Provoking Thoughts for Parents
Growing Where They are Planted
An important part of connecting with our kids when it comes to spiritual matters is to find things that interest them. This is a topic we will explore for a couple of issues but first we all need to do some extra footwork.
It is amazing how many parents assume they know what their kids are thinking but yet they never ask. We would be surprised at some of the answers we get when we ask our kids their thoughts, not only on spiritual matters but also on life issues themselves. Usually kids have very spiritual insight into life without relating to it as such.
I remember a specific time when my house was in turmoil with one of my other children and the family was suffering behind his choices. What was profound was my (at the time) 12 year old son and his take on the current situation.
When I asked him what he thought about what was going on he said to me, “In the end, everything will work out exactly how it was suppose to.”
I remember being amazed at his incredible sense of grounding while the adults were running around incredibly emotional.
We could rationalize this by remembering that kids are much closer to remembering or recently coming from the process of rebirth and spiritual connectedness that comes from being born. Adults move further away from the sense of connection with the universe and spiritual process of birth and rebirth as we grow older and life’s problems take its toll.
We also assume that we have to teach our kids spiritual foundation and what if that is the wrong approach? What if it is that we are suppose to just capitalize on what our kids already know spiritually and intuitively. The famous saying says that we grow where we are planted. It changes our perspective if we consider that our kids are already spiritually planted and we are just suppose to provide water, not uproot the plant.
Isn’t that what we want when we are learning from a spiritual mentor or a High Priest or Priestess? I can clearly remember feeling belittled by my ex-mentor and thinking in my head, “I know so much more than she thinks I do!”
And what if we are suppose to be learning as much from our children about spirituality as we are suppose to be teaching them.
Hmmmm…………. Well that is a lot of food for thought.
As we explore this topic a little further, we need to dig a little deeper to know exactly where are children are rooted.
Here is a couple of suggestions of questions or things we can do on our quest this month.
And depending on the age of your child you will be able to ask the questions differently.
- Do you pray at night? And if yes, to who?
- What does god/goddess/spirit look like to you? Can you draw it?
- What do you feel about religion?
- Do you have friends that are religious or go to church? How does that make you feel?
- Do you know what the elements are?
- What things do you like to do that make you feel special?
- Can you close your eyes and imagine special places or different things?
- Do you ever remember your dreams and if so, what are some of them about?
This list could go on but this is just some ideas, don’t attempt them in a drill sergeant kind of way. Some of these questions should be worked into a conversation or else it might be strange to just ask the question right after your kid comes inside from skateboarding.
If anyone attempts this during the month and finds out something great or interesting, please email me and lets share with each other.
Let’s begin to explore and learn from our kids!! Ready, set…………….go!!
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author bio:
Rev. Cyrstal
I am a 29-year-old Pagan mother, been married for seven years. I am very close to my family and my parents. I work full-time in the drug and alcohol treatment field. I have been a practicing Pagan for about four years. I consider myself to be an eclectic Wiccan/Pagan. I try not to limit or label myself. My passions in life are my family, enjoying a good book, learning what life has to offer, connecting with my spiritual self, giving back to my community and spending time with good friends.