my son is 13 yrs old and he doesnt like to go to church with me should i make him go or would that make him not like it even less?
2006-06-11 11:44:08 · 15 answers · asked by Anonymous in Family & Relationships ➔ Other - Family & Relationships
PLEASE DO NOT MAKE HIM GO. He WILL resent it, and you.
2006-06-11 11:48:02 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Bible tells us to train a child in the way that they should go and when they are old they will not depart from it. The child may resent it at the age they are at, they may go through some rebellion, but it is an important responsibility of a parent to lead their children to the Lord and on the right path. Even if you don't succeed at this time, you are planting the seeds and they will remember. Keep praying and never give up on your children. You are their best advocate.
Now, there are other things you can do to make this less painful. If your church does not have a good youth program then you might consider finding one for him. There are wonderful churches with active youth programs and that can make a tremendous difference in the entire experience. A good youth pastor can be an amazing role model and reach youth in a way that perhaps some others cannot. Some people are just gifted with young people. It is important, ESPECIALLY in this world as it is now with the pressures that youth face, that they have their faith to fall back on in a time of crisis or in a time of confusion.
Many children are turned off by hypocrisy also. Make sure to practice what you preach. Kids are impressionable and they do watch what you do as well as what you say. Lead by example.
"As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." Everyone in our house is expected to go to church. I know sometimes it is tough and teens can really push it, but I stand outside their door and do not leave without them on those stubborn mornings. They know to get ready to go or go as they are and they know that I will not let it go.
Hope this helps. :-)
2006-06-11 19:12:25 · answer #2 · answered by ConcerndHomeowner 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are the parent. My mom made me go to church when I was young even if I didn't want to. Now I thank her. I learned morales that have stuck with me for years. Church may be boring for him, but some of it will stick in his brain throughout the rest of his life. Personally, I'd make him go no matter what he wanted. But that's me, you will never regret making him go. Good Luck....
Jen
2006-06-11 18:50:58 · answer #3 · answered by jennmil88 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Who is the parent here?
Where do people get off asking a child if they want to do something that is "good." I want to know what you are going to tell him when he goes to the dope house when he should be in school, or go to his girlfriends, or hang out all night? What will a parent like you do since you can't make him go to Church?
2006-06-11 18:49:34 · answer #4 · answered by 10-da-roni 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Instead of forcing your son and have him resent religion try showing him the value of religion. It can be a valuable guide in life and teach him that we are all learning throughout our entire life. In faith there is hope for better things. By sharing our faith we inspire others to be all God's family.
2006-06-11 18:50:39 · answer #5 · answered by mr conservative 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I say he should go until he is 18. I had to and it didn't hurt me. I didn't like the church my mom selected for us to go to either. But she gave me no choice.
It will not hurt him to go and he will not resent you for it when h e grows up.
I only resent missing out on things like, dates, dances, anything to do with the opposite sex being there I could not go.
I can tell you being raised that away made me go all sort of ape do do when I turned 18.
2006-06-11 18:50:48 · answer #6 · answered by young at heart 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try to make it fun for him somehow. Faith doesn't need to be all serious and boring, show enthusiasm and see if he can make friends there. Do any of his schoolmates go to the same church?
2006-06-11 18:51:07 · answer #7 · answered by musiclover 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
continue the family visits to church if that's what you want. Teaching him good values is not something to shy away from. when he gets older and does not want to attend, that's his choice. Right know, your the mother and he's the child !!!
2006-06-11 18:51:01 · answer #8 · answered by quiet times 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
make the little sinner go, but let him walk in ten minutes before you do and dont sit next to him, he is embarrassed enough that he goes to church much less with his mommy.
2006-06-11 18:50:15 · answer #9 · answered by thale138 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Encourage and tell him it will be fun, help it make friends with others his age by visiting a parent of a child that is his age.
2006-06-11 18:50:18 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
ask him why - maybe the church you go to bores him or maybe he isnt very religious. if hegives you a bullshit answer then yeah i say make him go, but maybe just maybe his reasoning is legitimate
2006-06-11 18:51:54 · answer #11 · answered by kizdrop 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋