Trying to control your child’s belief structure, is like trying to control what foods they like best. What’s double the fun is watching parents use fear to get their children to conform, “well if you don’t believe this way, then, ummm, you’re going to hell.” It seems to me that people who desire to control others, even their children, are people who feel the most unease within their own life. Of course this tends to be the reason they cling to such insanity, is because of their own insecurities within themselves; and by “trying” to control others, they gain a sense of control about themselves, which of course is an obvious illusion.
You know what contributes to children being the beautiful creations they are, is their ability to release ideas and beliefs and move freely with creativity; allowing them to overcome fear and make new discoveries by not being bound by one ideology. So stop it. Stop trying to plan your child’s eternal life when you don’t even have a grasp on your own life now. To defend your belief so strongly, is only to prove you have no faith. Stop shoving your beliefs down your child’s throat and think about the possibility that they are here to teach you, not the other way around. Guide your children, by allowing them to discover life freely, and safely, while you watch and learn how to not forget the child within yourself.
P.s. Stick to what you know, not to what you believe.
Did you find genuine value within this post? If you did, then most likely you know someone else who will as well. I invite you to share the goodness!
Namaste -Tigmonk
Related PAW Daily Prints
Tiger Singleton
Facebook Comments
A.M. -Oregon
My kids ask questions about things, religion and politics, and I tell them what I think and why. Then I tell them that they should do research and make up their own minds.
____________
C.M. – Oregon
I would like to respectfully disagree, I think if parents dont share their beliefs, values and moral with their own children someone else will. I think that could lead to some serious unpleasantness in the home.
____________
Tiger -
Well then you wouldn’t be disagreeing with me. I never said to not share, I certainly would encourage that. My point was to not force a belief with a do or die stance.
_____________
C.M. -Oregon
I guess I dont understand what you mean by a do or die stance, what age group are you talking about? Cause you know when it comes to teens…:)
_____________
Tiger
“If you don’t agree with me, and follow my way of thinking and believing, then you will spend eternity in hell.”
That would be a do or die stance. As I rapidly find my oldest daughter approaching 13, I’m finding that giving her the freedom to believe from her heart, rather from my mind, is serving to be much more beneficial. What she appreciates most, is that I am an example in progress, not just a mouth piece.
Thanks so much for asking for clarification.
____________
C.M. -Oregon
aaahhh the fire and brimstone theology that totally ignores grace and forgiveness! I am sorry you have encountered that. I want my 15,12 and 8 yr. olds, to know what they believe and why they believe. I also want them to know the importance of listening in conversation. I hope I am a good example. Being human and imperfect I know I sometimes fall short.