Your cart is currently empty!
Why Religion Isn’t a Big Deal in Our Family
So, my son and I strolled into Rite Aid the other day on our way home from school. I had to make a quick stop in the card aisle. “Why don’t you grab a First Communion card for your cousin? I’ll hit up the Mother’s Day section, and we can be outta here in a jiffy!” I suggested.
“Mom, what’s a ‘Communion’?” my 7-year-old asked, looking genuinely puzzled. Ugh. That familiar knot formed in my stomach, the one I dread.
I was raised Catholic, went through all the sacraments, and even spent my summers on mission trips. While I consider myself a spiritual person, I don’t align with much of what I learned back in the day, especially the way it was force-fed to us. So, when my son was born, we made the choice not to baptize him. I never bought into the idea that our sweet little angel was born in sin. My husband isn’t religious either, so this felt right for us.
Since then, we’ve occasionally sent our son to religious summer camps, and I’ve tried to answer his questions about faith when they arise. However, religion has really taken a backseat in our daily lives. It didn’t hit me until this card shopping moment that my son, in his innocence, was missing out on experiences that some of his cousins were having. I answered his questions honestly, but it hit me harder than expected. Perhaps it’s because he’s getting older and understanding things on a deeper level, but it left me pondering if I was making the right choices for him.
The truth is, every day, I strive to do right by him. Will I ever know if my decisions were the best ones? Maybe, if he ends up in therapy as an adult! But for now, we’re navigating parenthood in our own unique way.
If one day he expresses an interest in learning more about faith or even wants to attend church every Sunday like some of his cousins, I would absolutely support him. But it has to be his choice, not something I impose on him because it’s deemed “right” by societal standards or by the way I was raised. My ultimate goal is for him to make his own decisions based on genuine connections rather than a sense of obligation. If it resonates with him, then it’s the right path for us both.
If you want to dive deeper into similar experiences and insights, check out this post on our other blog. They’ve got some intriguing content! And for those navigating the journey of parenthood and fertility, this resource is a must-read. Also, don’t miss out on Progyny for invaluable information on pregnancy and home insemination.
Summary
This article explores the author’s personal journey with religion and parenting, reflecting on choices made for their son amidst a backdrop of their own Catholic upbringing. The piece emphasizes the importance of personal choice in matters of faith, encouraging independence and authenticity in decision-making regarding spirituality.