Faith-based parenting is also value based.
No matter what your family looks like, whether your kids are old or young, faith-based parenting can be a powerful approach.
Studio 5 Parenting Contributor Heather Johnson believes that faith-based parenting is not just about teaching doctrine, but about letting spiritual beliefs shape your relationships with your children, from decision-making to how you love and discipline them.
What is Faith-Based Parenting?
A faith-based parent is an intentional parent. Heather explained that faith-based parenting is also value based, meaning it applies regardless of religious affiliation. “It is taking values and principles that we subscribe to… but we allow those values and principles to shape who we are as parents,” she said.
Benefits of Faith-Based Parenting
Faith-based parenting offers numerous benefits, including stronger family bonds and better conflict resolution. Heather noted, “When we are in a home where we’re teaching forgiveness and love and empathy, naturally we come closer together.”
Ethical Component
Teaching values like compassion and non-judgment helps children make moral decisions. Heather emphasized, “Ethically, we’re able to make moral decisions that benefit and support each other in better ways.”
Challenges of Faith-Based Parenting
While faith-based parenting has many advantages, it also presents challenges such as rigid thinking and social adaptation.
Rigid Thinking
Faith-based parenting can sometimes lead to rigid thinking, making it hard for children to accept other perspectives. Heather advised, “We want to make sure that we help our kids understand that other people’s perspectives don’t have to challenge ours.”
Social Adaptation
Sheltering children from other social experiences can hinder their ability to function in society. Heather suggested teaching critical thinking skills and the principle of being “in the world, but not of it.”
Pressure and Guilt
Faith-based parenting can sometimes lead to pressure and guilt, especially if children feel they are not meeting religious expectations. Heather recommended not tying children’s worth to their performance and ensuring they understand that their worth is never challenged by their choices or accomplishments.
To contact Heather for counseling, email blog.familyvolley@gmail.com, or visit www.familyvolley.blogspot.com.
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