Most of you know that my youngest son, 8, is a little worry wart.......He is always worrying about death, mainly me dying. He has been to doctors when he was younger for PTSD, OCD, and ADDH. Wow, huh? He is a pill that is for sure, but I have to tell you this kid is so spiritual.
He at many times , especailly before bed, talks to me about all the mysteries of the universe, of life,of death, about God, etc.
I have been trying to slowly introduce them to the idea that if we die , we very well may go to heaven. I told them when my time comes to die and go to heaven( I say it like it is a fact) that I am so glad that my mother will be the one to take me there. I tell them we will finally be able to be together to talk and who knows maybe they let us ride horses in heaven. I tell them I will have wings so I can fly down and rustle the leaves or touch their hair, then they will know I am there.
I mean I am not sure of these things myself. But the the youngest is especailly having a hard time with the thought of one day me getting old and dying.
I didnt think the JW indoctrinated issues would hang on to the 8 yr old mind so tightly, and we have been out for a year and a half.
I had to think of something to tell him to rest his mind at ease. Being JW, we , he included, were told, you will never get old in this system, you will never have to lose your family in death. Well, he is accepting that there may not be a paradise on earth, and I think that is what is bothering him right now, I went thru it myself . That is why I am introducing the going to heaven idea. I also leave the door open for the earthly paradise or some other plan God may have. But it is hard when you don't know yourself and you are trying to comfort a child.
What really bothers me, is not mainly the tears he cried last night , but that he said he would kill himself if I died. I take all things like this said, seriously. He has said this many times since he was 4 yrs old.
I hope that what I tell him, will satisify him for now, and as he grows older and "cuts the apron strings" alittle more he will not worry over such things. He is very clingy right now, but I am working with him on some of his issues and some things have gotten better.
At least he is not insisting on wearing a red shirt everyday,,,,,,,,,, it had to be a red shirt. Boy that was irritating.......lol. But with patience and not fighting over it, I let him have his red shirt and he got over it.
I am hoping that he will find some comfort in the things I say, as I find them comforting myself, now I hope we both can become true believers one day.
I decided to start reading the New Testament with him at night before he sleeps, at least the good things,,,,,,,lol........ the promises of Jesus and how good things will be.
I want my children to grow up and form their own belief systems , but right now my little son is still a Christain so I will go with that for now.
Funny thing he said last nite, he said,,,,,,,"Mama, I think we might go to heaven, but I just don't believe there is really a hell". I said, " I don't either Chance".
Have any of you,,,,,,,,,,had problems leaving the JW beliefs behind,and it being hard to explain to little children? Or even older children?
What are you doing in teaching your children spiritual things? There are many beliefs out there what are , are any of you teaching anything other than the traditions Christain theame?
I am hoping with patience , lots of love, reasurrance and some comforting scriptures he will leave some of his worries behind ,,,,,,,,,,,,like he did the red shirt.......lol.