3. Faith
If you haven’t talked about faith in a real way, chances are that your child has already started to drift away. Are you living faith authentically? Does your walk, match your talk? Are you involved in a small group?
You are the primary voice in the life of your child; it’s your responsibility in every area of your child’s life to be the one shaping, encouraging, challenging, and pushing. Your preteens want to ask questions, make sure that you answer authentically. Work on these follow-up questions:
- Why do you think that?
- Is this something you are thinking about or have decided on?
- I don’t know, want to have another conversation after we’ve both gotten some more information?
- How long have you felt this way?
- How can I help you?
Don’t allow their questions to go unanswered, but don’t make something up either, and don’t demonize them for asking questions; allow them a safe place to think critically about their faith.
