Asalam alaykum. I have two child siblings, one is 3 and one is 7. My parents are awfully zealous about shielding them from the fact I converted to islam even though they are trying their hardest themselves to be understanding towards me. So, basically they make allowances for me and don't force me to do things I don't want to do or shouldn't do (Alhamdulilah christmas went by like a breeze, they weren't angry that I didn't take part in it even though I had been worrying about that). However they still want to shield my two little brothers from anything islamic, even as far as not telling them about me reverting.
I can understand their perspective. 1) A lot about islam does conflict directly with their chosen lifestyle, this may present confusion to my little brothers. 2) They might be just a little too young to properly understand, especially the littler one.
However it's going to come out eventually. The older one is already asking questions, such as why I wasn't there on christmas day. I'd like to think that he is perhaps old enough to understand that I follow a 'religion' (for lack of a better word, and probably the easiest word for him to recognise) that doesn't celebrate christmas. He's already done some very simple religious education in school, but he doesn't remember much apparently aside from christianity and judaism. It was enough for him to gather that not everybody lives the same lifestyle as he does and not everybody celebrates the same things he does.
I remember talking to him about religion before I reverted, he said he didn't believe in anything. I said to him that he might not feel that way forever, and he should still be nice towards anyone who has different beliefs from his own. He seemed to agree and understand, but at the same time seemed quiet about it so I can't be sure.
But is 7 too young? My parents seem to think he's far far too young but I think they're underestimating his ability quite a bit (sadly, because alhamdulilah he's very bright for his age). While I will be discussing it with my mum, it would help to hear of similar situations others here have went through. Seeing as this is the family and society forum it would be surprising if someone here hadn't encountered something similar. Any advice would be great because, sad to say, I'm not good at communicating with young children!
I can understand their perspective. 1) A lot about islam does conflict directly with their chosen lifestyle, this may present confusion to my little brothers. 2) They might be just a little too young to properly understand, especially the littler one.
However it's going to come out eventually. The older one is already asking questions, such as why I wasn't there on christmas day. I'd like to think that he is perhaps old enough to understand that I follow a 'religion' (for lack of a better word, and probably the easiest word for him to recognise) that doesn't celebrate christmas. He's already done some very simple religious education in school, but he doesn't remember much apparently aside from christianity and judaism. It was enough for him to gather that not everybody lives the same lifestyle as he does and not everybody celebrates the same things he does.
I remember talking to him about religion before I reverted, he said he didn't believe in anything. I said to him that he might not feel that way forever, and he should still be nice towards anyone who has different beliefs from his own. He seemed to agree and understand, but at the same time seemed quiet about it so I can't be sure.
But is 7 too young? My parents seem to think he's far far too young but I think they're underestimating his ability quite a bit (sadly, because alhamdulilah he's very bright for his age). While I will be discussing it with my mum, it would help to hear of similar situations others here have went through. Seeing as this is the family and society forum it would be surprising if someone here hadn't encountered something similar. Any advice would be great because, sad to say, I'm not good at communicating with young children!
