Well SusieC, what you believe , appears to be the most important issue in relating to young children.

Surely, you as an adult have opinions on these issues/ topics?

Just relate them honestly and openly to your children, keeping them simple. I am sure they'll appreciate it. My experience in my own family and in the 1000's of families I have delt with through teaching is that your children will eventually choose their own anyway despite what you want them to have. Depending on how much they value your values/ attitudes will determine whether they eventually take on yours.

My parents took the neutral approach.  They explained to me in terms I could understand  that different people believe different things (with regards to where people go when they die, etc), and explained what those different beliefs were, and told me that in reality no one really knows for sure until it happens to them.  They concluded with the idea that it was best for me to think about these things and make up my own mind what I wanted to believe.  With things like where I came from, they kept it simple and somewhat scientific (ie: Mum became pregnant and gave birth to me), but added that different people might tell me all kinds of things, like being found in Dad's beer, or in the cabbage patch, that God made me, or the stork brought me, etc.  She said that if I wanted to tell people I came from Mars I was welcome to do so.  Explain the different theories and let the child make the choice for themselves.  The worst thing you can do is impose a close-minded view.  For example, God created you and that is the end of it.  When the child grows up and is learns that there is more to the world, more theories and beliefs, they will start to doubt whatever faith you imposed upon them.  If they can make their choices in what they believe - even if it is contradictory to what you believe - at least they made an informed choice of their own and will be able to question their beliefs without shaking their faith in the way the world works.

Hi Susie,

There is a group on here called New Age Parents that would be great for advice on this topic. If you have trouble trying to find it, send me an email and ill invite you in. Hope you have some luck on this one.

I personally never want to push religous beliefs onto children or any-one.....in saying this I think it very important to allow spiritual development and provide as much knowledge as possible to our kids.This is such a personal issue,I used to let my children go to as many different religions as they wanted throughout their life and then we would debate and converse in regard to which ever religion they were interested in at the time.I feel I personally don't know  the final outcome,but it is my responsability  as a parent to encourage an open and ever enquiring mind in my children.I think if you provide books, sunday school ,your opinion on these matters etc you will be covering the spiritual issue quite well. Merry xmas Merle

Our two boys sat for half an hour once chatting to each other and trying to decide what they 'wanted to be' so they wouldnt die ( I want to be a tree, a rock, a plastic bag, some slime etcetc.)
So that led into a discussion of what we would miss out on if we were a rock or a bit of plastic etc.

As to what comes next- I told them the only thing I could tell them. Nobody knows.
We did explore various belief systems at that point- reincarnation - as a human or another life form, heaven and hell, spiritual development and so on.

At the end I stressed that these are beliefs and although some people can become very fanatical no-one really knows.
We decided the best thing is to enjoy and be grateful for the wonderful life we have to enjoy now, and be nice to others etc. As to beliefs they are a personal thing and each person should grow and explore themselves.
Good luck with it.