Kid Stuff

Since we're in a parenting series right now, I thought I'd respond to a question I get regularly: Do I force my kid to go to church even if he/she doesn't want to?

The question bugs me. We work really hard to create an experience at Crossroads that is appealing to kids and teens and adults. I get bummed when kids (and teens) don't want to show up. Oh well...

My response to the question is YES, force kids to go to church. Will they whine? Will they pat you on the back for forcing them to do something they don't want to do? You know the answers to those questions. Kids need to learn, however, to do things (that are good for them) even if they don't want to do them. Do you force your kids to go to school? Yes. Do you force your kids to go to bed at night? Yes. Do you force them to eat healthy foods? Yes.

The rule of thumb is as long as they are living under your roof you have every right to expect them to attend church with you. Does that include teens? Yep. Young adults still living at home? Probably (although how you "enforce" this value differs greatly from kids/teens).

I didn't like going to church as a kid/teen. In fact, I hated it!! But, it wasn't optional. And even though my church was dysfunctionally boring, I still learned and benefited greatly from it.

Parents...you are the boss...you call the shots...you lead the way.