It is now school holidays in Turkey which means that Daughter has survived her first term in the Turkish village school. She has survived classes where no one speaks her language. She has navigated the social minefields of school life and made friends with kids and teachers alike. She has gotten in trouble for talking in class, picked a fight to protect a friend and even got called into the principal’s office on one occasion. She has also received her first Ilkogretim Orgenci Karnesi. Her Elementary Student Report Card.
How did Daughter do?
You have probably already guessed that I am not only of those mother’s who brag about how wonderful and talented and amazing their child is. I would rather call a spade a spade. I will merely say that for a kid who four months ago was coasting along in a suburban school in Sydney she did pretty well. She got a Certificate for passing the term (which is a good thing apparently). She received 4’s and 5’s for most subjects (highest is a 5). She got a 4 in Turkce which is pretty good considering it is not her first language. The only subject she got a “2” in is Din Kulturu ve anlak bilgisi also known as “Religion”.
Long ago I made the decision to allow Daughter to choose her own religion when she was old enough to make an informed determination. It is not to me as the parent to force something as important as spirituality on my child. I always gave her the information when requested. I took her to Sunday school classes at our local church, arranged for her to meet other Muslim families in our area and even enrolled her in Buddhism classes at Bondi. We often attended the Hari Krishna Centre at North Sydney (best vegetarian samosa’s around) and I even explained the religion of Jedism (alright so perhaps I made her watch Star Wars with me). I gave her the tools to learn about spirituality in her own way – and she has. This is why a double lesson of Din must send her closer to the edge and also explains why she hates her Friday’s so much.
I have, however, made one suggestion to her –
“Please do not argue with the Din Ogretmeni (Religion Teacher) again about Islam as this causes him to go red in the face and gesticulate in a manner that made your father laugh and made me flinch. It also means that we do not need to make another trip up to the Principal’s Office on your behalf. Thank you.”
janeyinmersin 
I love this. I admire your way of “teaching” her religion and letting her find her own path. You know at least that she’s not indifferent, from the sounds of that last paragraph hehe.
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She is absolutely opinionated on the subject but perhaps her opinion is not seconded by her teacher at school. It is for her to take the gently, gently approach rather than go “like a bull in a china shop” so to speak.
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Yeah, I suppose religion is a subject to be careful about publicizing our strong opinions and something we should be respectful of, whether we agree or not.
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Religion is always an iffy subject. Suffice it to say that we all have our Beliefs, something that we are comfortable with. Encouraging your daughter to make up her own mind is admirable.
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I always felt it was important to treat Daughter as an individual with her own mind not become part of the “pack mentality” of today’s society. It is my job to mould her mind only for her mind is her own.
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Interesting post! I am happy that you have such a talented daughter! Congrats! How many ours a week do they teach religion? /ola
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Two lesson so I think it’s 2 hours. Sounds horrid.
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Not too much though! Could be worse!
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Yay she survived!! Sounds like she is doing an awesome job. I told the boys they didn’t have to do religion so it makes a huge difference in attitude for them and me. Well done Daughter
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You have to do religion here unfortunately. Not quite as forward thinking as I would have hoped lol
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Its great that you let her make her own mind up, I was brought up in the Catholic school system and I can draw so many parallels working in a religious school over here. Inevitably I did make my mind up even though religion was very much force fed to me!! By the way I noticed I may have unfollowed you by accident I have a tablet now its done it to a few people!! Touch screens aren’t my friend.
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oh it is so hard to learn to listen! especially when we are listening to the ‘truths’ of others that do not match our experiences! You are doing an excellent job of exposure and modeling! ( including the laughter of the father – as I believe we must always hold sacred cows lightly – else they will never fly! – and still we must show respect for the paths of others.)
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What a lovely remark and so true. Daughter is still learning and will probably continue to learn through life. Respect is definitely the key when dealing with or learning about religion.
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