Help - Sending your kids to a Religious School when you are not Religious
DS starts school next year, we are extremely happy with the school we have chosen for him and he has been offered a place and DD will also go to the same school when her time comes. We've chosen a lovely private school as were unhappy with the public schools around us, but as with most private schools, DSs school is Catholic and we are very happy for DS to have a religious education (obviously)
However, we really aren't religious. I was brought up with no exposure to religion whatsoever, and DH was christened but that's about it (no church attendance or anything like that), our kids haven't been christened or baptised.
We plan to absolutely support the schools beliefs and interact with the school community as want the kids to feel we are involved. But wondering if we should 'prepare' DS in some way. Sorry if this sounds stupid. I was thinking of buying a childrens bible to read together so DS has exposure to who God is and the story of the bible etc. I want the kids to make up their own mind about their religious beliefs and we will support and encourage them. I also want DS to feel comfortable when they have mass and prayer as he's never been exposed to it before (something I feel uncomfortable with basically as I've never really been involved myself).
I'm sure there are many other parents like me with their kids in private schools, not necessarily because of the religion, but because of the schools reputation etc - How did the transition go etc and if you have any tips or anything I'd appreciate it :)
Help - Sending your kids to a Religious School when you are not Religious
We are currently going through this now & I'll come back tomorrow to reply :)
Help - Sending your kids to a Religious School when you are not Religious
Awesome Cheshire. Thanks
DMB - I've seen some children's bibles that are basically a picture book with a pretty basic storyline - aimed at pre-schoolers. That's what I had in mind :)
Help - Sending your kids to a Religious School when you are not Religious
DS knew nothing about the Catholic religion prior to starting at school. He was baptised but I am a non-believer and DH is not active in the church.
DS has had no problems adapting as the teachers are used to having children from a variety of backgrounds. They incorporate the faith into lessons etc and lead the children through.
I made it clear at the interview and my discussions with the teachers that I will encourage my children to research other alternatives but will support their teaching. They are happy with that.
DS has a child from the Muslim faith in his class and her parents have spoken during religious instruction about their faith. The class loved it.
Re: Help - Sending your kids to a Religious School when you are not Religious
I would think to a certain extent everything will be so new to your DS the religious bit will just be another new thing accepted and he won't realise any different. We were brought up as Catholics and went to Catholic school but didn't pray at home or go to church till I was at school. Unless the school suggests anything in particular I would just leave it and wait for any questions etc.
Help - Sending your kids to a Religious School when you are not Religious
Awesome girls - thanks! Very helpful indeed. Seems like I don't need to worry so much. DSs principal was lovely and welcoming and told us DS will learn all this stuff anyway. Good to hear some real life experiences though. DS loves to be included and loves rituals and music so I have a sneaking suspicion that mass will be right up his alley
HotI - cheers for the heads up re the prayers, that's the stuff I need, when we attend mass with DS a few times a year I won't feel like a total goose!
Re: Help - Sending your kids to a Religious School when you are not Religious
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HotI - the Lord's prayer has changed. Not sure how that has happened, but there you go.
Its now something like Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name etc . . . Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our debts as we have forgiven our debtors. Deliver us from the evil one . . . Amen, Praise the Lord.
I wonder if it depends on the school/parish? I know the 'newer' parishes are a bit more forward thinking etc all bar one parish i've been been to still use the 'proper/traditional' one with the only difference being that some now sing it rather than just recite it.
Re: Help - Sending your kids to a Religious School when you are not Religious
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Maybe its a school by school thing? The girls' school is Christian, rather than Catholic so maybe that's it? I must admit, I don't understand the changes. While sometimes things need to be modernised, I don't think the language used at my girls' school improves it, simplifies it for the kids or brings any benefits. It just confuses us old people who still remember the Lord's Prayer from their own days at primary school ;-)
Ah yes it may be a Christian change. Catholicism is very traditional when it comes to the set prayers and rituals :)
Re: Help - Sending your kids to a Religious School when you are not Religious
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Most schools will have a dedicated teacher who is the religious educator, or at least helps the other teachers to design the religion lessons. (My mum does this at her catholic primary school) she gets approached by some parents who are not religious but want to support the kids and she has mini information books on the prayers, sacraments and mass
Yep i think this is becoming the norm in most catholic primary schools. My sister was the assistant REC (Religious Education Co-ordinator).
Re: Help - Sending your kids to a Religious School when you are not Religious
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Just realised I have been saying this one wrong forever. The above is what I copied from catholic.com, I always thought it was 'pray for our sinners now and at the hour of our death'. well, there you go.
:D It's usually said so fast that it does a actually sound like that
Re: Help - Sending your kids to a Religious School when you are not Re
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Awesome girls - thanks! Very helpful indeed. Seems like I don't need to worry so much. DSs principal was lovely and welcoming and told us DS will learn all this stuff anyway. Good to hear some real life experiences though. DS loves to be included and loves rituals and music so I have a sneaking suspicion that mass will be right up his alley
Well, months on and DS just completed three transistion days, at the end of which we attended Mass where the existing reception children welcomed the ones starting next year. One of DSs friends was among existing kids which is cool.
Anyway, the children came and grabbed all the newbies by the hand (nearly made me cry it was so beautiful) and then they all sang 'The Butterfly song" which DS just loved, even though he had never heard it he was singing and dancing along with the other children - he fit right in and is already embracing the school community (so are we)
Very pleased with our choice of school in the end. Let's hope DSs enthusiasm continues - he cant wait to start in January and puts on part or all of his uniform most days LOL
Re: Help - Sending your kids to a Religious School when you are not Re
Re: Help - Sending your kids to a Religious School when you are not Re
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We are currently going through this now & I'll come back tomorrow to reply :)
We are here too, DS is being baptised a catholic to go to the school we want as the public ones here are crap too.
This was recommended to us by the parish priest at the school so to guarantee acceptance.
I hadn't thought much into the rest of it. I know he will do RE at school though
Re: Help - Sending your kids to a Religious School when you are not Re
Mummynaomi, dd1 goes to a catholic school. Dh and i are not religious at all and the first time we went to church dd1 belted out "Mum when are the wiggles coming out!!!"
Anyway whenever they had homework to do with something religious i always just googled it, eg when they had a project on God creating earth.
The issue i found is that they go to church and Father asks questions to the audience. I wish dd1 knew some answers such as which Saint is this etc.
She loves religious studies and prays for her family and does the Hail Mary so beautifully.
Im sure she knows more about religion than we do now lol
All the best.