How do parents generally handle Christianity being shared with your kids in public school?
We live in a very Christian centered area, but I have raised my kids completely separate from religion. I have explained any religious talk they have been around factually and never condoned disliking people for their views, but also been very clear it means they don't have to participate in what other people are part of. If they have ever been curious about anything, we educate together, but they generally don't care.
My kindergarteners teacher added me on Facebook and is constantly posting "Jesus loves you" type messages, along with snippets from in class experiences and her sharing the message of Jesus' love. Sharing that sentiment is fine, as long as that is where it stays, but my kids out of my supervision all day, I don't want any rampant politically motivated religious messages impressed on them.
Has anyone experienced something similar? How do you communicate with the school about this? Is it even worth it to bring it up, or just continue to make sure the kids are educated with real information?
Hope this all makes sense, from my over tired pregnant brain.
I work with kids on a regular basis.
But generally im tightlipped when it comes to my religious beliefs. Ive heard some pretty radical parroting from children of very religious parents. And ive come across atheist children whove had to defend themselves from religious bullies.
But one thing thats lovely is that parent-teacher open house is a great opportunity to figure out which teachers are more aligned with one's values.
And definitely keep age appropriate books around that define different belief systems, including atheism.
My kids (at work) are ages 8-17 though, so unfortunately i dont really have any Kinder recommendations.
I’d talk to your kid about it. Ask if his teacher has brought it up. Go from there. If it is happening in school, maybe ask to set up a meeting and go in very non-confrontationally and explain that your family has different beliefs and the Jesus talk is confusing for him. Unfortunately if you’re in the south, avoiding religion even in public schools is a horribly difficult task.
I’m in the northeast where religion is a lot less ingrained into the culture, and I still have to undo a lot of things my kid hears.
But on the other hand… my 4 year old apparently told his classmate that heaven isn’t real when the little girl said her grandmother was in heaven. So I also need to get better about teaching my child to respect others’ beliefs even if it’s not what he believes.