Product Description

This is a guide for any pagan family, no matter what its relgion. It describes the development of the human energy system from conception through adolescence, and how it relates to a child's spiritual, magical, and emotional development. The main focus of the book is on games and exercises designed to encourage the beneficial development of innate psychic and magical abilities. It aims to foster healthy family relationships and offer parents suggestions on how to handle common pagan parenting issues, such as how to answer tough questions asked by young children and teens, and how to deal with the honesty versus secrecy dilemma regarding practices and beliefs.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #797549 in Books
• Published on: 2000-11-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 312 pages

Review
"...Ms. Madden completely avoids sounding like a pagan Dear Abby. Unlike many parenting books available, she does not have some sort of `do this and everything will be perfect' child raising system to sell to the reader. She has experience, and wisdom and she share sit with us while all the while avoiding the trap of being the 'expert.'

"I highly recommend Pagan Parenting in it's revised and expanded edition to any Pagan with, or soon to have, children." -- Facing North

From the Author
Kristin says:
Pagan parents are pioneers in many ways. As pagans, we are living a healthy and growing spiritual tradition with great potential for all of us. As parents, we have the opportunity to lead the way in raising happy, healthy, connected children. Much of modern society is sadly lacking in respect, honor, and community, and we can begin to return that to our reality, through how we live our lives and how we raise our children.

Our children truly are our future. Not only do they carry on our genes and family names, but they also will be the ones to develop modern paganism and continue the Ancient Ways in their lives. How they are raised plays an important role in who they become. As parents, we can choose to raise wounded kids who conform to the current mainstream culture or we can do our best to create an environment that supports them in healthy, loving, and spiritual ways.

From the Inside Flap
Dandelion Fuzz Wishes: Elemental Air Magic for Young Children

For the baby or young toddler, dandelion fuzz can be the tool for their very first natural magic. Dandelions grow in almost all areas and most of us are familiar with making wishes while blowing the fuzz from them at the end of their season. This is very similar to the wish-spells associated with blowing out birthday candles. Just as in any form of magic, belief and emotion are vital to the success of a dandelion fuzz wish and, with very young children, a parent may need to initially provide this.

Dandelion Fuzz Wish

Before going out to find a dandelion in fuzz, decide on the wish you and your child will be making. Then go outside with that wish in your minds and ask to be led to the dandelion that wants to help make that wish come true.

Ask before picking the dandelion of your choice. When permission is given, pick it with a prayer of thanks. If your child is able, have him or her say thank you along with you as you pick the flower.

Hold the dandelion by its stem and have the child hold it gently with you. An older child can hold the plant alone. Repeat the wish out loud. If your child is old enough, tell them to imagine the wish growing really big in their head. Then blow the wish out into the dandelion fuzz, and watch as it is carried off into the air.

Tell your child that the wish is now part of the fuzz and the air will carry it to the Great Spirit or God and Goddess.

Customer Reviews

Real and Friendly
This book contains so much information, suggestions, exercises, and rituals that I can hardly believe it! It is so much more than your usual holiday ritual and decorating book. The sections on the development of energy systems and how that affects our kids was something I have not seen anywhere else. The sections on altars and games for kids were awesome and the parts on community and legality were very informative.

What I really like is that the author doesn't try to tell parents what we should be doing. I don't need anyone else to tell me what my kids need. What I need are recommendations and to hear how other pagan parents are including their kids and facing their challenges. I felt like I was talking to a good friend that wanted to offer possibilities but supported my choices and encouraged me to trust myself and my kids. The back of the book has contacts and websites and recommended reading that really helped me realize that I have opportunities to connect with other pagan parents out there just like me.

FABULOUS, EVEN WHILE BABY STILL RESIDES IN WOMB!
I love this book! I am a first time mom of a 10 week old, and wish I had found this book sooner! There are meditations to connect with your unborn child, to help prepare for birth, as well as beginning journeys for children! The ceremonies are great for kids of all ages. I shared this with a 9 year old pagan friend who couldn't wait to share it with her mom and do the family rituals. There are bedtime prayers, grace, songs for sabbats...WONDERFUL!!

Highly Recommended!
This book is surprisingly good for its small size. The author covers quite a wide range of topics, obviously supporting families in making the right choices for their individual families. I appreciate the emphasis on keeping any exercises you do with children fun and light as well a the suggestion that you follow the the child's feelings and instincts; not forcing a child into anything and allowing them to make their own choices. I also appreciate the fact that this author does not avoid potentially controversial topics. They are tackled head on. She offers first-hand experience from a variety of parents and children.

My favorite aspect of this book is the fact that it is written for all pagans. When reading strictly wiccan books, many of the rituals, spells, etc don't fit my family. This book offers a wider range of suggestions and games.