Making God real in our kids lives.

The article was all right. Had some good ideas, but mostly things you could think of on your own. Of course the stories, videos, and reading scriptures together are good ways to start helping them understand basic concepts. But to really make God real in their lives, I think you have to be actively watching and sieze opportunities as they come, as well as creating learning opportunities. I think the key is to help children understand what they feel. If we just tell them the stories, someday they may grow out of them, like stories of Santa, or other things they eventually get "too smart" to believe. I try to notice what is going on with my children, and ask guided questions of their thoughts and emotions. For example - okay, a simplistic one, but the only one I can think of right now - If they are scared in the night, instead of calming them myself, I ask if they want to pray for Heavenly Father to help them feel safe and good. After a while, they do their own praying, and it works, so they don't wake me up! :) That's good because I get more sleep, but mostly because they are developing their own trust in and relationship with their Heavenly Father. They trust their own ability to seek and receive guidance and help. A maybe trivial example, but I try to use the same idea throughout their day and various experiences. When my daughter did something especially thoughtful, I asked her "What do you think your Heavenly Father thinks of you doing this?" "I bet he is so proud of me. he wants to give me a hug!" You bet He does! I have some family in the military, and sometimes with a parent overseas for a long time, the kids tend to forget about them. They see pictures, and know they are there, but not a part of their everyday life. I have read tips on keeping the absent parent involved, keeping them real, and in the front of kids' minds - talking about them, looking at pictures, making plans, remembering experiences they had with them - as part of everyday conversation - not just sit-down meetings. So that when the parent returns, they are not strangers, but have nurtured a relationship all along. I think some of these same principles would work in making God real to our children. So that when they reunite, they are not strangers, but close friends.

Our boys go to a Catholic school, so they learn about God all day long, but at their young ages (almost 4 and 6), it's sometimes hard for them to understand the concept that God is always with them. My oldest came home and asked how we know Jesus is always there with us. I said, "You know sometimes when you go to Grandma and Papa's house I'm not there? Even though you don't see me, I am still in your heart and you are in mine. That's how God is - he is in your heart and you are in his, even if you can't see him. But just like you can think of me when you can't see me, you can think of God." It seemed to answer his question...

i kind of got the same thing out of the article that you did.We also use real life examples. We have friends whose daughter has severe heart defects. When she was in the hospital for her last surgery, she almost didn't make it. We prayed for her every night and when she got better and came home and is doing great, my 6 yr old ds said, "See, God answers prayers. Isn't He awesome?"

That's cool, Ani - Not that you want your friends to have huge trials, but it's neat to watch our children get involved in praying for and thinking of others, then recognize miracles when they see them. And I do the same thing, lovemy2boys - they seem to understand it pretty well that way. A little off topic, but funny - at least I thought it was hilarious: I walked into my front room and noticed a foil star stuck on the forehead of a painting of Jesus we have hanging on the wall. (Yes, a foil star - and I'm not sure how long it had been there before I noticed it.) I questioned my then 3 1/2 year old about it. "Did you put that star on Jesus?" "Yup." "Why?" 'Because He's pretty cool. You would not BELIEVE all the cool stuff He's done, Mom!!"

Awww, that's so neat! :D

I always give God the Glory, so to speak, when things go right for us. For example and this may sound stupid, but when I get a good parking place, I'm like, wow, look how God just blessed us. OR when my children don't feel well, we pray and when they feel better we give God praises for their healing. We have testimony service at church and thats always a great time for the kids to hear what God is doing in others lives as well. Just giving God the Praise and Worship for all our blessings everyday. My daughter is 7 and she will tell you in a heartbeat that God is real and He lives in her heart. My son just turned 3 and he will stand up on the end table with a play microphone and preach his heart, it's so cute. He has learned to sing Jesus Loves Me, which is so sweet, but ever since we brought Baby H home, he has on his own, starting singing Jesus Loves me and the baby. Now that is precious!

Yes, that is precious! :D