Teaching my kids about faith when I'm still figuring it out | DadHQ

Teaching my kids about faith when I'm still figuring it out

4d ago1 min read

My kids are asking more questions about God and church lately. The problem is I grew up Christian but kind of drifted away in my twenties. Now as a dad I want them to have faith but I feel like a hypocrite teaching them something I'm not living. My wife is more committed to it than me. How do I lead by example when I'm still working through my own beliefs? Anyone else been in this position?

6 comments150 views

Comments(6)

RRick M.Regular2d ago

It's okay to not have all the answers. My kids ask me stuff about God all the time and I usually say 'that's a great question, let's figure it out together.' Honesty goes way further than pretending you know everything.

KKyleRegular2d ago

This is such a real tension. I grew up super religious and my kids have questions I'm not sure how to answer either. What I've realized is that being honest about your own journey is actually way more valuable than pretending you have it all figured out. Kids can tell when you're faking it anyway.

TTom M.Regular2d ago

I'm in the same boat. Grew up Christian but kind of fell off in my twenties. Now my kids are asking and I feel like a fraud sometimes. I've been reading some stuff with them and we just talk through it together honestly. Kids respect that more than pretending to have all the answers.

MMichaelRegular2d ago

My suggestion is to find a church community you feel comfortable in first, then the teaching part gets easier. Your kids will sense if you're authentic or just going through the motions.

BBrett M.New Dad3d ago

Same boat here. I think modeling curiosity and honesty about faith is better than acting like you know everything. There are some great parenting resources out there specifically for this situation if you want to check some out.

DDerek M.Regular3d ago

Honestly? Tell them the truth about your journey. That you're figuring it out too. Kids respect that way more than adults who pretend to have all the answers. My daughter asked me some pretty deep questions about faith and I just told her I wasn't sure but we could figure it out together.