Sharing Your Beliefs With Your Children Incognito

I have mentioned before that living in the bible belt does not make it easy to be open about paganism with your children.  I have worked out ways to sneak it in with minimal effort.

• Celebrate the earth in small ways daily: recycle, grow a garden, look at the stars, take a nature walk, discuss the changing of the seasons.
• Pray before dinner and bedtime.  We use the words Mother Earth, Luna, or no title at all when referring to the goddess.  Check out the post here and here for a few sample prayers we use.
• Spend time outdoors as much as possible: swimming, hiking, collecting herbs, playing with your animals, feeding the ducks, etc.
• Read pagan or nature themed bedtime stories.  My boys' favorites are Grandfather Twilight, The Sun Egg, Christopher's Harvest Time, Woody and Little Pip, etc.
• Discuss your child's beliefs about god with them without inputting too much information.  I am always amazed at how similar my boys' beliefs are to my own.  Children discuss god at school more than we think.  Their friends go to church and your kids wonder why you do not do so as well.  All these things and the little things you do at home and during the Sabbats plays a part in how your children perceive "god".  I try to inform my boys about many different belief systems without opinion as to which is right or wrong.

I am sure there are tons of more ways to share paganism with your children than what I have listed.  If you have any other ideas to share, please leave a comment.

Rhythm of Family

The Rhythm of Family: Discovering a Sense of Wonder through the Seasons

I have discovered the most wonderful resource for pagan families.  I am not even sure of the spiritual belief system this family follows, but their way of life is perfectly in tune with nature and the ever changing world around them.

The newest book, The Rhythm of Family, by Amanda Blake Soule and her husband, Stephen is phenomenal.  The text is written from the heart and full of the love they share for their family and the earth. The text goes through an entire year with the family.  Each chapter focuses on one month of the year and contains:

• thoughts fom mama
• thoughts from papa
• something to make
• something to do
• and possibly a little bit more.

I must admit after reading Amanda's forst two books I was a bit on the fence about having her husband as co-author to this book.  Boy, was I wrong.  He writes in much the same manner as his wife.  You can feel the family connectedness from the mere words he writes upon the page. 

This family lives in a way that is inspirational to all.  If only, I could do the same.

Honoring the Goddess

What can you do to bring your child closer to the Goddess? 

If you are able to be open and honest with your beliefs, this should be fairly easy.  If you are in the broom closet, things can become a bit tricky.

I feel like my boys (especially the nine year old) are more in tune with Christian beliefs than my own.  The children at school are very open in this regard.  It saddens me to think that I cannot be as open with my children as Christian parents.

Technically, I could.  The consequences to my children though are not worth it.  I know the Goddess understands and is accepting in my hesitancy. 

My boys do ask periodically about why we do certain things and I explain that we are honoring Mother Earth.  Eventually, I would like to refer to the Goddess as Earth Mother when they are a bit older as I feel it is at least closer to truth.  When they are old enough to make decisions for themselves, I will finally use the term that is rightfully Hers, Goddess.

I am not a technical, ritualistic or formal pagan in the least.  I do not believe I need to cast circles or preform elaborate spells to believe the way I do. 

I am very simple and natural.  If I look outside on a sunny morning and view a beautiful sunrise, I stop at that moment and thank the Goddess for all she is and all she has given.  On Sabbats, we say a blessing, light candles in significant colors, and preform some sort of task based on the time of year.

Simple, yet effective.

All of these little things bring my children closer to the Goddess...

• walks in nature
• growing a garden
• learning about the uses of herbs
• being thankful for the world around us
• and understanding natures yearly cycle.

How do you bring your children closer to the Goddess?

Pagan Summer Camp

Patrick McCleary is hosting a Pagan Summer Camp over at his blog, Pagan Dad.  You will receive weekly newsletters with great activities.  The first four weeks will focus on the elements and the last week will focus on Deity.

I am already signed up to receive the newsletter via email.

Making Tracks

Doesn't usually snow much in Texas.  The boys were so excited to see these little birdie tracks when it snowed in January.

Once we saw the birdie tracks we made our own as well.  Much like Peter in the book, Snowy Day.

Oh, how I wish it would snow at least 3-4 times in the winter here.  There is something magical about all the white snow lining the streets and yards.

Two Great Sites of Interest

Nature Child E Zine: Quartley additions come out for each of the seasons featuring articles on herbal lore, coloring & activity pages, crafts, recipes, stories, spells, science, Homeschooling, rites of passage. involving children in ritual, and much more.

Pagan Village:  Join the Pagan Village to learn ideas from like mined pagan families.  Share what you know and learn form others.  A wonderful support group created by the Pagan Dad.

Witchy Wishes Come True

House of Nights jewelry rocks!  I have been wanting this really cool triple moon pendant and celestial moon and my mommy finally got them for me.

If you haven't read the series, I would definitely check them out. 

Editorial Review from Amazon...

Zoey Redbird's world, vampyres not only exist but are also tolerated by humans. Those whom the creatures "mark" as special enter the House of Night school where they will either become vampyres themselves, or, if their body rejects the change, die. To Zoey, being marked is truly a blessing, though she's scared at first. She has never fit into the human world and has always felt she is destined for something else. Her grandmother, a descendant of the Cherokee, has always supported her emotionally, and it is she who takes the girl to her new school. But even there the teen stands apart from the others. Her mark from the Goddess Nyx is a special one, showing that her powers are very strong for one so young. At the House of Night, Zoey finds true friendship, loyalty, and romance as well as mistrust and deception. She realizes that all is not right in the vampyre world and that the problems she thought she left behind exist there as well. Readers will identify with many of the characters, especially the protagonist. The story moves quickly (a little too quickly at the end) and purposely leaves many unresolved issues. A good choice for those libraries serving fans of the occult, but be aware that the book contains some suggestive language and sex.

—Donna Rosenblum, Floral Park Memorial High School, NY



Halloween Photos 2010

With money being tight this year, we made some inventive costumes that wouldn't require me to go out and purchase much of anything.

A Big Question Indeed

Over at Pagan Parenting Resource Blog Nellie wrote a post entitled The Big Question.  I responded to her post with the following:

Raising your child to follow the pagan path and have a sense of spirituality is indeed a big question. I agree that for most religions the question does not arise as it is expected that most will bring up their child with the same beliefs.

As for our family, I bring my children up following my beliefs in a way that does not dictate any religions view points. We talk about the changing of the seasons and how important it is to take care of the earth. My boys have loved space and nature since wee little ones. We read books related to things I would like them to know. We experience nature together as a family and talk about the importance of various things in nature. We even talk about how we do some things differently than others.

For example: We redo our nature table on the night of All Hallows Eve. We adorn it with scrapbooks, photos and objects of the ones we love that have passed. My boys think of the dead as spirits that look out for them and protect them. We talk to the person and invite them to spend the evening with us. We tell stories of special times and just relish in the memories.

My boys know that some people think Halloween is bad and do not participate in it at all and that others just dress up to get candy. We remember those we have loved and dress up to get candy. Plus, for us.

My eight year old began asking questions about God and heaven when his grandfather passed and again when he would have conversations with the children at school. I did not accept or negate anything he discussed. I simply listened to what he shared and asked him what he thought.

I will often give him multiple points of view and then, simply ask him to tell me what he thinks. Come to find out that most of the time even though he wants to agree with friends his thoughts are more in line with my own than would be expected.

As for more overtly pagan practice sure as tarot or pendulums used for divination, I explain it simply. Most people do not sue these things or might think it is weird. I use them to help me make decisions. I "read" the cards or take the answer the pendulum gives and ponder the outcome and if it is the right one for me. I think about how to change things to make my life happy, healthy, and fun. This really seems to be enough.

Now, I will say these are things I try not to do in front of them all the time. I want them to understand and see me using pagan things, but as much as necessary.

When my boys are of an age that they can truly choose a beliefs system of their own, I will explain the many things we have done and why we do them. In all honesty, I feel like my boys will take their pagan beliefs into their own family while following a more mainstream religion of their wives at the same time. I think that when the time comes they will automatically gravitate toward what is in their hearts. I will know that I have given them all the tools needed to make a wise decision whatever that may be.

Busy Bee Watch the World Go By

It has been so busy here in the Sanders' house.  I recently went on vacation.  I have informally started back to work.  I go up and work in the classroom on most days now... just bits here and there.  My house is always in a need for clean.  It seems it gets clean and then it's time to cook.  The unending cycle is relentless.

But, the most exciting adventure that has been keeping me from blogging on a regular basis and turned my interest a bit is a new book.  Simplicity Parenting is written by Kim John Payne and I must say the man is brilliant.  The book is a guide on how to simplify all aspects of your life and get back to basics.  Through simplification you not only get a clean streamlined home, but a calm and peaceful lifestyle full of free time to spend with the ones you love.

The benefit of simplification on children is amazing.  Children need a natural rhythm and flow to the day.  They need simplicity and only a few choices in life.  They do not need to hear adult conversations.

We are overwhelming our children nowadays with tv, technology, and world happenings.  Childhood is going by at warp speed and as parents we are missing out on so much.  As for our children, we are taking away a time of magic that cannot be given back.

Reading this book will change the way you see your home life and work life.  It will allow you to prioritize what is most important and map out the time to engage in those activities and be with the ones you love.

I have been asked to submit a weekly post to the Simplicity Parenting Blog sharing my journey on the road to simplification.  On my family blog, I will be keep a journal of sorts as I give myself 365 days to travel full circle from messes and mayhem to peace and harmony. 

OR at least that is the goal.

If you would like to read the book and share stories with others going through simplification in their lives, feel free to join The Circle.  We post the things we are trying out and ask questions to get advice.  It is a place you can go to work through the process with others that are on this same journey.

I promise to try to get back on schedule as best as possible.  Please continue to check in, but know that as I simplify I will be cutting back screen time as well.  I am hoping that means when I do post the content will have more meaning, a deeper insight, and more engaging seasonal activities to share with your kiddos.

Have a wonderful end to your summer.  I sure to plan to.

Brodie

I would like to say a blessing/prayer for Brodie before his last days on earth, so that he knows it is okay to leave when he must.

loving friend,

faithful companion
you hold a special place
in our hearts.

may your remaining days
be filled with less pain
and more peace.

may you be blessed
to live a hundred
lifetimes of happiness.

you have given of yourself
more than any companion
could ask of another.

when it is time, feel free to go
knowing that we will always
be together in our hearts.

blessed be, my friend...


*If anyone knows of another pet blessing, please post in the comments.  I looked and could not find one.*

Solstice Celebration

Still finishing up our Solstice celebration.  It was quiet and simple.

We began creating a family masterpiece.  Both of the boys and I are painting pictures of the sun.  Each one is completely and totally different.  We used several canvases that we had painted last year. 

All we did was repaint the canvases white before we began.  We are using kids tempera paint, so the colors are not as vibrant as I would have liked but my kitchen floor is surviving without evidence of our play.  That is a miracle in and of itself.

Besides our sun paintings, we simply spent some time outside.  The boys played catch with daddy while I quietly watered the garden.  My poor herbs are not fairing well at the moment... so sad.

Big G and I did add some landscaping circles around two of our trees and added in tons of mulch.  Our backyard is going from an eye sore to something a bit more inviting.  It has a long ways to go, but it will get there.

As for explaining the Solstice to the boys, I made it simple.  I told them that it was the longest day of the year and a time to celebrate all the ways the sun helps us and our Earth Mother.  I let them know that our garden should soon begin to grow veggies and that we should say thank you for the gifts the Earth provides for us.  I left it at that and both seemed to understand.

More to Say...

I loved Anne's comment about just calling the goddess... well, Goddess.  Unfortunately in the Bible Belt if that came out of my son's mouth at school there would be severe repercussions on him socially.

I do not remember if I posted about this, but earlier this year a parent at our school had the audacity to go into the teacher work room and place a nasty letter in my box.  The gist of the letter was to inform me of my poor parenting due to allowing T to wear clothing that has skulls on them.  It went on to further mention that as a teacher I should know this is completely unacceptable.  This parent hopes to never have my son in a class with her child because his/her child should not have to be subjected to my son's inappropriate attire.

Yes, this really did happen.  The part that was most ironic was that the parent did not sign the letter.  I had no way to address the parent.  They must know that I would have had several choice words to share on my son's behalf.

At the school I work at, this is common place.  It is not excepted by the administration or teachers, but it happens nonetheless.

With that being said... that is why I need to come up with some way to explain my beliefs without handing him fuel for the fire so to speak.  I absolutely hate that we cannot just openly discuss our beliefs, but what can you do?

A Little Research

I am in search of a name to associate with the goddess.  There are so many to choose from and all for such different reasons.  I want something that is kid friendly and easily explained to children without an overtly negative connotation.

I have been researching because my oldest son has been asking questions about God.  He feels a tie to "God" because of things children say at school.  He hasn't so much been questioning now that I think of it.  He has been more making statements that he feels are fact.

When I question him and try to get out his personal thoughts and feelings, it is amazing how much he really believes similar to myself without much guidance from me in spirituality at all.

Well, here are some facts I found about the moon and earth during my research as well as a link to the source.  The actual page has a pretty straightforward description of Diana/Luna/Artemis.


Scientific Facts about the Moon and the Earth...

Moon and Earth, tied together by gravitational attraction, revolve as a double planet.

Total eclipses occur when the Moon and Earth line up perfectly with the Sun.

During a solar eclipse, the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, hiding the Sun on a small area of Earth.

During a lunar eclipse, the full Moon moves into Earth’s shadow and is blacked out.

Because Earth spins faster than the Moon revolves, the Moon rises an average of 50 minutes later each night.

During the new phase, Moon and Sun rise and set at the same time; but, from then on, the Moon appears in different parts of the sky: in the west as it waxes larger towards gibbous, in the east as it wanes smaller.

The gravitational force of the Moon, and to a lesser extent the Sun, raises the ocean tides on Earth.

A great bulge of water is pulled up on the side of the Earth facing the Moon and held there as Earth rotates beneath the bulge, high tides occur and then because of Earth’s rotation, the tide seems to move from east to west.

None of the other planets has a moon like the Earth. Mercury and Venus have no moons at all, and Mars is orbited only by two tiny chunks of rock, each just one ten-millionth the size of Earth’s moon.

Because the Moon rotates on its axis in exactly the time it takes to orbit the Earth, it always presents the same side to us.

The Moon does not emit light. What we see is sunlight reflected from the Moon’s surface as the Moon goes through its familiar phases.

Description of Luna

I think the reason this goddess appeals to me is not the description of her, but honestly her name and association with the moon and healing.  Since the boys were young we have always referred to the moon as Luna and talked about the beautiful face we see gazing down upon us.  This dates back to my years as a Catholic and not just recent years.

I also value the ties the moon has to the seasons and almost all aspects of earthly happenings.  It is not a myth when people say children go "crazy" around the full moon.  I have seen it happen too many times to not believe it has some sort of scientific basis. lol

Anyways, what do you call your goddess?  How do you think of her?  How would you describe her to a child?

Birthday Song

~anonymous
found in a child's seasonal treasury

In heaven shines a golden star
an angel led me from a far.
From heaven high unto the earth
and brought me to my house of birth.

Oh welcome welcome lovely day
With sunshine bright and flowers gay.
With painted birds that sing their song
and make me kind and good and strong.

from Our Day Our Journey

Blessed Beltane

May 1st has arrived and the growing season has begun.  I wanted to wish everyone a blessed Beltane. 


I also wanted to let everyone know that it has been crazy in my CASA.  School is coming to a close and I have started trying to organize my school schedule for the summer as well as complete testing on 19 little munchins.  The testing alone can drive you nuts.  Add on top of that each and every one of us is itching to be outside on a daily basis and  not locked behind the walls of a classroom and you have a very stressful environment indeed.

I have been so overwhelmed lately that I have been retreating to my room with a good book.  Of course, I spend some time with the family first.  But this time of year always requires alot of a teacher mentally.  I do have to take time to be alone and just breath.

That being said, as soon as school is over I will begin posting regularly again.  Do not forget about me.  I am hear.  Just not necessarily here on the blog for the moment.  I will post as something interesting comes up... like this new to me book called Circle Round.  It is the best resource I have found to date on raising a witchy family.  Review to come.

Anyways, I am off to a family reunion.  I had hoped for sunshine and outdoor time, but it seems the weather has other thoughts in mind.  Guess the Goddess really is trying to make the world a bit greener today.

Again, happy Beltane and blessed be.

Parent Resources on the Web

Mrs. B. over at Confessions of a Pagan Soccer Mom has written a post with tons of resources and links for pagan parents.

You really should go see what the post has to offer.

Spring Break Has Arrived

I have been trying to decide how to spend Spring Break with the boys.  I knew I wanted some activity and it would have to be indoors due to the little guy.  I also knew that I wanted to include nature and the upcoming Sabbat.

If I do not set my plans in stone with room for change, we tend to fall into routine and just veg at home.  I have a new motto after reading Fit From Within... Get Up, Get Dressed, and Get Going.

Here is what I have so far.  Some of it is less than desirable because I would love to be outside more, but you adapt when your little one cannot go outside in warm weather.  If the weather is cooler, my plans will adapt as well

Monday: We are going to go bowling.  This is a new activity BOTH of the boys really enjoy.  It brings out a little friendly competition and doesn't involve a Wii remote.

Tuesday:  We will weed and begin to till the soil in our garden.  We will also be making a fairy house for the garden we are working on.  The boys have asked if we could turn our candle garden into something fun to play with, so we are going to attempt to make miniature garden tools and turn it into a Zen Garden.

Wednesday:  We are going to play glow in the dark putt-putt golf.  The boys love this as well.  They always want to wear white  for the most fun effect.  In the evening, we  will work together to make a snack to take to a friend's house tomorrow.

Thursday:  We are going over to one of my teammates homes for a much needed girls' afternoon (with kids in tow).  I am bringing several activities to keep the boys busy... pentago, uno, football, etc.

Friday:  We will be finishing up the garden activities... planting seeds, repotting herbs, etc.  We will also have an arts and craft day... painting sun catcher again, making a mosaic stepping stone for the garden, and possible wet felting Ostara eggs.

Through all of this I still have lots of school related stuff to do and books to read for my own little break from the norm.  If all goes well, a week at home for Spring Break will prove to be more fulfilling than having taken a vacation.

Waste Free Lunches

I just posted almost 20 sites that sale various waste free lunchboxes/ containers.  Check out my post on oNe PiNK FiSH... Waste Free Lunches... All the Green Kids Are Doing It.

Favorites From the List

for mom...
Lunchville:  If you have small containers and just need a stylish lunch bag, this is the site to see.

Eco Lunch Boxes: Pretty, chic and stylish are just a few words to describe these eco-chic lunch bags.  The lunch bags can be worn in a variety of ways including as a backpack.  You can purchase just the bag or the entire lunch box system.

for kidlets...
Go Green Lunch Box:  Much like a Laptop Lunch Box.  This lunch box is eco-friendly and only has one container with several compartments.

Yubo: Can be personalized as many times as you would like.  Make a great lunch box for the first time your child will be away from home because you can have a family photo as the faceplate.

Goodbyn:  Also only one container with several compartments.  There are two versions: one with ears and stickers to be turned into any creature your little one can imagine and one without ears and it cool colors for the older kids in your life.  I like this lunch box because it really helps with portion control.

What's in a Name?

If you are in the closet so to speak about your spiritual path, what do you refer to the goddess as?

At our house, we generally talk about Mother Nature and/or the Sky King.  I think that both of these terms are generic enough not to stir up any negativity if my children were to mention it to school friends, yet lend themselves to being easily connected to the Goddess when the time comes.

I ask the question because I am concerned about confusion. 

T has been experiencing some talk about "God" at school. I do not want to say anything negative about what he hears, but I am not sure how to let him know that we do not necessarily believe the same way. I want him to ultimately have a choice as to his beliefs when he gets older.

How do you make sure that your little ones are experiencing spirituality in a positive way?

I want both of the boys to realize that the things we do are as important spiritually as Christmas and the such is to a Christian.

Does any of this make sense?

Since this is a new endeavor for the family we are able to lay the groundwork any way we like.  I am not having to undo anything. 

Anywys, I'd love to hear your thoughts on the subject.