Any advice on how to handle faith formation for a 4 year old?

[geminiangel6670]

I have recently had issues with the Youth Faith Formation at my church. My 4 year old is attending her first year, not in preparation for the sacraments, just basically to start her religious education. The class has had 3 sessions and I do not feel confident that I can leave my child for the hour and a half. Yesterday, the teenaged assistant asked me to quit coming to the class. I asked why and she said that she wasn’t comfortable interacting with the children in front of everyone. I told her that she shouldn’t be embarrassed, and that as the year progressed I would try to step out of the class when I felt my daughter was ready. I noticed that she didn’t talk to any of the other parents; there were 5 of us, so I even asked another mother after class in case I just didn’t see it. The other mom said that nobody mentioned it to her, and she thought that maybe since I shot it down, they just didn’t approach anyone else. The more I think about it the more upset I get. I cannot address it with the teacher because the assistant is either her younger sister, or related to her emotionally on some level. I know that she will be defensive. My mom thinks I should just let it go and see what happens at the next class. I’m tempted to contact the head of the youth ministry, but maybe I’m overreacting? Any advice?

 

[Fr.Vincent_Serpa]

Dear friend,

I wouldn’t even consider leaving a four-year-old in a faith formation class. Not only would I be uncomfortable with having a teenager teach the class, I would take the child OUT of the class. The first teachers of the faith are the parents. Teach your child yourself. When she is of school age is soon enough for parish faith formation classes.

Fr. Vincent Serpa, O.P.