For those who celebrate Easter

ammommy wrote: I know not everyone celebrates Easter, but for those of you who do---when did you start teaching your children the real reason for the holiday? Alec knows that Christmas is a celebration of a birth, but when do you explain the celebration of a death and resurrection? For that matter, how do you explain it? Also, how do you tie in the Easter bunny, candy part of it?
I think that it's too early to start talking to a 3yo about something as abstract as this, but a neighbor has already started with her 3yos. Of course, they have started having nightmares of people dying, so maybe that answers my question. Any thoughts?

MommyToAshley replied: I was actually wondering the same thing the last few days... I am glad you asked. Ashley also knows that Christmas is "baby Jesus's birthday" and she always points out baby Jesus in a manger scene. But, I too wondered how you explain why we celebrate Easter to a two year old.

coasterqueen replied: I was wondering this too.

Maddie&EthansMom replied: Maddie is almost 5 and she learned this at school. She attends a Christian preschool. The other day she was outside and I was watching her thru the window and she had her hands folded and was looking to Heaven. She was praying. I heard bits and pieces of what she was saying (since I was listening thru the window). She was talking to God about Easter. She said "Thank you for giving us Jesus. Thank you Jesus for dying on the cross for me. " She talked about Easter and the resurrection (although she didn't call it that). It was such a sweet and proud moment for me. I shared it with another friend and wanted to post about it on the board so bad, but didn't feel it was appropriate. With that being said, I think she has been taught in a subtle way about these things over the past 2 years, but this year she really understands. I'm not certain how to go about 'teaching' this to them. Other than just telling them the story about how Jesus did something so wonderful for us b/c He loved us so much. You can always elaborate as they get older. I wouldnt' say much b/c more than likely they won't ask too many questions at 2. kwim? Maddie has lots of Easter books as well.

I hope this answers your questions.

kimberley replied: our church has a children's mass where they teach them about these things in a way that isn't disturbing. they don't use the word "died", they say he gave his life for us. i know that is the same thing but for some reason it is less upsetting to the kids. maybe you can ask your church if they have something like this. my boys also didn't know the easter bunny until they hit school age and heard it there. i don't agree with commercializing such important religious events with santa and the easter bunny, but i don't shelter them from it either. they know that is just a fun game for kids but understand the real reason we celebrate these holidays. the church also has a ton of fun resources you can use at home... coloring books, reading books, videos etc. and i don't think 3yo is too young.

atlantamomof2 replied: We also celebrate Easter and Christmas as Christians. Last year was the first year (and Maggie is almost 5) that we talked about the real meaning of Christmas and just a few days ago she wanted to know how God can be in you, so I told her about why we celebrate Easter. I was really amazed at her interest! I omitted the part about the cross, though (just saying that he died for us-she didn't ask for more info. and I'm not sure that she needs to know that this year)
The way my DH and I look at it is, when they show interest or are obvoiusly old enough to understand something, then that's the right time. (And that's going to be a different age for each child )

atlantamomof2 replied: Oh, and about the Easter Bunny thing....we fill a basket with a little bit of candy and usually a stuffed animal and it's in her room on Easter morning; but she knows it's from us not a bunny. I don't disagree with people who DO say it was from a bunny (Heck, we do the Santa Clause thing! ), we just don't want to include that with Easter.

lovemyboy replied: Well my son is still much too young as he's still a baby. But I will begin teaching him very early. As early as 2. It's very important to me and my family. I say start when you think your child is ready. Good Luck!

MommyToAshley replied: Thanks, it has been interesting reading all your ideas and thoughts on the subject.
(Before you read my post, I thought I should say it deals a lot with religion and what we believe)

I just thgouth I would share that we got a few children's books from the library this week about Easter. Some of the things I thought were too old for Ashley, but one of the books used the term rebirth. I am sure she doesn't understand that term, but at age 2 it is less scary.

One book was cute and had a little girl asking her Daddy about Easter and the meaning behind the different ways we celebrate Easter. In the book, the little girl tells her Dad that they didn't talk about the Easter Bunny in Sunday school. The father goes on to explain that The Easter bunny doesn't have anything to do with the real Easter. But the Easter bunny, along with the new leaves and flowers, new baby kittens and chicks, is part of how we celebrate spring. And, Spring is God's picture of Jesus as he rises as all of natures thing's come to life again. Then the girl asks about the eggs, and the father explains that tradition has to do with lent... that many Christians remember the suffering of Jesus and gave up certain foods, including eggs. When Easter arrived, Christians celebrated the new life in Christ and the sad time of not eating was over, it was time for an Easter feast. Years ago, because eggs made people think of new life, they were brought to the table colored red for Easter Joy... thus the tradition of coloring Easter eggs began.

A lot of that was probably too complicated for Ashley to understand, but I loved how the book tied some of the traditions today into the meaning behind Easter. I think I will just go with the flow, and look for more resources that help to gently explain what Easter is all about.

MommyToAshley replied:
Aweee that is so sweet. I am amazed at how much she udnerstands, and how compassionate she is. What a wonderful little girl, you should be very proud!

elvisfan replied: My boys ages 7, 3, and 2 all know the meaning of easter. (although I'm not sure the 2 yr old gets it yet!) Being a pastor's wife they attend church a lot and it is a part of our daily lives.

ammommy replied:
That sounds great! Do you have the name of the book?

I got a book from the Catholic bookstore, but I know he doesn't get it quite yet. At least it's a start. It uses "gave his life" and "rebirth" too and that's a lot less scary.
Thanks for all of the tips folks!

Jamison'smama replied: I would like to know the name of that book as well.