It's Fat Tuesday! Are you (and your family) giving something up for Lent?

I suddenly realized yesterday that Wednesday -- that's tomorrow!! -- is the beginning of Lent. I'm an Episcopalian by marriage, and my favorite part of the faith that's different from my Baptist roots is Lent. The concept of sacrificing something in concert with millions of others is a ritual that feels right in my bones.

Since I've recently joined the 'eat local' movement, I've been eliminating processed, industrial foods from my family's diet. One exception (of several) I've made up until now has been sugar -- though I've sworn off packaged cookies and candies and the like, I've been buying pound after pound of organic sugar and baking it into all kinds of high-glycemic goodies. I think that I'm giving up sugar (but not honey, as it's local and thoroughly part of nature) for Lent.

The problem with me giving up sugar is that, as chief baker for a houseful I've dragged along on mission: eat local, I'm forcing the rest of my family to give it up, too. Forced religion or good mojo? I can't decide. Are you giving up anything for Lent? Is your family, too, an unwilling participant in your sacrifice?

Children and their religion

There are many things that have got me thinking about this subject of late, and I know we have had short chats about it in the past -- "Why does Eleanor celebrate Annika?" and Religion after Kids.  Recently, our family been dealing with the loss of two loved ones, and our faith is surfacing.  We have also decided to prepare our oldest daughter for some of her first Catholic sacraments.  And, of course, with Hannukah and Christmas and many more holidays on their way, it's gotten me thinking.

Do you consider yourself religious?  What do you choose to pass on to your children?  What do you choose to NOT pass on?

Jewish Moms Group

Debby, the fearless organizer of JMamas, has arranged for another get-together.  See below:

Portland JMamas (Jewish moms) are getting together on Saturday, February 24 at 10am at Extracto on 2921 NE Killingsworth St., across from Milagros and Cup and Saucer. JMoms, Jkids, and even JDads welcome! We will be making plans for a family pot luck seder on April 7th or 8th (night 6 or 7 of Passover) so be sure to join us and bring your great ideas! For more information about the group, get-together, or joining our yahoo group, please contact Debby, mousecat86@aol.com

Jewish Mama Get-Together

In a recent thread on urbanMamas on Happy Holidays, many Jewish mamas expressed interest in getting together.  If you're interested, please email Debby at Mousecat86@aol.com.

I was wondering if the other J-Mamas (Jewish moms) who posted that they would like to meet could email  me privately so we can start planning a time and place to get together? I would hate to see us forget to do this with all of the excitement of the holidays (Chinese food and movies) and new year (Rosh Hashana the sequel???).  I look forward to meeting everyone.

UPDATE: Debby emailed to let us know she's had a great response of interested mamas wanting to get together. Join other Jewish mamas at an informal gathering on Saturday, January 13, 10am at Urban Grind.

Religion after kids

Erica's post got me to thinking about how my attitude toward religion has changed since I had kids. My beliefs are basically the same as they always were -- I'm a pretty secular gal -- but I do find myself drawn to the traditions of organized religion. Something else, too...I find religion connects me to the older generations of my family, if only by association.

My parents taught me very little about my religious and cultural background. It never mattered to me until now, when I find myself totally unequipped to answer my kids' questions about our beliefs and history. I'm scraping along, but it's pretty seat of the pants sometimes.

And so, I'm looking into religious education for my kids (Sunday school sort of thing). I hope to learn along with them. I also hope that, whatever religion they ultimately follow (or not), they will understand the religion they were born into -- even if our family doesn't subscribe to the particulars. They'll at least have a starting point from which to begin their exploration.

"Why does Eleanor celebrate Annika?"

On our ride home from school the other day, Jackson asked me, "Why does Eleanor celebrate Annicka?"  I found myself stuck.  I don't know how to discuss religion at all.  I guess my biggest concern is trying to discuss the idea of a God and/or Jesus without sounding like too much of a skeptic.  Jackson's question made me realize that I am pretty certain I don't believe in a God or Jesus.  But, I want to let him make his own decisions about religion.  As a kid, I went to Sunday school up to my first communion and attended a Jewish day camp.  I preferred Friday's challah bread and grape juice to Sunday's communion wafers. 

My concern is that I'm only showing Jackson the commercial side of Christmas.  I don't know how to explain the religious aspect of the holiday from an objective point of view.  Lately, we've been heading into the church after school (his school is in part of the church) because Jackson likes to check out the stained glass and the beautiful Christmas tree.  I find myself wondering if I should take him for a service one Sunday.  Or, maybe like me, he just prefers to admire the beautiful church interior and the enjoy quiet open space.

Does anyone know of a good way to introduce religion?  Maybe a book that presents all different religions and belief systems.  Is 3 too early to be trying to discuss religion?  I'd love any suggestions.