What about the next time?

[Suzanne_A]

My Methodist MIL is about as liberal as possible on moral issues, and says whatever she feels. The problem is that I don’t want my young children to hear her voice these views and either get confused or think ill of her.(ex. last visit she blurted out “Well I’m pro-choice!” while we were discussing the election, but the kids were too involved in a game to notice) How could I ever console my daughter if she found out that Grandma thinks killing unborn babies is okay? To this point, I have explained to my daughter that abortion is wrong, but many people just don’t know it yet.

Should I have a private conversation with my MIL at the beginning of our next visit, or let what happens, happen and pray that it can be an opportunity for evangelization?

Thank you,
Suz

 

[MDM]

Teaching opportunities abound! You don’t say how young your children are. There is certainly an age/maturity level that they should have before hearing such things. But if they are old enough…

You are going to have to deal with them hearing views opposed to God’s teaching, especially as it is revealed in the Church. It is inevitible, whether it happens in the media, at school, on the playground, in their circle of friends, or within your family. Kids are smart and they are little sponges so they will pick up on the divisive issues of the day. You should look on this as God giving you opportunities to teach the faith to your kids.

When your MIL or anyone else blurts out “Well I’m pro-choice!” or something like it you need to be firm in your position (don’t want to appear to agree with them) but then change the subject if it is getting too hot. Afterward you can follow-up with your child about why “we believe different than they do…”. At your kids’ Baptisms you were given the task of being their primary teachers of the faith. This is a day-to-day and sometimes an hour-to-hour task (not to mention, the most important we’ll ever do.)

If I were you, I’d talk to your MIL about avoiding certain subjects only if you really think your kids are too young to hear them or if she just can’t get off the subject and talks about it constantly.

Peace, and good luck!

 

[funkyhorn]

My wife and I don’t have kids yet, but when we do, we’re anticipating exactly what you’re going through…although our situation involves things like immoral lifestyles, foul and perverted language, anti-catholicism, etc.

We’ve decided that its for the best that our children don’t witness their lifestyle. Even if it is monitored and we explain everything to them, it will have an effect on them. Thinking that your kids will have to swim sooner or later doesn’t justify throwing them into the middle of the ocean…and thinking that your kids will have to eventually learn about abortion, homosexuality and euthenasia doesn’t mean that you should expose them to that now.

I’m sure that your situation isn’t as extreme as mine and maybe your kids are old enough to truely understand. But if they’re still young and don’t know about those kinds of things, I say *let your children stay innocent. Once they’ve been exposed to evil, they’re changed forever * .