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10 Principles for Spiritual Parenting: Nurturing Your Child's Soul
In the hustle and bustle of everyday life, how do we, as parents, honor the spirituality of our children? As we shuttle between school, soccer practice, piano lessons, ballet lessons, birthday parties, and doctors' appointments, how do we find the time to encourage our children, through the ups and downs of growing up, to turn to God for guidance? In 10 Principles for Spiritual Parenting , Mimi Doe and Marsha Walch open our eyes to the spontaneous, creative, freethinking joy that characterizes a child's innate spirituality. In ten easy-to-follow chapters containing exercises and practical suggestions, the authors point out that opportunities to express spirituality are abundant in our routine life. Talking at dinner, lighting candles, performing daily chores--all of these events have the potential to be sacred moments. Contemporary parents face unique In our media-saturated culture, children are continually exposed to violence, cynicism, and a confusing code of ethics. By offering concrete ways to help children develop positive values, Mimi Doe and Marsha Walch support parents' efforts to counteract negative messages. 10 Principles for Spiritual Parenting is an invaluable guide for parents who yearn to help their children nurture a rich spirituality of their own.
400 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 1998
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
January 29, 2013
I see the imminent need for this book in our parenting today. Our world is changing rapidly and our children can be connected to or exposed to multifaceted aspects of the world via modern technology. While they are multitasking, they need to stay centered so that they know who they are, what their purpose is, and how to become meaningful contributors to the society.
Also, I agree with the book’s basic assumption that kids are innately spiritual and we parents need to help them to maintain that. It is hard not to see them as our extension, but to some extent, the authors are right that they are loans to us. “ …we are only custodians for these souls, who have their own path, a path not measured and judged.” (p.293) This reminds me of Wendy Mogel’s advice in seeing our kids as “God’s most sacred gift to us” – a contrast to Amy Chu, the tiger mom.
Although the authors try to appeal to a wide range of audience - people of diverse religious backgrounds, they express their belief in that there's God within everyone and that everyone has the access to God. This is quite Quarkerly.
The biggest strength of this book is its provision of numerous widely ranged practical tips – so that readers could pick and choose whatever suits them and their family lives. My favorites include: teach less – listen more (p.99), word calendar (138), help your child find a balance between his imagination and the details of our world (160), circle stories (221), oasis “quiet time (238),” spiritual toolbox (269), light approach (281), your own “angel committee (310),” fear box (317), worry-wish tree (p. 320), and 7 “L”s (345-6).
Since the authors did not explicitly describe how the 10 principles fit together as a whole, it might be a bit frustrating to go through pages of guidance and exercises. Moreover, there are some repetitions, for instance, between the chapter on “Listen to your child” and “Create a flexible structure.”
Some of the quotes are fascinating. I wish the authors had told us how the quotes were collected and through what venues/contexts. On p. 296, the serenity prayer resonates with me. The other favorite of mine is on p. 336, “If I could go back and replay the day Ted died… I can’t have that day back, but I can beg parents to really love their children each day.”
Throughout the book, the authors seem to adopt different ways of their dealing with the concept and role of God in spiritual parenting. At beginning of the book, the focus is more on “God at work” (p. 8 -11) , but in the middle, it shifts to individuals active role and creativity, and toward the end, there’s a focus on letting go and submitting to the anthropomoric God. In my view, this is really situational. On the one hand, we cannot sit all day and seek for the divine guidance. Struggle is not always a bad thing. On the other hand, when things get tough, when there does not seem to be sensible explanations or perceivable solutions, maybe the best way is to release struggle and trust God would take care.
One question I have is what’s the difference between intuition, inner voice, and heart (p. 280). Good decisions are often made based on knowledge, empathy, intuition and vision. Under what condition, for instance, could we really trust intuition? Is intuition always related to heart or God's guidance? WHat do we do when there are different inner voices?
Also, I agree with the book’s basic assumption that kids are innately spiritual and we parents need to help them to maintain that. It is hard not to see them as our extension, but to some extent, the authors are right that they are loans to us. “ …we are only custodians for these souls, who have their own path, a path not measured and judged.” (p.293) This reminds me of Wendy Mogel’s advice in seeing our kids as “God’s most sacred gift to us” – a contrast to Amy Chu, the tiger mom.
Although the authors try to appeal to a wide range of audience - people of diverse religious backgrounds, they express their belief in that there's God within everyone and that everyone has the access to God. This is quite Quarkerly.
The biggest strength of this book is its provision of numerous widely ranged practical tips – so that readers could pick and choose whatever suits them and their family lives. My favorites include: teach less – listen more (p.99), word calendar (138), help your child find a balance between his imagination and the details of our world (160), circle stories (221), oasis “quiet time (238),” spiritual toolbox (269), light approach (281), your own “angel committee (310),” fear box (317), worry-wish tree (p. 320), and 7 “L”s (345-6).
Since the authors did not explicitly describe how the 10 principles fit together as a whole, it might be a bit frustrating to go through pages of guidance and exercises. Moreover, there are some repetitions, for instance, between the chapter on “Listen to your child” and “Create a flexible structure.”
Some of the quotes are fascinating. I wish the authors had told us how the quotes were collected and through what venues/contexts. On p. 296, the serenity prayer resonates with me. The other favorite of mine is on p. 336, “If I could go back and replay the day Ted died… I can’t have that day back, but I can beg parents to really love their children each day.”
Throughout the book, the authors seem to adopt different ways of their dealing with the concept and role of God in spiritual parenting. At beginning of the book, the focus is more on “God at work” (p. 8 -11) , but in the middle, it shifts to individuals active role and creativity, and toward the end, there’s a focus on letting go and submitting to the anthropomoric God. In my view, this is really situational. On the one hand, we cannot sit all day and seek for the divine guidance. Struggle is not always a bad thing. On the other hand, when things get tough, when there does not seem to be sensible explanations or perceivable solutions, maybe the best way is to release struggle and trust God would take care.
One question I have is what’s the difference between intuition, inner voice, and heart (p. 280). Good decisions are often made based on knowledge, empathy, intuition and vision. Under what condition, for instance, could we really trust intuition? Is intuition always related to heart or God's guidance? WHat do we do when there are different inner voices?
September 7, 2008
A valuable book that reminds parents to slow down and enjoy the creative and spontaneous nature of our children. I certainly benefited from the affirmations that accompany each chapter as well as Mimi Doe's many creative meditation and art activities. What I also appreciate about this book on spirituality is that it is open to all pathways, although there is certainly a Judeo-Christian vibe to the book.
August 25, 2012
Loved this but couldn't finish as it was passed due at the library. I think I will buy it though---once I got past the "God" talk in the first chapter, there are so many wonderful ideas of connecting with your children and bringing more spirituality to the every day occurrences. A feel good book.
June 21, 2010
I really wanted to finish this book, but it's not terribly compelling to me. There are some interesting tips and although this topic interests me, I found it quite boring.
November 27, 2012
Didn't finish it--a little too Christian for my tastes and seemingly based on a middle-American white class culture which doesn't fit my demographic.
January 23, 2008
One of those books that I will have to buy to keep on hand for future readings.
July 2, 2012
Helped me immensely.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews