Religion in Family

I was raised in a very culturally diverse family and I wouldn't change it for the world.
This is how we pray. This is how Grandma prays. This is how our neighbors next door pray.
Exposing children to things like that is a beautiful thing.
In my opinion.
When I was a little girl, I had a friend who was Catholic. She went to catechism. I had no idea what any of that meant, but it sounded pretty awesome.
I did not turn Catholic by virtue of learning about her religion or how she prayed. Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee.....
As a child, I didn't delve into the depth of the meaning, but I thought it was cool.
I didn't feel confused.
There are some really good books about religious diversity.
To me...I think that kids who are exposed to different religions have more understanding and respect for differences as opposed to confusion over what is or isn't "right". It doesn't have to be presented to them as the wrong way or the right way...just a different way.

That's just my opinion.

I am an active Christian, but I have studied some Buddism and have even attended a temple. I think it is good to expose children to different beliefs and to also teach tolerance and respect for them, but you can also teach the way you prefer in your own home., and encourage your child to choose what speaks best to their heart There comes a point of conflicting messages however when 'truth claims' are made, especially if your mil really pushes the issue. If so, tell her you appreciate her want to share these things, but to please be respectful and not overstep the boundaries you have set. As your child gets older, she will eventually make her choice.

I don't think kids are confused. I am a practicing catholic but find all religions fascinating and of the mind set that as long as you have a religious conviction it can only improve the world. The fact that you are exposing your child to two very different religions is building both a "tolerance" (for lack of a better word) for all religions and giving her a broad education on various religions. If/when she has questions or wants to explore a particular faith more she will ask you.

Personally, I think you and your husband should have a discussion about this and how to speak to your in-laws. And tell them that everyone can talk to your daughter about the religion but not pray with her in this way. It's one thing to tell her about another religion it's another to put two to practice at the same time. She's five and that's just too much for her. If you want to keep your religion sacred maybe you should take her to temple more often. At the same time teaching her that it's okay that her relatives are a different religion.

I think your daughter will benefit, although if she gets messages from her Gma or from you that there is only one correct religion, she may be perplexed about that. If you keep the communication flowing, and keep your own practices consistent with your best understanding, she'll sort through to find what is meaningful for her.

My daughter was exposed to several different strains of religion growing up. She saw at home what served me well on a daily basis, and went with extended family and girlfriends to their various churches and temples. I think it worked well in the long run. Religion and meaning are not something you learn quickly; it comes together over a lifetime.

I don't think asking them to stop is a good idea. It will only confuse them and lead them to think you do not believe in the same God, etc...and then they may go into overdrive to make sure she is "christian" or something. Let your daughter know what you believe and then let her ask you, and them, questions when she has them.

It depends on how comfortable you are with their religion.
For example my husband and I are atheists. We have no intention raising our child in any religion and would neither send her to a religious school nor do we want our catholic families to pray with them.

But we have been to church for family functions on occasion (wedding, christening) and explain to my daughter as best as we can (she is 4) that all kinds of people believe different things and how what we believe differs from what they believe. We are ok with exposure, but not indoctrination.

So if your in laws are respectful of your beliefs and don't tell your child that all of you will go to hell because you are a Buddhist and if you are prepared to simply answer your child questions about different beliefs, then I think she will be just fine.

Hi, P.:
She will not get confused. She's a child. Did you not
know that your husband's parents went to church when
you married him? You have married into a family. They accepted
you having a religious belief that was different from theirs.
Religion is a ritual when in public.
Spirituality is how the person practices his/her
beliefs such as tolerance, forgiveness, acceptance, etc.
All religious practices teach us to love ourselves and
to love others. Love is the basic premise for
all religions. Some institutions go about
the teachings in a different format but it all
remains the same.
Hope this helps.
Good luck.
D.

Kids are smarter than you think.... Sure she M. become confused but if that is the case I am sure she will ask about it...

I think it's good for kids to be knowledgeable about different religions, and especially to be respectful of other people's beliefs. However, your in-laws do not seem to respect your religion and may even be trying to undermine the way you are trying to raise your daughter. This is not acceptable.

It would be best to explain to her that people believe different things. Even if you (and she) do not agree with their points of view, she should always be respectful.

And then I would ask my in-laws to please stop indoctrinating my daughter. But perhaps find a kinder, more diplomatic way to say it.

i think that if the grandparents go against what the parents of the child have clearly stated, then thats a problem.actually, its a power struggle that the grandparents clearly expect to win, bad ideal on their part,
going on the assumption that the parents are the main caregivers of the child, not the grandparents. the best thing to do is to state to the grandparents that I am the childs parent, and while i respect your personal decisions to follow whatever religion you want, i do ask that you respect my decision AS HER MOTHER, to raise her in the religion that i choose, when she is older, she can choose whatever religion she wants to follow.
K. h.

I would have a big issue with anyone instructing my child in a different religion without discussing it with me. That is a private parental decision, and should not be happening.

But tha tis a TOTALLY different issue from whether I think kids will be confuesed. I think anything we can do to teach our kids and encourage spirituality and prayer is not bad. I don't believe kids get confused. Yes, they may have questions and wonder why different people believe and practice differently. But difference encourages intellectual discussion and critical thinking. My family is Catholic on both sides. But I WISH we had more opportunities to go to places of worship that are different. And I wish I could tell her more about Buddism and HInduism and Islam and Judaism...

So no, I don't think it is confusing. Teach her what you believe. Set expectations for your family in terms of where and when you worship. But definately let her experience other ways to worship, as long as she is comfortable with it and you have given your permission.