So good luck growing up. At 41, I’m realizing I’m a few decades behind. Maybe we’ll grow up together.

My reply there:

Gosh, MsJoy; I think we’re kindred spirits.

I think you’re doing it exactly right. Respecting your kids’ beliefs. Respecting the beliefs of others. And still trying to instill fantastic values in them, as best you can.

I’ve always kind of made a distinction between “believe in” and “have confidence in” or “agree with” or “accept.” They’re all synonymous, potentially, but the first one seems to be fraught with too much baggage. I’m sure I use it in common conversation all the time, but my son and I have talked about reasons for believing in something, evidence, and all that. For now, he accepts things he can see reason to accept, but he can see why people like to talk about something bigger than themselves. For him, that’s nature, and being a good person “just because,” so he’s good. I guess he might change his mind, and I can’t say I’m not happy that we have the same opinion right now, but I’d be fine with anything he chose to believe in, I think.

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So yeah, I think you’re awesome. So glad I found your blog. I think the “what do you think?” games are perfect for kids. I do disagree with some philosophical and religious views my own parents hold, but more than anything they taught me HOW to think, and then took my views seriously. Most valuable lesson ever.