My daughter is an atheist. How can I help her change?

Question

she's 13, and is becoming a little wild.

I'm not the greatest believer myself.

Answer 1

My question is, Why are you a theist? Are the reasons you have for being a theist sufficient to convince her? You have to be honest with her, and tell her your own thoughts and feelings. Don't set out to "convince" her; set out to tell your own story. That way it can be a growing experience for both of you. Listen to her questions and doubts, take them seriously, ask yourself seriously whether you have adequate responses to them. Maybe your own faith needs to grow and change as well.

Answer 2

You cannot change her decision, it may not be what you want to hear but any resistance will just make her more rebellious, she's a teenager, that's the way they are. I gave my two boys freedom to choose their own religion, which is the way I was raised. When I was 13, I had already attended Methodist, Catholic, Jehovah Witnesses, Church of Christ and gone to Temple with a Jewish friend. It took me many years to work out my beliefs, and I am blissfully a Deist. My boys chose Catholicism and even requested to go to Catholic schools, which they were allowed to do (but omg the COST was outrageous lol). They did some church-hopping themselves before choosing and my oldest had a period where he declared himself an Atheist.

Even if she remains an Atheist, as long as she is secure in who she is and is a good person, she'll be fine. If she is "getting wild" as you said it could be a passing fancy, 13 year old girls are flighty, as you well know I'm sure. I'd get the wildness under control and worry about her religious choices later, it's not as if she's into Satanism. That I might worry about...good luck and take a deep breath Mom...

Answer 3

How can you try to "change" your daughter while saying "I'm not the greatest believer myself"???? That sounds like hypocracy to me. If you are concerned about her behavior, that is a very different issue from being concerned about he beliefs. Parents need to teach by EXAMPLE. If you want to show her the benefit and truth of whatever you believe, you have to SHOW HER. But I suspect that isnt even the issue.

Answer 4

Hi Alex,
She is only 13 and at that age she is very impressionable. As she gets older she may find God and as long as you believe and use God in your life than she may change her way of thinking! The world is so screwed up right now, especially for kids, they dont know which way to go, and they will follow whatever it is that their friends are following! Give her time, and dont push her. Just let her know that you yourself believe in God and ask her how she believes we became? Try to understand where she is coming from but at the same time try to introduce her to God, but not pushing it on her. Like I said as she gets older she will more than likely find God, she will find a man that is religious and she will love him enough to convert to God. At least you can pray and hope that that will happen. I hope that I helped you out!
Blessings, Mare~

Answer 5

Why do you want to? It's her choice. If she wants to be an atheist then let her be one. My parents left the choice up to me, I became an atheist, and I turned out just fine: no drugs, no promiscuity, no criminal record. Keep her away from that stuff, and your daughter will be fine regardless of what her religious views are.

Answer 6

your daughter being an atheist has nothing to do with her being wild!your saying her behavior is bad because she doesnt believe in god?

she's a 13 year old girl-they rebel and ct out of control-YOU as her mother need to help her change her behavior,not her persoanl beliefs.she is just trying to be an individual....

Answer 7

Leave her alone. Maybe she's an athiest because she's encountered too many dogmatic folks like yourself that insist on "changing" someone. Maybe instead of concentrating on whether there's a God, maybe you can teach her, and in the process learn for yourself, to respect the beliefs of others.

Just a thought.

Answer 8

how about not letting her change.

she's growing up and setting aside childish beliefs like the Toothy Fairy, Santa Claus, and the Easter Bunny. God is just her next logical step

Answer 9

Maybe God wants that task.

God gave humans free-will, and God is patient and kind to accept her when she is ready, when she chooses. Let her come to God by choice, through her own faith, not some mechanical obedience to any human's will to submit or conform.
Let God call her to believe. Let it run its course, She may discover that other ways aren't as great as they seem, and not as great as God's love and acceptance. Sometimes the best learning is learning through trial and error, and experience. Just speak respectfully of God, love and respect your daughter, have endless patience, and give it time. Let her find her own way back when she's ready, then she'll love God with sincerity, with a whole heart, not resentment.

Answer 10

Tell her that her head goes through the big hole in the top of the shirt and her arms go through the little holes. Then instruct her that each leg should be put into the pant legs one at a time. I am assuming she knows how to undress first.