Interfaith Parenting

Some parents can be overprotective when it comes to rearing their child. Accidentally use disposables on a cloth-diapered baby, and you can expect an uproar! Although not all parents will view diaper changing so adamantly, respecting different parenting styles in all aspects of child-rearing can be a time-consuming task. With heaven and hell hanging in the balance, religion can be one of those hot-button issues that can cause strife in parenting partnerships. Yet the number of interfaith marriages is growing, giving rise to new challenges in the parenting world.

Interfaith marriage and interfaith parenting often go hand in hand, raising serious practical concerns. Philip Cunningham, a professor of theology at St. Joseph's University, estimates that almost 50% of members subscribing to Judeo-Christian religions are marrying people outside their religious tradition or denomination.

Although a couple may have discussed their different beliefs and traditions in the courtship process, issues of faith can intensify when considering parenting. Baptism? Circumcision? Regular attendance at church, synagogue, or temple? Samskar of Anna-prashana ? Christmas? Hannakah? Between holidays, religious traditions, and varying values, the interfaith possibilities are endless.

Gabrielle Glaser, author of Strangers to the Tribe: Portraits of Interfaith Marriage explains: "The arrival of a baby forces parents to confront their religious legacies, to reconsider decisions made long ago and to revisit the spiritual dilemmas of their own youth." As if choosing what schools and play dates isn't hard enough, decisions regarding what religion(s) and who teaches the children spiritual values can have a profound impact on the child's spiritual faith development.

If parents choose to teach both religions, children may be split. Unable to make a spiritual decision for fear of showing favoritism to one parent over the other, the child may disconnect themselves from both. If one religion is decided on, both parents should be certain to be involved in the religious teachings to provide a united spiritual front. Interfaithparenting can be successful; it simply needs a little more effort and respect. Treading the interfaith line can be a daunting task. The issue of prayer alone presents so many opportunities for lessons of discord or unity.

How can parents celebrate the joys and minimize the hardships of interfaith parenting?

Prayables.com is a modern interfaith community designed to respect women of all denominations, creeds, and spiritual backgrounds. Parents can use the resources found at Prayables.com to find strength in raising their children from multiple religious backgrounds. With popular blogs such as Mommy Moments, Prayables offers parents a new way to effectively manage the intersection of spirituality and parenting. With blogging parents and a writing staff who have "been there, done that," Prayables is a convenient way to support interfaith parenting strategies.

Build a spiritual household that fosters admiration for multiple religious views. Quickly find prayers through Prayables' collections appropriate for all occasions while remaining respectful to family members of any religious faith. Whether you're raising your child in one faith or many, Prayables.com provides resources, strength, and community to facilitate an interfaith dialogue in your home.