Recon Parenting

[Hellenic_Witch]

Just curious: how many recons share your path with your children? Do you teach them your prectices and faith? Or do you keep it private? Or do you share with them your path, but leave it optional for them?

EDITING TO ADD: If you are not a parent yet (or your children are very young), you can share what you intend to do in the future.

[Hellenic_Witch]

bump

[Morr]

Just curious: how many recons share your path with your children? Do you teach them your prectices and faith? Or do you keep it private? Or do you share with them your path, but leave it optional for them?

EDITING TO ADD: If you are not a parent yet (or your children are very young), you can share what you intend to do in the future.


I'm not a parent YET :D

I plan on sharing my beliefs and path with my children, teaching them what I believe in, explaining it to them. However, their father has a totally different system of beliefs, and they will learn it too and he will explain it to them as well. They will be raised to respect all religions and faiths, and will have the freedom of developing their own spirituality and path.

[Hærfest Leah]

I plan on sharing my beliefs and path with my children, teaching them what I believe in, explaining it to them. However, their father has a totally different system of beliefs, and they will learn it too and he will explain it to them as well. They will be raised to respect all religions and faiths, and will have the freedom of developing their own spirituality and path.

Ditto, Our 2 girls are very young, 3 1/3 yrs & 20 months. I don't do any big rituals or anything but our oldest one watches me give wight offerings and asks whose in the pictures on my ancestral altar. She even has her own tarot deck she looks at, Whimsical tarot. I do teach her some Pagan things but not much at this age. My husband has an interest in Kemet but hardly has time to study it himself so he's not thinking much on teaching it to the kids right yet. But I say who couldn't benefit form learning about the Egyptians right? She is also interested in his Anubis statue also, she calls him a puppy.

As for my Heathenry I have been gradually introducing parts of it to the entire household and the way we live. It is the way you live so it's in the decor, the Belgian & German (heck even Celtic) cooking I do, a bit of rune here some witchcraft there. My husband doesn't mind a bit although Heathenry isn't his interest because he knows he descends from the ancient Celts & Germans also. He does ask me questions here & there at times tho. I think he's just indecisive & hesitant to pick a "path" and going full head on with it.

Back to the original question....

When they grow up I'd like to see the girls continue on what I call a blood related path (Celtic or Germanic) or way of life but if they do not I hope whatever they do choose (if any) makes them feel happy and at home.

[Duwayitheru]

I will share my religion with my children if/when I have them. I would expect my fiance to do the same. Also, I will show them other religions too, and they may choose what they want to follow. :)

[Xirian]

My 9-year-old son and his friend have discussions about religion regularly. He's always mentioning to me what they've talked about and how they don't completely agree with each other, but it appears that they respect each other's ideas and opinions.

I have given him information to read on my particular religion and personal path, but he has other ideas and doesn't seem all that interested in mine. I would happily include him and during some holidays, I do. But I do not want to force my religion or spiritual path on him. I would love to pass down what I know and soon I will ask him again if he is interested.

If religion hadn't have been forced on me when I was younger, I may have been more agressive about religion in regards to him. But religion interests him and as long as that is the case, I will leave him be.

[MysticWitch]

I discuss my path, but do not usually include them or involve them in anyway :cheers:

[fangedeshana]

I have plans on teaching my kids about my spirituality, and including them in holiday celebrations.

My partner is agnostic, though it will be a while until we have children and anything could happen there.

My children will be taught that there are many religions, and that all should be respected. Hopefully I'll being them up to be tollerant, well educated people.

[Mòrag Elasaid Ní Dhòmhnaill]

I do share my religion with my son. He says prayers in the morning and evening that we've worked out together, I tell him the lore, and include him in appropriate portions of the ritual celebrations (for example berry picking at Lunasdal or the cutting and decorating of the May Bough at Beltainne) on the feast days. At 3 he is to young to be included in all of the ritual activities, but I do let him participate in those that he can handle.

My husband and I will also teach him about other religions and while I would like him to continue on in my religion, it is ultimately up to him what he decides to do with his life.

[Libris]

I want to share my religion with my daughter but I also want to teach her about other religions so she can make up her own mind.

[Tim]

I have not specifically taught my children my religion... but I've come to the realization that is wrong... I should... but with my wife a Christian (who has increasingly had issues with my beliefs), I don't think that will be possible until they are older.

[Hellenic_Witch]

It's been a while since I started this thread, but I wanted to share this.

Obviously I started this thread because I am a parent and my religion is very important to me. I have a desire to share it with my children, but I also want them to have knowledge of other religions/paths so that they make their own choices. So I haven't pressed my religion on them, but I do let them know what I am doing and I do read Greek myths to them.

This past weekend we went on a trip to South Padre Island. Sadly, it rained most of our trip. The day we finally got to go to the beach, well, the winds were very strong. It was very cloudy. No sun to be seen AT ALL! The waves were very strong and we just went to the beach just so the kids could see the ocean.

Just as I was looking at the waves, I was thinking that even though it's not what other people would consider "perfect weather", I found it so wild and beautiful; nature in its element. And just as I was thinking that, I was holding my three year old (trying to balance an umbrella over his head). My daughter was rolling her jeans up so they wouldn't get wet. My husband was collecting sea shells. And my oldest son (age nine) suddenly looked at me (in the midst of all this chaos) and said "I feel like talking to Poseidon today."

That stopped me in my tracks. It was such a simple statement, and so lovely. Our eyes met, and I could see that he was as moved by the waves as I was. And that maybe those surrounding us may not pick up on it, he understood. He knew the god of those waves and he wanted to acknowledge that.

That's my boy.

[Athena-Nadine]

How beautiful. I got chills reading that. :)

[Hellenic_Witch]

How beautiful. I got chills reading that. :)

I got chills when it happened.

Whats funny is I haven't read or told him much about Poseidon. He seemed much more interested in Heracles. And Prometheus. But only just because they were just cool stories. Other than that, the only myth he's been even remotely interested in is how Perseus killed Medusa.

When he talked about Posiedon, I believe it was because he was moved. We've talked about it since then, and he asked me what incense Poseidon likes. :)

So far, everything he has asked about seems out of respect for the gods. I'm a hard polytheist, so I try to instill in my children a respect and reverence for all gods and goddesses and all religions. Whatever path they choose will be fine with me.

But I have to admit, when my son spoke about Poseidon, I was moved and thrilled. I never thought about it before, but I would be so moved if my children shared my path.

[Athena-Nadine]

Of course. :) I think we get so used to practicing our religion alone that we don't give much thought to what it's like to be able to share our reverence and worship. It's such a deep part of who we are that we can't help but want to share it with those we love.

Herakles and Prometheus are a bit more interesting to a child, I'm sure. Much more interesting stories! ;) Poseidon has a special place in my heart as I worship Him and Athene mainly (Heh...it makes for some interesting times!), though I pay daily respects to all of the Dodecatheon. I've been feeling like I haven't been living up to my responsibilities to Him lately, so it's funny that I saw this tonight (or maybe not so funny, really ;) ).

[Hellenic_Witch]

Also, for any other Hellenic Reconstuctionists wanting to shar eany part of their path with their children, let them visit wingedsandals.com (http://www.wingedsandals.com)

I visited it with my kids, and they have short cartoons of a few myths: Persephone & Demeter, Perseus & Medusa, Orpheus & Euridice, Apollo & his oracle. I hope that they will expand on this and include other myths in the future.

[Hellenic_Witch]

Of course. :) I think we get so used to practicing our religion alone that we don't give much thought to what it's like to be able to share our reverence and worship. It's such a deep part of who we are that we can't help but want to share it with those we love.

Herakles and Prometheus are a bit more interesting to a child, I'm sure. Much more interesting stories! ;) Poseidon has a special place in my heart as I worship Him and Athene mainly (Heh...it makes for some interesting times!), though I pay daily respects to all of the Dodecatheon. I've been feeling like I haven't been living up to my responsibilities to Him lately, so it's funny that I saw this tonight (or maybe not so funny, really ;) ).

I know. Before this past weekend, I felt as if I was so wrapped up in my every day life, that I was ignoring some aspects of my religion. I was feeling a bit guilty. And then he made that simple statement, and it brought it all home. That moment awakened a bond between me and my son (that was unexpected) and it awakened me, in more ways than one.

I'm so grateful for that moment.

[Agaliha]

Not a Recon here (_inabox_) hope that's not a problem.

I voted: I share my path with them, but let them know they can make their own choices when they grow older

I would let my kids (if I ever had any) to learn and decide for themselves, perhaps teach them about all the faiths of the world, stuff like that.

Unless it's a bona fide cult I don't care what they follow.

[Hellenic_Witch]

Not a Recon here (_inabox_) hope that's not a problem.

I voted: I share my path with them, but let them know they can make their own choices when they grow older

I would let my kids (if I ever had any) to learn and decide for themselves, perhaps teach them about all the faiths of the world, stuff like that.

Unless it's a bona fide cult I don't care what they follow.

Recon or not, I like to know what others would share with their kids.

[Avalanche]

I don't plan on havign my own children, although I would consider adoption. I would share my religion with them just like I share it with any of my friends that get curious. I would also want them to know about other religions and would let my mother (Catholic) share her religion with them. I don't think she'd try anything "evil" and try to scare/convert them. I'd definately want my children to find a faith that suits them.

[ObsessedFae86]

OOh interesting topic. That whole bit about your son and the ocean and how he was moved by it..that was so amazing.
I voted: I share my path with my children and hope they will follow it.
Once Charlie is old enough(2 years old right now.) to understand what religion is and isn't, I would like to show him how I believe but ultimately its his choice what he wants to believe. I have no problem with that. Of course, deep down I'de like to share my faith with my son and have him share it back with me :)

[Malcolm]

I answer as many questions as I can, but where do you draw the line? How do you explain to a four year old shades of grey? If your patron is amoral at best, a monster at worst...and speaking to others about him always starts a debate, what then?

like I said I answer as many questions as I can and try and stear my child away from my particular version because I don't think she is old enough to really understand it. So in a sense I guess I am teaching my child my path just in a different way.

[Torulf]

I will leave it up to my children to find their own way in this world. Sure I will be there to guide them but I will support them whatever way they should chose. I think it is important that everyone may chose his or her own path. To interfer and force a belief upon them is something I consider horrible!

[patch]

I want my children to grow up knowing and understanding what I do.
But I will also teach them to be accepting of other religions.

When the are old enough to know what they believe, I'll be fine with any path they choose to take. But I'd be extra happy if they followed in my footsteps.

[Victor Violet]

Well I'm not a recon though I am looking into recon paths, so I hope that counts :thumbsup:.

I plan on adopting kids and I want to teach them many religions. I want them to know what different religions are about. I want them to celebrate Yule, a Christian Easter, visit a mosque, learn about the myths and legends surrounding any religion that I can think of. That way they will learn about, and hopefully respect, a large number of religions. I won't teach some of them myself (such as Judeo-Christian religions) since I don't understand some and might do a disservice to them but I'll let family, friends, and priests explain what I do not understand (as long as they don't try to convert them). Ultimately, I'll hope that they follow a Pagan path but I will not force them or try to teach them only my Path. There is few things that I would agree with forcing on children when it comes to beliefs (though I do plan on raising them vegan and letting them make the choice when they are much older on whether to eat meat).

I got a little bit long winded but that's my plans when it comes to children and religion.

Victor Violet