Parenting During the Holidays

This post was originally published on Masalamommas.com. 

“Mom, I’ve decided I want to be a Christian now,” declared my six-year-old as she got in the car on her last day of school before winter break. She was upset.

“Well, hello, my doll! How was your day at school?” I pretended that I did not hear what she had said. I didn’t really want to deal with her remark. The holidays are busy as it is. I had just gotten done with the gift giving for the school staff and was far from being done with gifts for friends, family, neighbors, and clients. And now my daughter wanted to jump from Hinduism to Christianity!

“My day was fine. Thank you for asking, Mama,” said Nitasha. “But did you hear what I said?”

Knowing my daughter, I knew I could not ignore her declaration. “I did, Tash. You said you want to be a Christian now, right?”

“Then why did you pretend not to hear me, Mama?”

“Because I had to think about what you said and how I should answer it.”

“How about thinking out loud because I really want you to help me,” she said with her voice cracking. “I don’t know how to become a Christian.” Now she was sobbing. “It’s hard when you want something and you don’t know what to do. If I become  Christian, will you stay Hindu? I don’t want to be Christian alone. What about Papa and my brother and grandma? What if I have to be a Christian all alone?” Now she was crying hard and loud.

Trying to keep a straight face, I said, “I know this is hard, my love. I’m going to pull over, and we will talk about this, ok?”

“Ok, Mama. But please help me. I’m so sad.” (Continue reading.)

 

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