How a Non-Christian Parent Handles??

[MsAnne]

A subject came up at work, and I realized I had never asked this before. I'm genuinely curious as to how a non-Christian parent would handle this in contrast to a Christian parent.

When my children were small, they would experience the usual fears, bad dreams, etc. I would sit with them, pray with them, and help them understand that they coud call upon the Lord for strength and comfort during those times. Even as tiny children they grapsed the concept that "Jesus is here and will be with you to help you." They were always comforted, and that practice of calling on God for strength has carried through to their adulthood.

So I'm curious - What does a parent do when they do not share that belief system? How do you comfort your children? Protect them from the monster in the closet? What do you give them to 'hang on to' in the night?

I'm interested in your responses.

 

[Routerider]

A subject came up at work, and I realized I had never asked this before. I'm genuinely curious as to how a non-Christian parent would handle this in contrast to a Christian parent.

When my children were small, they would experience the usual fears, bad dreams, etc. I would sit with them, pray with them, and help them understand that they coud call upon the Lord for strength and comfort during those times. Even as tiny children they grapsed the concept that "Jesus is here and will be with you to help you." They were always comforted, and that practice of calling on God for strength has carried through to their adulthood.

So I'm curious - What does a parent do when they do not share that belief system? How do you comfort your children? Protect them from the monster in the closet? What do you give them to 'hang on to' in the night?

I'm interested in your responses.

I've had to handle this exact thing myself. One night my son told me he was scared, I asked him what he was scared of...he said "monsters". I asked him, "did you see monsters lastnight?"...he said "no"....I said "What about the night before?" Again he said "no".
I repeated this a few times to help him understand...he fears something that doesn't even exist. I'd rather help my child with reality, I'd rather my child become convinced that monsters don't exist than look to the supernatural to deal with the supernatural.

I hope my response doesn't come across as a "cut". I simply thought it was important that I explain myself in full.

 

[MsAnne]

I hope my response doesn't come across as a "cut". I simply thought it was important that I explain myself in full.

Not at all. I appreciate your response, thank you.

I'll be interested to see if others handle the situation the same way.

 

[Dyrwen]

My mother, being as she is non religous, always just used her own comforting self as a way to take away fears.

If the kid gets scared, he runs to mom, not gods. At an age such as these mentioned, being afraid of monsters and your dreams are something best delt with in reality by a loving caring person. My own mom was happy enough to let me sleep near her if needed or even let me know they can't get me because she is there.

Seems like when kids have fears at a young age, it's up to their guardians to learn how to help them cope with it. Religion can't keep most kids' attention at that age, let alone to have to allow them to understand the concept of an overwhelming force controlling their life through bad and good. So, all in all, it'll come down to a kid wanting the comfort of another individual (albeit a mom, dad, friend, dog, or even an inanimate object like a stuffed animal) to confide in their feelings of how to move around this situation of a bad dream. Kids like results, and they like em quick. heh.. so goes my opinion on the matter. Good question though..