When I babysit a 7 year old, before I put him to bed he always asks me to say a prayer with him but Im atheist

Question

I got him to say his bedtime prayer the 2 times before and he made me promise to say it the next time (in like 2 weeks) and he'll remember that (trust me lol)- I don't know what to say or do lol any suggestions? I've never said a prayer before or anything so I'm a little lost... I don't mind saying a prayer with him if he'll shut up and go to bed haha I just am not sure what to say. Help?

You guys arnt reading I said I didn't mind saying it - it's his family's deal and his, I'm only asking how I should say a prayer lol

Answer 1

just tell the child you don't know how to pray and ask him to help you. most kids like being helpers.

Answer 2

An easy way to do this (I'm a pagan who babysits for a Catholic family) is to have either a silent prayer, bow your head and let him pray until he is done, then say amen. Or to let him lead you, do you know a prayer he likes? Or maybe he just wants a 'dear god, thank you for (blah blah) and (blurp), please watch over (so and so) because they are having a hard time with(whatever). And they really like it when you add something in that they have been asking for, like, say he has been wanting a puppy, or a pets, mention " and please help "Adam" prove he is responsible enough for a puppy, and let him show this to his parents."

Also, if you know he has had a fight with a friend, mention something about learning the value of friendship, and forgiveness.

I may not be praying to the kids god for myself, but I'm giving him an outline of things to pray for. The kid must really like you, if he is including you in his bed time rituals. Take it to heart, it doesn't mean you are saying god exists, it just means that you are open minded, and not a 'savage' as some of these ignorants have suggested.

Answer 3

Like many different human beings have replied the age is one element to think approximately. additionally, sometimes you get a youthful babysitter 13-sixteen who've handed a babysitting direction that are provided very nearly everyway who need to have the comparable cost as somebody sixteen and older. everywhere between $10 - $15. i does not advise much less or extra. additionally, if the guy babysitting has performed this in the previous ask them what their "familiar" going cost is. i might implement the "familiar" via fact in the event that they arrive back with $25 an hour and you're going out to dinner and a movie you're spending extra on babysitting then your comfortable night out, except that would not worry you.

Answer 4

Dear Friend, I respect your beliefs. Just say with him "God bless everyone and everything, amen". Try reading The Disappearance Of The Universe, By Gary R. Renard. I am not trying to convert you to anything. That is not my trip. I am only offering some info you may not be aware of.

Just know that there is love and only love is real. It is called by many names. I think that it is great that even though you don't share the child's belief you are willing to accommodate his wishes, even if it is to get him to sleep. After all, sleep is very important,right?

You are a dear person. Good luck to you.

Answer 5

Having kids myself, you are right in the fact that he will not forget, lol.

You can probably base your prayer off of the prayer he has been saying. .. a child's prayers are most often the simplest prayers and probably the most meaningful because their faith has not been tested.

You could always recite the Lord's Prayer. . or the Now I lay me down to sleep.

If you are completely uncomfortable with saying a prayer, which the way you sound you aren't, you could always just encourage him to say it because you like the way he prays. Good luck with him and if it gets him in the bed it will be worth it. :)

Answer 6

Even if it goes against your beliefs you should do it for the sake of not going against the grain of the moral eduction he is receiving at home.

Just ask him to lead and you can repeat. Let him know that you only pray by having a little conversation with 'God' in your mind and that you were never taught to 'pray' out loud. If not just take a nursery rhyme like Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star and make it sound like it is a prayer by changing some of the words: Just get creative and make the little bastard think you are the religious 'bomb'! You'll have him eating out of your hand.

Answer 7

For a 7 year-old, it would be a short, simple prayer: "thank you for mommy and daddy" (or something to that effect)--most little kids' prayers are mostly "thank you" prayers, so ask him what he wants to thank God for tonight (if he needs some help getting started). He might want to thank God for little things, the things that are important to little kids, like his best friend, his toys, etc. Then ask him if there's anything special he wants to ask God's help with: that he makes a good grade on his spelling homework, that his best friend who's sick gets better fast, etc. Prayers (for Xians) usually end with "In Jesus' name, Amen."

When I was 7, a bedtime prayer for me might have gone something like, "Dear God, thank you for my cat and my hamster and my family. Please help my little sister not to get in trouble anymore, and help me not be afraid of the dark. In Jesus' name, Amen." Short and simple.

I'm an agnostic now, so I can appreciate your dillemma. Good luck! :)

Answer 8

HERE IS A SHORT PRAYER.
M't:6:9: After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
M't:6:10: Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
M't:6:11: Give us this day our daily bread.
M't:6:12: And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
M't:6:13: And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
I HOPE THIS WILL HELP YOU.

Answer 9

How Sweet Of The 7 Yr Old

Answer 10

I guess you are left with 2 options....pray or tell the child the truth....Is it that you dont want to pray? or dont know how? I would never have allowed the child to make me promise to do something that I didnt want to do, in the first place.... altho if you need some help, I can offer you some advice & I hope that it helps.....Talking with God is no different than talking with a person- except God already know what you are going to say... He's just waiting to hear it out of your mouth... Good Luck!

Answer 11

Scare him by telling him that Santa, the Easter Bunny and Jesus all do not exist! Perhaps he should rather learn that the world is a diverse place with a lot of different views and he should not be brainwashed at such an early age into thinking he can impose these things on others. I am sure this is just innocent though. Perhaps broaden his view of the world a bit tell him great mythological stories and about scientific discovery. About dinosaurs and the vastness of the universe.