Parent to Parent: Interfaith Family

WSVN -- The Kosowsky family loves to celebrate Hanukkah and they also love to celebrate Christmas.

Mia Kosowsky: "I like getting in the spirit for Christmas and Hanukkah."

Mia and Jake's parents grew up in very different households.

Stephen Kosowsky: "We were a Christian family, grew up Catholic and celebrated Christmas."

Sharilyn Jones: "My mother's Catholic and my father's Jewish so we celebrated both."

When they got together they talked a lot about how they would raise their children.

Sharilyn Jones: "When Steve and I had kids it wasn't necessarily are they Christian or are they Jewish? It was more raising them to have a relationship with God."

7's parenting expert Dr. Valerie Goode says parents should look at the holidays through the kids eyes.

Dr. Valerie Goode: "To the children it's just a celebration, it's a time that people get together, and it's a time that they receive presents."

Dr. Val says the key for parents is to set traditions whether you decorate the tree or light the Menorah, but parents can use the holidays to teach children about their different backgrounds.

Dr. Valerie GoodË: "Even if you're a totally Jewish family or a Christian family you can still help somebody else celebrate."

Jake says observing both has opened his mind.

Jake Kosowsky: "I just say I respect all the beliefs."

And Mia loves learning about her family history.

Mia "I feel like I get to know my mom's heritage and my dad's heritage."

But they all agree it's really about spending time together.

Sharilyn Jones: "It's what I look back on in my childhood and hopefully what they'll look back on too."

Lynn Martinez: "Dr. Val says there's no right way or wrong way it's whatever works for your family."