What Do You Do When Your Kids Don't Want to Attend Church?

Good Morning,

Faith is an important part of my life, always has been and always will be. But my 14 year old has lots of questions about her faith and even the existance of there being a higher power. Can I her understand my feelings? Absolutely!

I understand her not wanting to go to church. There are no kid groups for her age, and the sermons aren't really relateable for teenagers. However, I want to be a role model and my faith is part of my life. I want to share my feelings and beliefs with my children.  

To solve this dilemma, I have a three part plan to help her. First, no matter what she believes or doesn't believe, I am willing to listen, not judge and answer any questions she asks.

Second, I need to children to attend church with me as we are a family. And third, I don't take this phase in her life as a serious problem.

I want my kids to ask questions, about everything! I want my kids to feel free to feel anyway they do as a valued feeling. Did I use the word feel too much there?

And I want my kids to know that I love them no matter how they feel. Now if you are asking how I put humor in this situation. Well, my demeanor is light. My children know that here is an important part of someones life, their faith, and I treat it with respect and show them how I feel and how my faith affects my life. Not judging is sometimes hard, but with children, the bottom line is respect of their feelings and questions.

Let me know how you feel.