Hey there. About a week or so ago, we got to meet our new neighbors. The family that lived there before moved out and it turns out that they are renting out their home. It turns out the the neighbors are good people. They seem friendly and they have kids that seem to get along great with our kids. They call each other over, which seems like every day, and they hang out and have a good time. Which is great, because the kids didn't really play as much with the previous neighbor kids even though we would push them to go play so it's a good thing that they hit it off right away with the new neighbor kids. On Saturday, though, they came home from being next door and asked if they could go to church with the neighbors on Sunday morning...
Now... we're not really church going individuals. I strongly believe that people can worship however they see fit and if going to a church every Sunday is their thing, then go on, my friend. But us, we're not those kind of individuals. My wife and I are also not one to block our kids from what we don't do so they expressed interest in going to church. Which is fine... but considering that the neighbors have only been there about a week or so seems too recent to allow them to take off with our kids. I don't know... I don't feel comfortable with that idea. Knowing that our kids are not exactly early birds... we told them that if they got up, got dressed, and cleaned their rooms by 8:30 the next morning, they can go. Of course, they slept right through the morning and got up closer to 10 am without a mention of church.
The question I pose to you, dear readers, is how do you feel with the notion of allowing your young ones to accompany a neighbor to their family outing? Something doesn't feel right about allowing your kids to go with a neighbor... I mean, unless, they are extremely close with the family and are like best friends for life. Since we've only known the family for a little over a week, are they out of place by asking the kids if they want to join them? I don't know. The whole thing seems a little odd and uncomfortable so I'm wondering how others have dealt with similar situations. Until then... Later.
I think we are all protective when it comes to our kids and personally unless I've known someone for many years, then I would have to decline any invitation for them to go anywhere, unless I was with them..
ReplyDeleteidk, I agree with you in saying that it would be weird to send my kids off with neighboors that I have only just met, regardless of where they were going.
ReplyDeleteOnce you are all buddy buddy with them though you might not mind.
Hey there Karen,
ReplyDeleteYeah, I think it's our protectiveness that's kicking in right now. The neighbors are still considered as strangers until you've known them for quite some time.
Yesi,
I'm still tripping on the fact that they asked our kids if they'd like to come along. Especially since they don't know them for very long either.
No, there is really nothing weird about your new neighbors asking if your kids could attend church services with them. For that is what they have been taught to do, and without trying to get into to it too deep, if they are attending the right church, your children attending will be a good thing. Therein lies the potential problem, however, and until you feel more comfortable with your new neighbors, there is absolutely nothing wrong with being cautious. For not all who claim to be Christians really are. In fact, it is shocking to know just how many truly aren't.
ReplyDeleteNo, no, no. You don't know them, you might not know which church it is and what it preaches. You don't know what they'll say to your kids. Get to know them first and make sure your kids aren't going to come home crying about how you and your wife are going to go to hell for not going to church. In my opinion, it's an odd request. A picnic, maybe. But a religious service, no.
ReplyDeleteHmm... I guess it would depend on what church and what not. But I think a week is too soon. I would wait a bit longer.
ReplyDeleteBut maybe the neighbor's kids don't like going to church? And they thought if they invited your kids it would keep them entertained and happy to go? Who knows!