I just want to start by saying that I dont judge anyone by their spiritual beliefs - it if it works for you and makes you happy, go for it - who am I to criticize? I am a pagan and have a collection of beliefs from around the world and I hope nobody would judge me for it either - nor feel sorry for me.
I celebrate all holidays as the other kids in school do, because I don't want my child to feel left behind. I cant be happy forcing or forbidding things that other kids do. If my daughter is not happy - I am not either.
Now, on to the topic that I wanted to share :-)
My older daughter who is 7 years old now has gone to the Jehovah's Witness Kingdom Hall with her auntie and grandma. I don't mind. To me, the backbone of any religion and belief is love. I have always told my daughter not to believe everything she hears. Question everything. Seek answers. And seek them everywhere - not just in one book or in one school of thought. She understands that and she always has something to say.
Yesterday she came back from a sleep over (and a Kingdom Hall outing) a little bit upset. I asked her to talk to me and tell me what is bothering her. She started talking and, oh boy, did I hear a lot!
"Mom, they told me that we shouldn't celebrate Christmas. Why not? They said that Santa is bad, that he is evil. Why do they hate Santa? They talk that we should love everyone and here they don't. They don't love everyone, mom. They HATE Santa...Santa is not evil - they are! How can they hate? Oh...oh...and you know what? They also said that Halloween is evil. That Halloween is from the Devil....how can it be from the Devil? The Devil doesn't exist! Momma, I told you I don't want to go to those churches, then I will have all these church stuff in my head!" (I don't know how to explain to her the difference between a Kingdom Hall and a Church).
And I just sat there and listened, listened, listened....it was not like she was asking me questions - she
was venting. Didn't know what to say. Finally I just uttered:
"Well, you know Mia, they have their own things they believe in. You don't have to if you don't like it, you know that
right? You don't have to worry, we will still celebrate Christmas and Halloween and Santa will be here for you.".
To me it was a pleasant shock to hear her think like that. I thought that at her age she would believe everything she hears as the truth. I just want to say how happy I was to see my daughter brainstorming.
5 comments:
that is a great news!
Your daughter sounds like a discerning young lady :)
I like that you have an open mind toward belief systems.
Thanks girls :-) I am trying, you know....I was not indoctrinated while I was growing up and I dont want to place my child in a box either, you know
awesome! What a smart cookie! I try to teach mine the same things...they have one religous & one non (me) parent...it balances well & they too ask & decide for themselves...but above all - accept all :)
I enter on your blog searchingh more about your delightful fragances, and found too a lot of intelligence here, now I love more!.
If your daughter is so discerning is sure due to your good criteria
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