| Author | Message | ||
| Windmotion Registered user Username: Windmotion Post Number: 305 Registered: 6-2001  |
My mother-in-law is a very nice person. She is so nice in fact that just about every time she comes to visit she brings my daughter, 3, presents. Some of these presents are cute and appropriate. Others are things such as Adventist kids books. I don't know why she thinks I would actually read these books to her. One she just sent is called "Naughty Heart, Clean Heart" and is about a girl who gets a new heart from Jesus. It's not so bad until you get to this part, (I pick up the story after Mary has just pulled her baby brother's hair) "Mary's book in heaven is still clean. The angel began to write down Mary's sin, but Mary quickly saw her mistake and asked Jesus to forgive her." So I'm obviously going to send that book off to that great circular file in the sky, but should I ask her not to give me any more Adventist books? I don't want to offend her, but does she not think that I may not agree with what is inside? Or is this her passive-aggressive way of introducing my daughter to Adventist doctrine. On a positive note, she did go to church with me Sunday, although on the way back from a park later on that day she noticed an Adventist church and half-jokingly suggested we go to that church since it was so close. I was like, Hmmm. I don't think distance is the issue here. Politely, Hannah | ||
| Freeatlast Registered user Username: Freeatlast Post Number: 483 Registered: 5-2002 |
I told my parents that I personally censor all religious materials sent to my daughter from any source, and that they would be wasting their money sending Seventh-day Adventist literature to her. In this way, I drew a clear boundary for them with regard to what I will not allow my daughter to read. At the same time, I didn't tell them what they can and cannot do with their money. After all, it's their money. But she's my daughter. So they have every right to spend thousands of dollars on SDA literature and send it to her, but none of it will ever get to her while on my watch because I have every right to toss it in the recycle bin. My parents never confronted me about my stand on the matter, but nothing SDA has since been sent to my daughter. Seems to be working for all of us... | ||
| Windmotion Registered user Username: Windmotion Post Number: 306 Registered: 6-2001 |
That's a good idea to tell them "any source" since you aren't explicitly saying you are censoring THEM. | ||
| Susan_2 Registered user Username: Susan_2 Post Number: 2246 Registered: 11-2002 |
"She quickly noticed her sin and asked for forgiveness therefore cancelling out what the angel was writing." It does not seem like the SDA children are learning of God's grace at all. | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 4374 Registered: 12-2003  |
Hey, Susanógood to see you! Hannah, I second Freeatlast's suggestion. I would censor for sureóleaving the option open for them to decide what to do knowing what you will do leaves the ball in their court. They get to "decide". Colleen | ||
| U2bsda Registered user Username: U2bsda Post Number: 87 Registered: 11-2004 |
I've told my family that I am picky about what my kids get. They have been given some SDA books. Some get tossed or stored away and a few are deemed okay. So what do you do with the SDA kids books you don't want to keep? I'd give them away, but then I don't want someone growing up with them. Sometimes they are harder to throw away because they were given in love and much money was invested in it for my children. So in the garage they sit! | ||
| Freeatlast Registered user Username: Freeatlast Post Number: 484 Registered: 5-2002 |
Rhetorical Question: If someone gave you a cobra snake "in love", what would you do with it? | ||
| Violet Registered user Username: Violet Post Number: 457 Registered: 2-2001 |
Just because someone gives you something you are under no obligation to keep or use it. This is a bondage I have faught with for many years. Unable to throw anything away lest I might need it at a later date. There is much freedom in the trash can. You are taking control of your life and surroundings. | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 4375 Registered: 12-2003 |
I agree! Colleen | ||
| Grace_alone Registered user Username: Grace_alone Post Number: 83 Registered: 6-2006  |
Hannah, it's funny that you brought that up because just last Saturday I threw away two SDA story books that my mother-in-law brought the kids. At first I shoved them into the coat closet, but the I found them in the kids' bookcase, leading me to believe that Daddy found them and read them to the kids. They both had "bible stories" in them, but ultimately the message was "God loves those who keep his precious laws", and "it makes God happy when we obey his commands". For about 3 minutes I felt guilty for throwing them in the trash - but thankfully I got over it! Like U2 I thought about giving them away but I'd hate for anyone to get those messages stuck in their heads. I like what Freeatlast said about putting them in the recycle bin. Leigh Anne | ||
| Melissa Registered user Username: Melissa Post Number: 1428 Registered: 7-2003 |
For a long time, I kept the SDA books from my son's shower...albeit 'under the dresser', but eventually they found the trash can. It felt so good to get that junk out of my house. | ||
| Nicole Registered user Username: Nicole Post Number: 12 Registered: 4-2006 |
I told my in-laws recently (when she mentioned giving the kids some adventist childrens books)that i didn't want to have any issues in my house that would cause a division between my husband and i or one that would cause strife. we are not raising the kids adventist. she is welcome to send another christian book to them. she knows i will be looking it over before it is given to them , and she does not want any disharmony in the home. worked for me so far.... |
