am thankful) However, she is old enough to have been affected by not having a belief system. She is interested in being baptized and I am trying to slowly teach her by my example.

Our younger daughter is more open but is old enough to have also been affected by not having a faith structure for most of her life. (at least what she remembers) She is eleven years old. She is also interested in being baptized.

Our youngest son is the one who is being raised with a belief system. I am teaching him mine. He wants to be baptized this summer.

Maybe my daughters desire for baptism shows that they are learning.....however, I am not able to teach them as actively as I do with our youngest. (he just turned seven and has been learning my beliefs for over a year now) I do not want to force them at all, in light of our past experiences. I pray a lot for them and try to teach by example and I do share with them why I see things the way I do in a context that is based on Jesus.

I hope that made some sense, but realize it probably only makes sense to me!

(we have another son but he is severely mentally handicapped and does not understand any of this stuff)

I am very reluctant (due to past experiences) to become very involved with a church. I tithe part of my tithing to a local Anglican church and that is where the children will be baptized. (I also tithe to other ministries and groups that I believe are doing good) However, I think in many ways the children are better off learning of Jesus from the Bible alone. (as opposed to a sunday school teachers personal spin on things....or a pastors....that did not go well for our family in the past, that is for sure!!!!!)

A local LOGOS program is going to start this fall and I am going to consider having the children attend. (my oldest son won't go but I am going to invite him) It will be run by a couple local churches that I have had some experience with and they are not radical in their views and seem to stick to general subjects of God, Jesus, and faith and helping/serving.

So....yeah, I tried to be open about religion and let them (my children) find their way (as I was flounding to find my way!!).....and that sounds great here in a discussion. It sounds all "enlightened" and PC and all that. However, I have a son who is nearly grown who is all the proof I need to say that I think this was not a good idea. (and also my other older girls to a lesser extent)

I believe that children can be raised with faith and a strong, dynamic relationship with God that is personal and yet also open to their own growth and experience. I see that in our youngest son. Walking and trusting in God.....well, He won't lead a person into any direction that is bad for them. (but organized religions can and sometimes do!!!)

Anyway, that is my long response on this topic.

I am grateful that God kept on tugging on me and did not give up on me. I came to seek Him on my own after reaching utter spiritual bottom and realizing I could not do things on my own. I came to where I am through Bible study, prayer, and meditation on my own, with a little bit of guidance...which I compared against the Bible and my own prayer. (I won't ever again just take some church or so-called spiritual leaders teachings w/out comparing it myself) I feel that Jesus is indeed my Lord and am grateful that I found where I belong, even though I am pushing 40 years old! I regret all the lost time in my life. But I know God has taken my life from where it was and is creating wonderful things!!! I have seen and had experiences over the past year that testify to this and show me that I am right on for where I need to be. :) :) For that I am so happy and so grateful.

It is also because of my own life and where I stand that I do pray and hope my older children will find the peace that I have found. However, they have to seek God....you can't just gain it in attending church every Sunday. It must be personal. We as parents can guide and lead....but ultimately it is up to each individual child and God.

If I could, I'd have raised them in my belief system....but life did not work out that way for most of our children. (except for our youngest)

However, that is what I would advise a young parent. Give them the structure to build their faith on. But also teach about others beliefs. Jesus is the example in how to treat other people, IMHO.

I do wish my husband shared my beliefs....but I believe God will deal with him in His own time just like He did with me.

Whew!!!

Michelle

My son is being encouraged to explore spirituality/religion, any and all of them, and find what works for him. All the while I'm teaching him what I believe as a Pagan and Cunning Woman, and exposing him to those beliefs/practices first hand. For me/us, this works well.

My children are being taught to find their own paths and not just follow mine because it's what I do. I was raised with the "I'm ________ so you have to be that too" mentality and personally I think it sucks. It did far more damage than just telling me about her religion and letting me figure things out could have done.

I'm teaching my kids about ALL religions and yes, I do mean ALL (okay so as many as I can find and cover). We are learning the basics of each of them and if any of the children develop an interest in one then they will be allowed to consider it further.

Right now my oldest son is pretty much athiest, my daughter is attending a UU church with a friend, I'm leaning more towards Buddhism the older I get, my husband is pretty much Agnostic or "Just Don't Care" (LOL), and Aidan is definately a rotten little heathen a good part of the time (meant as a joke). :D

It works for us, no we don't have any problems with morals thank you, no we're not going to Hell, and no I'm not worried about our souls.

LOL

This is a really interesting topic with a lot of good responses, so I though I'd add my two cents.

We attend an extremely liberal Unitarian church. What I am striving to teach my child is not really a belief system, but the important of incorporating spirituality into their lives, whatever that spirituality may be. I'm teaching them that they need to feed their soul as well as their bodies, even if the food they choose isn't the same one I would. I am teaching them what I believe personally, I practice my beliefs openly and with joy in front of them, but I respect it if they don't resonate with them. I'm trying to teach them that god is so big and vast that it's okay to worship in whatever way feels right in their hearts. Our morals are guided by the seven principals of Unitarian Universalism, but they're guidelines, not tenants of faith.

To that end, I have a very ecelectic belief system that can't really be defined, and my 9 year old daughter is a pagan who is participating in rituals that concentrate on the aspects of the goddess Tara. She attends with close friends of mine and I occasionally participate as well. She goes to a weekly ritual that incorporates dance as a form of meditation and worship.

At the core, I hope to teach my kids that it's important to live a life guided by your relationship to the divine, whatever way that relationship may manifest itself.

This is an important topic for our family because we don't all believe the same things. Because we belong to a church that encourages individuals to pursue their own spiritual path, I feel comfortable supporting that journey for our son.

We've told him what we each believe, and told him that his beliefs will probably develop over time and might even change as he grows up. What is most important to me is that he keeps a healthy connection to his own spiritual self, and that he pays attention to his own role in the world and his relationships with others, as he grows up. I like that we have an open door to these conversations, and that he never feels pressured or concerned about raising questions about spiritual or religious issues. I know that when I was growing up in a different religion, I never felt comfortable asking questions about my religion.

Tara