** Introductions **

welcome to our two newest members, my4lvs and plantgirl! We look forward to learning and sharing about our magical parenting practices!

Baby blessings,
Jill

Merry Meet
Thank you for starting this group. I really did want to start bringing the kids into my practices. I think I do already, but have to be carefull I don't talk to much about Paganism infront of the 6 yo. It would not be a good thing if neighbors or classmates find out about our/my religion. ( small Texas town with small minded people)
We have always been Earth conscientious as a family so nothing much there  has changed, we do the best we can. I do teach the kids (boys 6 & 2) what each celebration is about. Example Yule, I told the story of the Holly King and The Oak King, a story, just like Jesus. Right now the spiritual part of Paganism is personal, when the kids get older they can choose what religion they would like to follow, so to help them make an educated decision when they grow up ( as opposed to telling them this is what you will be) I try my best to foster religious tolerance for all people and all religions. That is just part of being Pagan ( In my opinion, of course :)
The only "dogma" we have in our house is we don't believe that the Devil or Hell exists.
I am such a Solitary, but I am considering joining the Pagan Parents in my area for get togethers, but I just undecided about that. I might start going my local UU church, they have a Pagan group there, but I just haven't made that first step.
I am looking forward to getting to know you all.

Love & Light
Melissa

p.s. I just wanted to say thanks for posting the guidelines here.

Quoting FishingMama:

when the kids get older they can choose what religion they would like to follow, so to help them make an educated decision when they grow up ( as opposed to telling them this is what you will be) I try my best to foster religious tolerance for all people and all religions.

That's exactly what I've been doing! My parents did that with me too- my mama was raised natural minded (spiritual, nature respecting tree hugging) Jewish and dad catholic but very spiritual. My mom actually bought me Drawing Down the Moon in highschool. My cousin got me a book for my Blessingway about God and how different religions have different higher powers. It's a great intro for kids and open to everything- I really like it.
What I've been doing is looking more to the historical point of view of the holidays and although  my son is just a toddler, I have been preparing to introduce things that way. My husband is really into history, and he works for NOAA so he supports the nature side too. It's been great so far, celebrating solstices and equinoxes subtly but still pointing out the importance.
I wanted to start this group since all the natural parenting and AP groups I'm finding seem to have a strong christian conservative air to them.
Thanks again for joining :)
-Jill

Hi, I'm Stephanie! It's a funny coincidence that I would see this group invitation today. I was JUST talking about going to the book store to look for it an hour ago. I have to return my library copy in the next 3 days :- ( so I NEED to replace it ASAP, LOL! My 2 DDs and I are just started on the path and have only done the Full Moon Ritual (last week) so far. They LOVED! it, it was really great! My first DD (5 yrs-old) is in her 3rd year of Waldorf school where they honor the earth & seasons all the time-- it seemed to fit right in for her. :-D Hello to everyone! I think this is really amazing that this group is here at such perfect timing! Nice to meet you all! ~Steph

Hi Stephanie and thanks for joining us! I can't wait to hear more about your children and the rituals. I have done some holiday celebrations with my son, not many rituals; my lil one is small still but he did help me light the candles at Samhain to honor his lost sister....
We also love to play with the elements and when we go on walks outside I try to point out the trees and the moon and talk a bit about their significance....
Glad to have you!
Baby blessings,
Jill

What I've been doing is looking more to the historical point of view of the holidays and although  my son is just a toddler, I have been preparing to introduce things that way.  I agree totally,looking at it Historically (for me anyway) will remove my urge to "debate Christianity*" in front of the kids, I won't have to, the kids will see it for themselves when they get older, and I am just facinated by history and especially religious History, and expecially especially ( lol) pagan History.  ( * I don't have an issue with Christians, just some of their doctrines views and morals, obviously, otherwise I wouldn't be Pagan lol, just had to put that friendly little disclaimer in, ya'll know where I'm coming from)
My husband is really into history, and he works for NOAA I don't know what NOAA is  so he supports the nature side too. It's been great so far, celebrating solstices and equinoxes subtly but still pointing out the importance. DH is a non practicing Christian, he's fine with everything, and really really trys to have conversations with me, it's going good.
I wanted to start this group since all the natural parenting and AP groups I'm finding seem to have a strong christian conservative air to them. Yes I agree, and some go to the other extreem like you really suck if you aren't 100% Organic, recycling, green, vegan...everything needs balance...my opinion only of course
. I really believe any effort is honouring the Earth, I don't use chemicals in my garden, because 1 we eat the veggies and herbs and 2 it's just really bad for the enviroment, but I don't recycle all that I should, want to, haven't yet.Each year I do fit in more and more natural and Earth wise ways, for the planet and my family.

Thanks again for joining :)
-Jill

I'm a solitary as well, dh is agnostic and very supportive. My dd is 1 so she doesn't help with rituals, she is facinated when I light the candles! Parents are catholic and I was raised catholic, but it didn't fit. Mom bought me my first set of runes and tarot cards at 10 and 15! She's curious about paganism, as my brothers and I were raised in a very natural living, spiritual, earth minded way - THANKS MOM! I'm so happy to find you all! - Sarah

Sarah- that's great about your mom's openess - it really helps to feel not "lost"....  My mom still supports me, but I miss having a community.

NOAA- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration- it's the greener side of gov't... My husband said that in a meeting the other day when it started to rain, everyone got up from the table and wnet to the window to watch the storm. Pretty cool.

blessings to all- have a great week!!!
-Jill

I'm Jillian.  I have a 6 year old DD, Rhavenn, and a 3 year old DS, Breckin.  My husband is a recovering Catholic.  I was raised with spirituality, not religion.  Although, when I started to feel left out at school, I tried the Lutheran church, but realized it wasn't for me when the pastor told our class that we had to memorize the Apostle's Creed.  My only though was WHY?  I've been lucky enough to be in a family that is supportive and a community that has many pagans...even if they don't officially call themselves pagan...lol.  Stephanie, I'm sure you can relate!  Anyway, we celebrate Yule very openly.  We're working on some other sabbats, but I'm definitely more spiritual than religious, so we try not to be too "strict" about what we "should" be practicing and celebrating.  Last year we had another familly come over and do an Imbolc "ritual" for kids.  But we didn't do it until the end of March...lol.

Thanks for starting this group!