Welcome to the Home Insemination Kit advice column, where our team of experts addresses your pressing questions about parenting, relationships, and everything in between.
This week, we tackle a common dilemma: how to respond when your child expresses curiosity about religion, particularly if your family does not attend church.
Dear Home Insemination Kit,
My partner and I don’t go to church. While we’re not quite atheists, we identify more as agnostic. My partner was raised in a Catholic household, and I grew up in a Presbyterian family, though I rarely attended services. Our son is 7 years old and, despite the limited interaction with his friends this year, he knows that some of them go to church every Sunday. Recently, he asked us why we don’t go. I want to encourage his curiosity but also don’t want to make him feel like our choice is “wrong,” because it’s not. He’s also shown interest in figures like Jesus and God, and while we’ve given simple answers, I want to engage with him more deeply if he’s interested.
It’s great that your son is curious! When it comes to these Big Topics™, honesty is key. Keep your explanations straightforward, age-appropriate, and leave space for further questions. If you have any beliefs about God or spirituality, share them. You might say something like, “I believe in a higher power but prefer to express my spirituality outside of church.” Discuss how you honor your beliefs in your own way. Your partner can share their perspective too.
Since you haven’t mentioned any negative experiences with organized religion, I’ll assume it’s simply not your thing. If your son is looking for a more historical perspective, feel free to explore that too. My own daughter, who is not baptized, and I have discussed figures like Jesus and how “God” can mean different things to various people. As his questions become more specific, your answers can evolve as well.
This could lead to a fascinating discussion about world religions and their histories. Many kids don’t have a say in their family’s religious practices, but your family’s approach is different. That doesn’t mean you can’t talk about it and learn together, allowing him to develop his own views.
Right now, he might simply be curious about why his friends dress up and go somewhere every Sunday. Regardless, he’s learning!
For more information on this topic, you might find our post on different approaches to spirituality helpful. Also, if you’re interested in the IUI process, check out this authoritative resource on intracervical insemination. Additionally, the CDC provides an excellent resource for understanding pregnancy and infertility.
Search Queries:
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Summary:
In this advice column, we explore how to address a child’s curiosity about religion when a family identifies as agnostic. It emphasizes the importance of honesty and openness while providing simple, age-appropriate responses. The discussion can include personal beliefs and lead to learning about various religions. The column also suggests resources for further exploration of related topics.