With my older children I taught them my pagan beliefs with terms that could not mark them out as too different. The Goddess and God were mother and father nature. Rituals and circles were gatherings and spiritual discussions… With my youngest things have been different. I wrote a book on pagan parenting in 2006 with ideas for celebrating the seasonal festivals and a couple of essays about pagan parent life and felt it was ok to get it out and published. My youngest has started school last year and the school and the family liaison officer all have copies of the book. They try to include stuff from it at assemblies along with the other ‘cultural’ activities. I am on the school board as a governor and was on her nursery committee before. I have been invited to speak at interfaith groups and do what ever I can to emphasise the truth about pagan parenting and remove the biaise as much as possible.
I think it must be hard for you when you have a town with a ‘small town’ mentality, but I also think that hiding and being secretive gives people ammunition.
Its difficult and I can only say it depends on the individual situation.
Maybe not words of comfort but things do change – as I have hopefully described with my own experience.

rachelx

When I teach, we start out with simple things, general explanations and topics like personal space, manners, and phases of the moon. Colors, especially since the youngest is learning hers, are also a common topic relating to magic and feelings. Hopefully this Spring I can start making the youngest one’s BOS, which will be more like a learning book to begin with. I wear my pentacle and don’t hide it either. However, my daughter was told to take off her triskele at school. I pointed out that it is a common symbol and shouldn’t be shunned if crosses and Star of Davids aren’t.

Thank you again for your insight and feelings. It feels good to know others think and feel as I do.

Blessings and Light!

good luck with what ever you choose

many blessings.

It was the same with us, really. My kids got me into paganism, although I’d leaned that way for years.

Being pagan cannot harm your kids.
People who get offended by them being pagan? They most assuredly can and probably will try. This is where school authorities and your own confidence are paramount.

My daughter was having trouble in middle school, including death threats posed as Bible verses. We consulted the vice principal, who was in charge of discipline. And she pointed me at the two worst offenders. I loomed over the boys, 6′ of angry red-headed mama bear. “Boys, I hear you’ve given my girl some trouble. Do you KNOW where little witches come from?” They shook their heads. “Mama witches. Now, if you don’t want to wake up in the bayou catching flies with your tongue, you’ll leave her alone.”

She hasn’t had any trouble since. And she’s very out of the broom closet at school and socially.

My 9 year old understands that we are to do no harm. And she understands it would harm her grandma deeply to know we aren’t Christian any more. So she says nothing. But she also refuses to put up with the missionaries at the after-school care.

They go to rituals. My teen does her own practice. My baby and I are reading through A Witch’s Primer: Grade 1.

Be proud of who you are. If you are hit with questions by the general public answer them. If not then who cares what thay think. I’m sure you know children learn by example.
Blessed Be Storm Crow

The day following Mabon
my son would either go to school late
or would skip it altogether.
I explained to the teachers that we had ritual celebration
the night before, and never had a problem.

I helped run a local food shelf for many years
which was directly affiliated with the local churches.
For the most part,
folks saw us for who we are.
They sometimes asked questions
and I did my best to break stereotypes.

I encouraged my children
to listen to EVERY story
affiliated with ALL Ways of Faith.
I taught them to look for
those details of similarity
(like the many versions of the story
of the ark and the great flood).
I also emphasized that,
regardless of what specific paths taught,
that ALL faiths are based on stories.

They liked stories.
I read them Greek myths,
fairy tales,
and christian parabells,
in addition to any other good stuff I found.
I most enjoyed learning Creation Stories from all over.

My kids went to any religious services they wanted
(though, it was limited in such an areas as we lived).
They occasionally attended church school at UCC and Baptist churches,
as well as more frequent visits to share in the love
at the neighbors: a Benedictine monastery.
We were embraced in all places we went.

I did my best to teach them
not to judge,
but to grasp
that people were simply afraid
when they did not understand.

One UCC pastor encouraged my ordination,
knowing I was a woman of strong faith.
I laughed at him then,
but it turned out, he was prophetic.

Another minister used to be afraid of me
and she was the ONLY one who ever
said a cross word towards us
regarding our Pagan faith.
(this was her problem, not ours).

I hear you say
that you hide your sacred symbol.
Perhaps when you are not fearful
you’ll not draw such fear to you
in the eyes of others.

Get out in the community
volunteering as a leader for kids,
visiting the elderly,
feeding the hungry,
cleaning up in the area,
holding doors for those who cannot
and using good manners.
Attend town meetings.
Join school committees,
or whatever appeals to you.
Smile at folks in line at the bank
and the grocery store.

It is in the walk of Faith
and Belief in the Sacred
that you project your Self to others.
Let them see you for who you are.
Let them see how Real Witches live.

Or not,
that’s just how I did it.

You must walk your own path.

Lastly, I will add,
my kids (my son, especially)
learned early to use a “bubble”
to protect him and icky vibes
and to empower himself in a good way.
Certainly, use age-appropriate words,
but I must add,
my kids never came home
telling me that classmates teased them
for being a witch.

They got teased for other things,
as most kids do endure,
but NOT that!

There is MUCH to benefit your children
when they are raised with a strong belief
in who they are.

I taught kids, when they asked,
that Magic is the act of shifting energy.
As in: if a kid makes art for a parent
and gifts it to the adult on a day
when the parent is low…
does that adult smile?
If so, the child has worked Magic.
They got it, for the most part, easily.

Just saying.