I actually decided to go with my grandparents when I was little. I enjoyed it. It wasn't until my mothers boyfriend at the time accepted God that church soon became something forced.

I don't like being forced to do anything. I like being able to say "No I don't want to go." or "Sure I'll go." with anything. Not just a church thing. I didn't have that choice when he forced us to go every Sunday. It was go or go. I soon hated everything to do with Church. It didn't feel like a wonderful place like before. It started feeling like a chore and boring miserable place. To top it off it was a southern baptist church. I had to sit up be still and be silent. That just made it even worse.

My mother soon saw though how much I hated it so she put her foot down. If I didn't want to go I didn't go. If I wanted to then I could. She didn't push it on me like he did. He always said little remarks but my mother always hushed him.

Even people at church started asking her why wasn't she making me go. She always said "Why force it on her? If I force it on her she'll never want to go. Instead of bringing her to God I'm pushing her away from God by forcing it on her." and she was right. Instead of bringing me to God I soon wanted nothing to do with Him. She told me her stories of what happened and I always asked how church was though. It was like taking a horse to water. She told me everything but it was up to me if I wanted to drink the water, if I wanted to attend or not.

After my mother left the boyfriend she changed churches which I soon fell in love with. I started going to church about a year or two ago. I still can't stand when it's forced though. If I decide not to go she might say a remark here or there. A few members may message me about it and all it does is piss me off.

Like tonight at my church there is a singing. I can't stand singing. Oh my goodness it's the worst. I am a believer and I'm all for people who worship but those songs oh the songs. They get so whiny after awhile so I picked to stay home. Two people have messaged me saying I need to go. No. I don't NEED to do anything. I knew if I went I would be a complete jerk because I would feel like I was forced to go.

With that being said whenever and if ever I have kids I'm not forcing church on them. I think forcing anything on anyone is wrong. My mother is right forcing church isn't bringing anyone to God it's pushing them away from God.

I believe when the child is old enough to say yes or no on going then let them decide. You can tell them what happened at church and what not but it's up to them if they wish to believe and attend. It's always up to the person, no matter how old they are. Of course, though you shouldn't let the kid decide at 5 years old. Wait till their old enough to stay at the house for an hour or so and then let them decide.