Pagan or Wiccan Parents.. are there any here?

Question

I've heard a lot of Christains beliefs in raising children... what are your views? Was is more difficult for you?

Answer 1

I am a new pagan Father. I will raise my daughter to learn not only my path but her mothers as well (catholic). She can decide for herself when she is old enough. I think it's a question more of how to raise our children, rather than what to raise them. If they are raised right, religion shouldn't be a major issue.

Answer 2

I'm a pagan mommy with three kids. They're all 5 and under so religion hasn't really come up yet. The hard part about being pagan with kids isn't the kids themselves, it the idiots around us. It's also hard because I was a mommy at 14. So I have actually had people come up to me and ask if I was teaching my kids to worship the devil and utter nonsense like that. I wasn't exactly sure how to answer, but my husband nearly cracked a rib laughing so hard. Now, I just smile sweetly and tell people that neither my husband, myseld, or my kids have ever or will ever harm another person and it's people like them who make people like us so misunderstood. Then I walk away. My twin girls are absolutely wonderful though. They were with me when someone asked me that kind of question and before I could answer both of them chimed in with "There's no Devil in the craft!" It was absolutely adorable and the lady didn't really know what to do. It's one of my favorite memories. :)

Answer 3

I don't think it's more difficult for us, except that for the static we get from non-pagan parents who are convinced we're leading our children into "evil."

We face the same problems every other parent faces, but we have different solutions. Because we ourselves tend to think in terms of cooperation, and inner strength, we tend to teach our children the same approach. And because we don't buy into the "original sin" doctrine, our children don't grow up with the inherent sense of worthlessness so many others do.

Children are a gift--it's part of the reason I'm pro choice. No child should ever be brought into the world unless it is wanted and will be loved. And they should be treated as such. It is not our job to live through our children, or to mold them into little copies of ourselves, but to guide them into realizing their own destiny and potential.

Answer 4

I didn't find it particularly difficult.
My son is nearly 16. He was raised to understand all paths and also understand that the decision to enter into a covenant with ANY deity is not to be taken lightly.

He was not taught to have my religion "by default" but to seek truth in all paths.

The only problem he's had is that after exploring Christianity, he LOATHES it, and even though I'm sort of relieved he's Pagan like his folks I wish he didn't LOATHE a religion that most of the people in my country are.

Answer 5

My son is 8 years old. I'm pagan, his father is voodoo. He asked to go to God Squad, at the same church I decided wasn't for me at the age of 6. I let him. I may be his parent, and I can give him knowledge about what I know, but I can never make him any religion. I know that by letting him choose his own path, he will find the right way for him. I did tell him not to tell God Squad about his Elegba, because they would think he was worshiping satan or something like that LOL. I'm just trying to raise my son with commonsense morals, to be a good person.

Answer 6

I will and do raise my kids in the Heathen tradition, but I also take them to a UU church so that they are not ignorant of other faiths. I think it's important for her to know my faith because I am her mother. It's her heritage if nothing else. While I don't tell her what to BELIEVE I do teach her what is out there. She'll tell you that she's a heathen though lol It's cute

Answer 7

I didn't raise my son in a religious belief (though he did join in from time to time). And it was my son who lead me to Asatru, of which he now proclaims proudly. =) It isn't difficult because it doesn't concern anyone else. My son was raised to use his own mind and to make those types of decisions for himself.