Can anyone here tell me if they have faced this delima? How did you handle it?
* WARNING WARNING I DO NOT HAVE KIDS! * What I write below is what I've thought based on my experiences, my siblings experiences, people I know, and other educational materials like books and documentaries. It in no way reflects an actual experience with raising kids.
So my husband and I have decided to start teaching both sides and let her choose her own path.
Can anyone offer tips on how to teach both sides impartially?
I think you're missing the point. There is no "teaching" "both sides" "impartially"! Your very notion of teaching and impartiality are dripping with your own world view. And there is no "teaching" religion--it's belief-based; kids don't choose their own path for that kind of stuff.
You two need to make the decision yourselves. There's a reason that kids aren't allowed to make decisions for themselves--they're not able to choose at this high level for themselves. It's the parents duty to figure this out. By the time the kid is old enough to "choose", the choice has already been made. Either the kid has a want and desire for God, or the kid does not.
Yes, it's possible for people to revisit this later in life, and to choose another path later on, but that is later--after the choice made by the parents has been lived.
In my eyes, pushing this responsibility onto a kid to "decide" is a cop-out and reeks of a scientific world view.
... and with all that said, I really enjoyed all your answers to your daughter and it's a real pleasure to see such caring and thoughtful parents. When I'm ready to have kids, I hope I can meet people such as yourself to help guide me in my decision-making.
Edited by Ben, : No reason given.
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