Let's get it started..How do you infer your beliefs without indoctrination

[cally]

My teens know how I believe. They would need to be much more politically informed to argue with me. They do, but I have to not argue and present all my information. They are teens, I'm an adult, I do know more and I'm more informed. How do you instill your beliefs, accept their beliefs, while hoping they will vote and research for us all.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

1. Letting them know that there are OTHER beliefs around is a good start. nt

[WestHoustonDem]

2. I force mine to watch the SCLM and sometimes FAUX news

They do a fine job of communicating the other pont of view

[kimchi]

3. I'm not sure.

She isn't old enough to understand "beliefs" right now. She's been going to ritual since before she was born. But if she decides she doesn't want to go anymore; that is fine. I would actually welcome my friends taking her to mosque/synagogue/church when she is older.

Oh; you mean political beliefs.:spank:

REALLY not sure. I suppose if she sees me treating people equally, and volunteering, she will learn through experience. I hope she will learn compassion and the fact that life isn't always fair. She is only two; so I suspect I should try to grow that innate part of her that we tend to lose; the part that loves unconditionally.

[robbedvoter]

4. My 6 y o has been with us to rallies , giving out flyers since a baby

I don't feel the need to indoctrinate. I know that my passion about my ideas will make an impression on her .
Frankly, I believe in the power of example.
She's been with me in the voting booth, I explained to her "voting for" (primaries) , "voting against" - and she sees me heartbroken that something as precious as the right to vote is been tampered with.

[blondeatlast]

5. As the daughter of 2nd generation yellow dogs, now raising a 4th,

I just picked it up. My mom was very active in a '60s suburban mom way, PTA, LWV, local Dems. They were a bit too old for the "protest" '60s, but my mom wrote LTTE, congress, etc. Both m&d always answered any questions my sisters and I had very directly, and suggested we learn for ourselves as well.

Now I see my son doing the same. He enjoys going to rallies, always meets other kids at them. He's only 7, but shows progressive tendencies already!

One thing I'm proud of, he's always very respectful of homeless people, as I am. I work at a public library where they often congregate, and he has simply learned that they are as deserving of respect as anyone and it costs nothing to offer it. One of them knows him by name and slways talks to him when he's there.

If you are involved, I think it just happens.

[leftofthedial]

6. we talk

daughters 11 and 16.

I ask them what they think about current events or issues

I do swear and mutter about f**king republicans on a regular basis.

They are possibly harder core than me.

[SmokingJacket]

7. Discuss everything -- and let them make up their own minds.

At least, that's my plan. My older one is only seven, and very much a liberal. I worry that I've "indocrinated" him, but heck, he's too young to have broken away from his parents' beliefs yet so I think it's fine.

I DO want him to know he can make up his own mind and disagree with me in the future, if that's what happens. I try not to present my opinions as absolutes (except for a few, like, You must be KIND!).

Just my opinion, but I think the very act of questioning everything will lead to a more or less liberal world view.

[truthpusher]

8. By example n/t

[BigMcLargehuge]

9. ding ding ding!!!!!!

that's exactly the answer I was going to type.

[SoCalDem]

10. Never talk "down" to them tell them the truth (even if it hurts)

DO NOT EVER ARGUE WITH THEM..

I never raised my voice to my kids (well rarely)... I let them say their piece, and then calmly told them I did not agree, and since I was in charge..that was the end of it.

There were slammed doors and some verbal attacks, but they always came out of their rooms a while later and apologized :)

Arguing puts them on YOUR level, and saps your authority..

They do not need you as a friend..they need you as a parent.. You can be their friend when they are grown up and moved out :) (ours are just that now..they call and ask for all kinds of advice)

(end of sermon from an old mom )

[sandnsea]

11. Question Everything

I questioned them even on things I agreed with. I don't do that so much anymore. But when they wanted info on voting for state initiatives, I just threw out a couple of questions and was amazed at how quickly they came to their own conclusions and fully comprehended the consequences of some of our more stupid intitiatives. I have an anarchist, a waffler, a liberal and a pragmatic. They're all Democrats, but differ a little in their views and solutions. So I don't think I indoctrinated them, not too much anyway. :)