V impressed with DH and his explanation to my 4yo Godaughter!

[essenceofSES]

Last night I was out when my friend phoned as her 4yo DD (my godaughter) had been in tears for 45mins as she'd been looking at the children's Bible I gave her and realised that baby Jesus in the Christmas story died.

DH explained to her that we also celebrate Easter when - although Jesus dies - 3 days later he comes back to life and then goes to be with his Father in heaven.

She was also upset by the concept that Jesus is everywhere. She was worried by the fact that Jesus could get through locked doors.
DH explained this one by saying it was like a feeling, in the same way that her parents love her and that is always there around her.

I'm really impressed as although I'm supposedly "the religious one", I don't think I'd have been able to think on the spot and explain so easily.

Thought I'd share incase it helps anyone else and also as I'm v proud of DH!!

This is great - will use that with my dd. At the moment, she seems to think he's in her stomach and so she prays to her belly button!

First time I noticed the duck. Just had to use it, sorry...
Well done essenceofDH.
I will use it with dd too. She has started getting interested in all things religious. Much to dMIL's delight....

It's amazing what they come out with. She sounds like a little philosopher sometimes!

sweetgrapes - I think is actually meant to be a biscuit! After biscuitgate with Gordon Brown I think. I agree though it looks like a duck or a chick!

Do you think that it would be better to leave the indoctrination alone? Can your child not grow to be an adult before deciding to believe in things?

Excellent - i shall use that for my DS when he is old enough

No Mrscrockoduck - i think it is great to get kids hearing about Jesus as soon as possible. My DS (1 year old) already has to put up with me singing all my songs and telling him the Christmas story

It doesn't matter whether kids hear young - they still have to make the decision on their own.

mrscrocoduck - it's probably for the individual parents to make that decision but in this case my god daughter asked the questions. How would you have answered?

I wouldn't have given her a bible for starters.

If she'd asked despite that I would have said that Jesus is the main character in a fairytale and as such need not be cried over. Then I would give her a cuddle and a kiss.

If she then said, but Jesus is everywhere all the time, I would ask her where she was getting her information. If it's a book I would point out its fictitious nature again. If its a person I would ask them to stop filling my marvellous child's head with superstitious infantile nonsense.

I would firmly and lovingly remind her that some people make up stories because it makes them happier, but that she should try to live her life with her eyes open and her heart full of the wonder of her brief and amazing existence.

mrscrocoduck - we clearly have v different beliefs!
I don't believe that many people think that Jesus is a character in a fairy tale. Even the majority of non-christians accept that there was a man called Jesus who existed.

I completely agree however with "she should try to live her life with her eyes open and her heart full of the wonder of her brief and amazing existence"

Life is a precious miracle that we should be grateful for and make the most of!

mrscrocoduck, I think you have wandered into the wrong thread. Why would a Christian, which the OP evidently is, say such preposterous things to a child asking these questions?

The child in question is the OP's goddaughter so, presumably, she and her parents are Christian, too, so the gift of a bible is perfectly appropriate.

Everyone teaches their children what they believe to be true. That holds whether it is "fire will burn you"; "not washing your hands before eating will make you sick"; "all people are equal"; or "Jesus died for our sins". People only refer to indoctrination in this sort of context when they mean "something that I don't believe".