Wiccans - What do you do about spirituality and your children?

Question

Disclaimer - To all those who know I am going to hell I know also thank you for your concern.

I dont have any children but I hope i will one day and it is something I have been thinking about recently. A lot of people wont take on initiates until they have turned 21 - I understand why but i also think it is a long time to wait to experience any spirituality. I grew up in the church and some of the experiences I had helped me to grow both spiritually and as a person.

Have you introduced your children to any faith - if so in what way, I dont mean to intrude and obvioulsy you dont have to answer, I just wonder.

Actually no coven involved at all - solo and happy

I just dont want to end up indoctrinating my kids to Pagan beliefs, but not teaching them anything till they are adults is just so contrary to how i felt growing up, Christianity was a huge part of my life. I dont believe in it anymore and i wouldnt be happy sending them places on their own as i also feel it should be a family thing.(well my husband wont take part but he is agnostic and he seems to think that involving yourself in even finding anything out about a faith is a bad thing)

I put up Wicca because when I dont no one answers my questions the hedding seems to draw more attention

Answer 1

I'm a pagan, not wiccan but I'm pretty sure I can help answer your question regardless..

Mom of five, ages 22, 20, 18, 16, 14
I have introduced them to christianity, buddhism, judaism, and several forms of paganism.. I experienced these with them and found answers to their questions for them when I was unable to do so personally.. they have each chosen what they believe and are very happy with their choices.

I am also a grandmother of 2 (ages 3 weeks and 2 years) and my daughter is raising hers in the same manner.. they will have an opportunity to choose their own beliefs, but will have the guidance of a parent who will be there with them to insure that they are not being taken advantage of while visiting or questioning.

As for initiates being 21, there are plenty of people who will take on initiates before that age.. however, they would need to have parental permission etc (if under 18). I'm sure you can understand the reasoning behind that age limit.
Those who grow up in wiccan households usually have the ability to participate along with their families in rituals, etc..

If you have any other questions, feel free to contact me.

Answer 2

I am not Wiccan - I do practice a form of witchcraft though.

Do what other religions do, introduce your children as they grow up. Christian parents - I grew up in a devout family - start out young and help their children experience the faith since birth.

You don't have to have an outside group train them, instead teach them as you celebrate your rites. Show them a sabbat, and teach them your beliefs about the moon, the sun, and who everything is interconnected. Introduce them to the idea of the Lord and Lady which is part of the Wiccan faith and the All. Show them and teach them through your own rejoicing of faith.

Stay open minded to your children, and don't force them to follow in your footsteps. A lot of children leave the religion they grew up with, only to come back to it later, because they felt as though it belonged to their parents and not to them. This is a disservice to children.

And FYI, , many covens take on children if their parents are already memebers. The usual age for involvement is around 12, although the children may not be able to come to all the coven's rites. But they would still be part of your coven and tradition.

Answer 3

I am Wiccan, and my fiance is Christian. We have 2 children, ages 9 months and 3 years.

We have decided that our children will be exposed to as many religions as we can find in the area. I personally believe that children should not be involved in any Pagan/Wiccan rites until they are at least 15. I will answer any questions they have until then. Right now, they go to a local contemporary Christian church.

There is a wonderful book out by Raymond Buckland called Tree of Life, I think. It's about being a Pagan family and raising children in this path. There are loads of other books about this as well.

Answer 4

Don't have kids yet. But I know what I'll tell them. The truth.

That there's something out there beyond our understanding that's watching over us. No human being in this world knows anything more than that.

Over time, I'll hope they come up with all kinds of questions, about all kinds of faiths. And I'll answer them as best I can. Maybe that's why I followed my nose to Yahoo! Answers: I'm practicing.

If I get asked a question I don't know the answer to, I'll take my kids right to that respective place of worship and ask. We'll learn TOGETHER.

Imagine that.

Answer 5

We have many Wiccan families in my community, and as a rule none of them raise their children "in" the Wiccan faith.

The fundamentally sexual nature of the core beliefs of the faith make it unsuitable for young children, at least as I've experienced it, and besides, we value individual choice very highly -- older children are educated about the variety of faiths out there, and then permitted to make their own choice, which generally happens in their mid to late teens. If they express curiousity about Wicca, the parents will answer questions, or allow the children to attend public or open rituals if the parent is going and the child wants to come. But at no point is it said, "You have to go to circle with me." Or even, "It would be a good idea for you to go to circle with me." Parents live their faith, pass on the "harm none" ethic and demonstrate to their children that they are happy and fulfilled in their spirituality

It's good that you're thinking about this sort of thing now. Advance planning makes for good parenting. :-)

Blessed be to you, and good luck.

Answer 6

I'm recently pregnant and have been going over this issue with my husband, who is a Pagan Taoist.

First of all, to be in a coven (which I'm assuming you're talking about) doesn't mean you're automatically exposed to spiritualism. Spirituality is something you find within yourself all through your life. It constantly follows you and changes as you grow. What you're talking about is being exposed to dogma.

I personally believe it's better to have a foundation of spiritualism and then, if you wish, to have dogma built upon that.

My husband and I agree that we're going to expose our child to as many religions and spiritual practices as possible, including Christianity. We refuse to close them up in a Pagan "box", so to speak. However, because of our religious practices, our child will be exposed to more Paganism than anything else. We want our child to have the chance to choose what he or she wishes to believe in.

Answer 7

well first of all, you should let them make their own choice of what religion they want to be in.

you can always let them do the rituals and such even if their not in a coven, You know them so you can teach them what to do during the full moon and at the Sabats.

you can give them a very spiritual childhood in the comfort of your own home :o)

be creative, thats what Wicca is all about.

Answer 8

it all depends on how you raise them. let them do what they want with religion. you cant force them

Answer 9

i told them there is a god and he has your life already laid out