Am I a bad mom because I don't teach my kids Bible songs??

[aisforazebra]

Eh. You're doing fine. She's your kid, not your mom's. And like others have said, being able to recite verses or sing songs doesn't mean much. It's not an indicator of future spirituality or maturity or anything. Kids will repeat what they hear; it doesn't mean it's sinking in.

[pastor's wife]

(06-29-2012 11:03 AM)lillypie82 Wrote:  when I call my mom to say "Guess what L did today? She sang Hey Diddle Diddle all by herself", she NEVER says "Wow, that's great!" It's always "Well, I wish she would sing Jesus Loves Me instead"

I know people near and dear to me who are very much like this. Nothing ever seems to be good enough for them; no matter what one does, their response is always, "Well, too bad it wasn't thus-and-so."

It's maddening when you really DO want to please them or at least have them share your happiness, but their radar is set on total outward perfection and they're scared that if they show approval of anything that's less than perfect, then you might never try to do any better and you HAVE to KEEP TRYING!!! They don't understand how love and joy can motivate people; instead they give a frowny, concerned face and say, "Yes, but ..." Oh, how I dislike those "Yes, buts".

It's hard for me to rest in God's love and realize that He's not always perpetually disappointed in me. Instead He rejoices over me. I have to rely on THAT, because I don't think I'll ever be good enough for some people in my life.

[beth]

As long as she's not singing a certain song from Cee-Lo Green, what's the problem?

[dramaturge]

(06-29-2012 07:21 PM)beth Wrote:  As long as she's not singing a certain song from Cee-Lo Green, what's the problem?

That one's ok as long as she sings the "clean" version. :-P

(06-29-2012 11:03 AM)lillypie82 Wrote:  I can tell she is trying to "fix" my daughter by disciplining her differently than I do

That upset me just reading it. The role of grandparents as disciplinarians is to reinforce parental discipline (exceptions, of course, for instances when parents have done zero discipline and their children are raving crazy-faces that would humiliate all grandparents. haha).

Frankly, I think you're doing fine. You teach and model for your daughter what you want to teach and model. My life as a child and now as an adult was not spiritually enriched by "Jesus Loves the Little Children" or "Dare to be a Daniel." Frankly, I'd say even at three, if you want her to be exposed to spiritual music, teach her some David Crowder and Chris Tomlin. It would be a lot better and more enjoyable than 90% of children's Bible music. haha

[pastor's wife]

(06-29-2012 11:51 PM)dramaturge Wrote:  Frankly, I'd say even at three, if you want her to be exposed to spiritual music, teach her some David Crowder and Chris Tomlin. It would be a lot better and more enjoyable than 90% of children's Bible music. haha

That's one of the things I enjoy about the Group VBS music - they usually include not just kids' songs but praise and worship songs and often even a hymn!

This one included "Shout to the North," "Ancient Words", "I Could Sing of Your Love Forever", and "O the Deep, Deep Love of Jesus." http://www.amazon.com/High-Seas-Expediti...=pd_cp_m_1

or this http://www.amazon.com/Power-Lab-Sonic-Si..._sim_mov_4

[co_heir]

You're a bad mom because you're asking this bunch of heretics if you're a bad mom instead of asking your local man o' gawd.

[paul]

I think we are all bad parents in our fundy-parent's eyes. We are not "training them in the way" of fundy-mental-ism, therefore we are not good parents.

While we are all catechizing our kids in one way or another, there is nothing that says we have to do it through the formal means of Bible songs or Bible verses. (or even a catechism for that matter.) The things we teach them now will help define their world view as they grow. I think the fundy preoccupation with this lies somewhat in teaching children to memorize things they don't understand. It builds a pattern in the child to always ask for the meaning rather than do their own research. This plays right in to the fundy-preacher's lap and raises kids to simply accept the spoon fed dictates of the man-o-gawd.

But no, that doesn't make you a bad parent.