It was one of those seemingly endless drives to visit my parents, you know, the kind that stretches on for five hours with multiple bathroom breaks, an urgent “I need to poop, Mom!” moment, a coffee run for me, and a stop for a Happy Meal. When I say it felt long, I mean it in every possible way.
My 8-year-old, Jake, has a knack for diving into deep philosophical discussions—especially when he senses I might not have the answers. So, on this particular trip, our conversation took a spiritual turn.
Religion has always been a complex subject for me. I’m spiritual, but not religious in the traditional sense. When Jake turned the conversation to God, I was left momentarily speechless—or perhaps just unsure of how to respond.
“Mom, was God a human on this earth? Was he right here?” he asked, gesturing to the car seat next to him. “Or over there?” he pointed at a field outside. “How did he die? Where did he go? Was he always invisible or just now?”
Oh great, I thought. This is one of those critical moments he’ll remember for years, probably bringing it up in therapy one day to highlight my lack of knowledge about faith and spirituality.
“Well,” I started, “that’s a tough question. I think Jesus was human, but… wait, is that right? I could pull over and Google this if it’s important to you. You look a bit confused. Am I confusing you? Oh no, I hope I didn’t offend you.”
At that moment, my toddler piped up, announcing he needed to use the restroom. Suddenly, I found myself in a Porta Potty at a California gas station, standing awkwardly to give my son privacy while trying to figure out how to navigate this religious quandary.
How was I supposed to tackle this subject? I realized I would have to admit that I didn’t have a religious upbringing. When I did attend services, my mind was often preoccupied with thoughts about what to order for dinner afterward. I had no role models who practiced faith regularly, and I didn’t want to undermine Jake’s curiosity, but I was starting to panic. By the time my toddler finished, I felt the need to confess everything.
As we walked back to the car, Jake caught my eye and asked, “Mom, can you just get me that Bible you mentioned?”
Oh wow, I had completely forgotten I brought up the Bible during our previous conversation about God. “Absolutely!” I exclaimed, excitement bubbling over. “What a wonderful idea! I’ll get you a Bible!”
“Can we get it today?” he pressed.
“Not today, but definitely soon, like in two days,” I replied.
“Oh, you’re ordering it off Amazon, right?”
Jake knows me too well.
Once we returned from our trip, I immediately ordered a children’s Bible. The joy on Jake’s face as he browsed the options was contagious. We settled on one with excellent reviews and beautiful illustrations, and that moment triggered a realization in me.
I had always wished my family could have answered my questions about faith and existence when I was a child. I often longed for someone to share knowledge with me instead of dismissing my inquiries or projecting their own skepticism onto me.
This desire to provide Jake with that knowledge made sense, especially since he had asked about God before. I imagined the possibilities of where this book could lead him. Perhaps he would want to teach me about the stories, attend church, engage with the community, or even consider a path as a pastor someday.
While I may not be religious, I wholeheartedly support my children’s exploration of spirituality. I want them to grow into their true selves, embracing their quests for understanding, and I’ll always be here to encourage their inquiries, because those small requests they make often have the power to shape their lives.
For more insights on navigating parenting and spirituality, check out our other blog post on Couples’ Fertility Journey for Intracervical Insemination. Additionally, for those curious about late menstruation and related topics, this resource is quite informative. And for an excellent resource on pregnancy, visit CDC’s pregnancy page.
In summary, even though I’m not religious, I believe in supporting my children’s spiritual journeys. I want to nurture their curiosity and help them find their own paths, no matter where that may lead.