Single Parents Multiple Challenges - The Need for Reasonableness

After a divorce, children benefit from regular contact with both parents. Suppose the parents have different religious beliefs; one is one of Jehovah's Witnesses, and the other is not. Regular and open communication helps to avoid any unnecessary conflict.  "Have a reputation for being reasonable," wrote the apostle Paul.  (Philippians 4:5, Phillips) Children should be taught to respect both parents' rights to practice their religion. 

The non-Witness parent my insist on having the child attend religious services a this church. What can the parent who is one of Jehovah's Witnesses do?  She can also share her religious convictions with the child. In time, the child can make up his own decisions regarding religion, as did Young Timothy, whose mother and grandmother likely taught him Bible principles.  (2 Timothy 3:14, 15) If the child feels uneasy attending services in another religion, perhaps he can consider the Bible character Naaman, who after becoming a true worshiper continued to carry out his duties by accompanying the king who worshiped  at the house of Rimmon.  This account may reassure the child of Jehovah's  love and understanding despite his presence at religious ceremonies to which is unaccustomed. -Kings 5:17-19. 

The successful parent is able to mold the thinking of the child or children and to understand their feelings.  (Deuteronomy  6:7)  True, parents who were never married married might feel embarrassed over their former life course. However, such parents need to remember the children have two biological parents. Children want to know about both parents, and they need to feel that they are wanted, not just unfortunate accidents.  By speaking respectfully of the absent parent and giving answers that someone the child's age can grasp or needs to know, the parent can provide the child with loving reassurance.

Parents should remember that a child's first impressions of love, authority, and power are shaped by the relationship the child has with his parent. By the loving exercise of authority and power, the Christian parent can do much to prepare the child to have a loving relationship with Jehovah and to have respect for arrangements in the congregation.  -Genesis 18:19. 

Next time: Single Parents Multiple Challenges - Children's Cooperation Essential

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