| What does spiritual parenting mean to you? Do | | | | moment, while keeping a big perspective. It's |
| you think it means raising your child to adopt your | | | | about seeing your child's behavior in relation to the |
| religion? Those who are truly spiritual understand | | | | type of person he is becoming. |
| that there is a different between the two. | | | | Spiritual parenting is a journey deep into your |
| Spirituality unites us, while religion puts us in | | | | heart. If done with curiosity and wonder, parenting |
| separate camps which are divided by beliefs. | | | | is one of the most fulfilling tasks you will ever |
| Spirituality has room for all beliefs and recognizes | | | | undertake. You will learn more about yourself than |
| that each creed has strengths and weaknesses. It | | | | in any other earthly endeavor. |
| has no need to defend itself to dissenters or cling | | | | Spiritual parenting is alternative parenting at its |
| rigidly to certain points of view because it has | | | | best. It is not a reaction to something, but a deep |
| room for all. | | | | response to the love and responsibility a mother |
| Spiritual parenting is a lot like that. Rather than | | | | feels for her child. Within this love are the seeds |
| making a child into this or that, it encourages the | | | | of awakening, the desire to give her child a better |
| child to become more of who he is. This means | | | | life and the understanding that in order to do so, |
| helping the child to develop his God-given | | | | she must question the beliefs she has adopted |
| strengths which may ultimately mean that the | | | | and acted from most of her life. |
| child will walk a path that is very different from | | | | Although it may be challenging, the best aspect of |
| his parents. | | | | spiritual parenting is having the opportunity to bear |
| Spiritual parenting is about encouraging the | | | | witness to the unfolding of your child's physical |
| unfolding of a child's unique talents. While most | | | | strengths, emotional fortitude, inquisitive mind and |
| parents understand the importance of attending | | | | compassionate heart. As I write these words, I |
| to a child's physical needs, they may not realize | | | | smile because I know from experience that there |
| that the child's emotional and spiritual needs are | | | | is no greater gift that a parent can give herself or |
| equally important. | | | | her child. |
| Spiritual parenting is about acting in the present | | | | |