Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

OriginalGeek

(12,132 posts)
Mon Jan 25, 2016, 11:27 AM Jan 2016

My 13 yo granddaughter told me she is an atheist

Proud Pawpaw here.


Saturday I was having lunch with my son and my 2 granddaughters before taking the kids back to their mother's. Out of the blue she says "Ugh, I don't even know why I have to go to church any more. I'm an atheist..."

Her mom got religion after she and my son divorced and so she is inflicting it on the kids to make up for her partying past I guess. I was proud my granddaughter knew she could tell me that but I don't think she's told her mom yet. Her older sister is on the fence still. She is very popular in several of those catholic clubs they have for kids/teens and is afraid she'll lose her friends. The younger one is sick of going and doesn't care if she never sees those people again lol.

I'll just sit back and encourage when I can and let them both know I love and support them no matter what. Not trying to interfere with their mom's parenting but I am openly atheist and she knows it so I'm not gonna pretend I think any of her religion is OK.

8 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
My 13 yo granddaughter told me she is an atheist (Original Post) OriginalGeek Jan 2016 OP
I have 5 beautiful granddaughters, 15 down to 9 mountain grammy Jan 2016 #1
Yep - I'm hoping the other one comes to the realization that she doesn't need religion OriginalGeek Jan 2016 #2
That's so important for them to know they have an objective adult to talk to mountain grammy Jan 2016 #3
It is so hard for kids. Curmudgeoness Jan 2016 #4
I suspect the hardest part will be for her to stand up for herself OriginalGeek Jan 2016 #6
This message was self-deleted by its author Freelancer Jan 2016 #5
Yep, the older one said she's been studying other religions too OriginalGeek Jan 2016 #7
This message was self-deleted by its author Freelancer Jan 2016 #8

mountain grammy

(27,273 posts)
1. I have 5 beautiful granddaughters, 15 down to 9
Mon Jan 25, 2016, 12:29 PM
Jan 2016

on my last visit, a couple of weeks ago, my 14 year old told me she told her other grandmother she was an atheist. Her other grandmother is very religious, my son and daughter in law are not. Needless to say, her grandmother was horrified.
She asked me for advice, "I don't want to lie" she said.
I told her: her other grandma will love her unconditionally, just like I do, but this is a serious issue with her and it's important to respect that. She promised to go easy on her grandma and keep some stuff to herself, but I encourage her secular beliefs.

If one of my grandkids come to me with the declaration she's "found jeeesus," I guess I'll have to bite the bullet and follow my own advice. Hopefully that won't happen.

OriginalGeek

(12,132 posts)
2. Yep - I'm hoping the other one comes to the realization that she doesn't need religion
Mon Jan 25, 2016, 12:49 PM
Jan 2016

but she does really like the kids in her club. I don't mind that at all - they seem like good kids, religion notwithstanding. When they were married my son and DIL were not religious at all although she did go off occasionally in fad kookery (Qaballah?) for a few minutes at a time. It was a rough divorce and my son actually was awarded full custody but that was years ago and now the xDIL is much more stable so they share custody. Plus the schools are better where DIL lives and in spite of everything else that went down (and there was some nasty meanness and petty shit going around) they had the good sense to keep the kids needs above all else.

My son is an atheist leaning Buddhist and DIL is (now) Catholic so that's where they go. And both kids know they can call me for anything anytime day or night.

mountain grammy

(27,273 posts)
3. That's so important for them to know they have an objective adult to talk to
Mon Jan 25, 2016, 04:34 PM
Jan 2016

and , believe me, I know how hard it is to always be objective, but I'll bite my tongue till it bleeds before I give up the trust those five girls have in me.

Curmudgeoness

(18,219 posts)
4. It is so hard for kids.
Mon Jan 25, 2016, 07:13 PM
Jan 2016

And it is especially hard when they are being pulled in different directions from people that they love. I am sure that you are proud. I just hope that she can deal with her mom.

OriginalGeek

(12,132 posts)
6. I suspect the hardest part will be for her to stand up for herself
Tue Jan 26, 2016, 01:11 PM
Jan 2016

while still being respectful of her mother. She does have a bit of a sassy streak lol. (openly admit to double standard here - it's funny when she's sassy to her mother but not so much when it's to me. But that's on me, not her.)

Response to OriginalGeek (Original post)

OriginalGeek

(12,132 posts)
7. Yep, the older one said she's been studying other religions too
Tue Jan 26, 2016, 01:14 PM
Jan 2016

I encouraged her to study everything she can and let her know I am always available to answer anything I can and google anything I can't. I was raised in a fundie baptist home so I'm up on that angle but not so much catholicism and/or liberal religious people other than what I read here.

Response to OriginalGeek (Reply #7)

Latest Discussions»Alliance Forums»Atheists & Agnostics»My 13 yo granddaughter to...