Besides being impressively truthful and plain-speaking with your 8 year-old, she was already obviously grounded in Biblical truth and convictions that supported her feelings. Christian parents do well to start their kids learning from the Bible before having to learn about the evils in the culture around them. Apparently, you and your wife have done a good job of that!
Mima, thank you for pointing this out. I appreciate Josh's writing, but a different approach from a different parent might have had them explaining abortion based on a sixteen-year-old who was raped by her brother. Or a brilliant woman about to enter medical school whose life is about to be "ruined" by a pregnancy. There are a hundred variations of this. We have a responsibility to direct our children's values and Josh and his wife received confirmation that they are doing so. But other parents are teaching values 180 degrees away.
BTW - I write as a Jewish mother and grandmother who agrees that teaching Bible is a wonderful way to get tough issues into the conversation.
I had a similar experience with my own daughter when she was a little older, maybe 13. Her first reaction was "Whaaat??", followed quickly by "How come they are allowed to do that? I thought murder was illegal". Out of the mouths of babes, indeed.
I think it was Bari Weiss who once said – by all means be pro-choice, but don't bend the truth about what is happening. Fine, think it is ok – but in that case defend it honestly.
The trouble is, other than to save the life of the mother, abortion is impossible to defend. That is why language is changed.
The majority of children would have the reaction of horror when finding out about abortion. It's a tragedy when pro-abortion/choice moms and dads will then tell their child that their natural inclinations are incorrect and dehumanize their own child, their siblings, or others, to try and justify abortion. They'll also use euphemisms to deflect from what happens during the procedure in an attempt to normalize it. It's easier when you are not taught to appreciate human life or have an understanding of our prenatal development. There was an NPR article that said to try and get your child to stop focusing on the baby when discussing abortion -- I consider this malicious. Some of the greatest advocates against abortion I have seen have been post-abortive women who go on to share the truth and the grief they have with their other children. It is an inhumane and violent practice that must end.
I was in 6th grade (back in the 1980s) when my mom had to stop by the CPC where she volunteered to pick something up on the way home. Of course I had questions about this place. I was stunned and grieved when i learned about abortion.
Besides being impressively truthful and plain-speaking with your 8 year-old, she was already obviously grounded in Biblical truth and convictions that supported her feelings. Christian parents do well to start their kids learning from the Bible before having to learn about the evils in the culture around them. Apparently, you and your wife have done a good job of that!
Mima, thank you for pointing this out. I appreciate Josh's writing, but a different approach from a different parent might have had them explaining abortion based on a sixteen-year-old who was raped by her brother. Or a brilliant woman about to enter medical school whose life is about to be "ruined" by a pregnancy. There are a hundred variations of this. We have a responsibility to direct our children's values and Josh and his wife received confirmation that they are doing so. But other parents are teaching values 180 degrees away.
BTW - I write as a Jewish mother and grandmother who agrees that teaching Bible is a wonderful way to get tough issues into the conversation.
I had a similar experience with my own daughter when she was a little older, maybe 13. Her first reaction was "Whaaat??", followed quickly by "How come they are allowed to do that? I thought murder was illegal". Out of the mouths of babes, indeed.
I think it was Bari Weiss who once said – by all means be pro-choice, but don't bend the truth about what is happening. Fine, think it is ok – but in that case defend it honestly.
The trouble is, other than to save the life of the mother, abortion is impossible to defend. That is why language is changed.
Savannah has a beautiful soul and a mind that thinks critically (in the correct sense).
An 8 year old is TOO YOUNG to learn this truth. Killing innocence is wrong, too.
Sadly, there are 8-year-olds already using birth control. In a society that has caused kids to grow up too fast, we cannot hide hard truth!
The majority of children would have the reaction of horror when finding out about abortion. It's a tragedy when pro-abortion/choice moms and dads will then tell their child that their natural inclinations are incorrect and dehumanize their own child, their siblings, or others, to try and justify abortion. They'll also use euphemisms to deflect from what happens during the procedure in an attempt to normalize it. It's easier when you are not taught to appreciate human life or have an understanding of our prenatal development. There was an NPR article that said to try and get your child to stop focusing on the baby when discussing abortion -- I consider this malicious. Some of the greatest advocates against abortion I have seen have been post-abortive women who go on to share the truth and the grief they have with their other children. It is an inhumane and violent practice that must end.
I was in 6th grade (back in the 1980s) when my mom had to stop by the CPC where she volunteered to pick something up on the way home. Of course I had questions about this place. I was stunned and grieved when i learned about abortion.