I am not, at this moment in time, planning to have any children any time soon. This may change as hormones take control, but I hope not, as I think I'd make a crap mother.

However, the point is, would you raise your children pagan? Speaking from a purely hypothetical view point (and sparked by a newspaper report of some youths kicking a puppy so badly it was brain damaged and had to be put down - there aren't enough curse words for how I feel about this)...

I would try to raise any kids I had the best way I could, teaching them respect for nature, other people, animals, themselves. Hopefully they would respect me for this, would pick up their litter, not kick puppies to death, hold doors open for people, just generally be good people. In time, if they were interested, I would teach them about the craft as I practice it (I could start my own fam trad) and about the ethics of that.

Obviously, because I'm not a mother, I can only speak from a hypothetical point of view. If only it were this easy, eh? I remember what I was like as a teenager and I don't envy my mother putting up with me.

So, parents and non parents alike, what are your thoughts? (sorry if there's already something about this, I looked but couldn't see)

I was asked this same question in an other forum the other day. (yes I do have time for other places!)
I'm not a parent but I think the best thing to do is what my parents did for me, no religion but no banning of it either. I'd like to teach my kids to be good people what ever they choose to believe without indoctrinating them into anything.

I've really always just concentrated on teaching them sound values and good morals as far as I can.

I was subject to quite severe religious indoctrination as a child and would therefore not dream of inflicting such confusion on my boys.

They know what I believe and are interested, I leave them to make their own decisions as they gain in experience.

I would include the children in my religion if they wanted to join in, but I would also encourage them to look at other religions. My bf has no religious leanings but is interested in what I do, so he may even end up as a pagan of sorts at some point in the future anyway.

Respect for nature, animals and other people are essential to being a decent human being, so that will be something I try to instill in my kids regardless of how they feel about religion.

Well, I don't have kids either, but if I did, I don't think I'd be forcing my beliefs on them. That said, it's a Pagan household - observancies of the Sabbats, altars, pagan "stuff" around etc, so they'd be raised within that "framework" if you like. But I'd be encouraging them to think for themselves, not to do something simply because it's what mummy does. Rhi and Niord have it pretty spot on from what I've observed, their daughter is naturally curious herself and they just encourage her to make up her own mind and develop her own beliefs without coercion.

Hi. I have three chrildren [one who is eating some of my cake that I cooked this morning] I brought my children up to think for themselves and the treat other as they would like to be treated. I hoped I instilled in them to have a love for everything in life. I certainly tried. But in the end children tend to do there own thing and is does not matter how hard you tried, you can only do your best.
shar.

I have a 10 year old and initially she went to sunday school as we attended for a short time. She always asked questions and I think sensed my underlying belief system - when I finally decided that I wanted to return to my pagan path and Niord joined me we gently made sure that she understood all view points and decided that she should make up her own mind. At major festivals she helped me cook, prepare and asked questions which I answered fully Ultimately she decided for herself that she wished to be pagan - she has my passion for nature, animals , is incredibly intuitive and finds joy in all facets of nature when we walk the shores, forests and fields. For me to explain all paths to her, including christianity, and to watch her make an independent decision was a joy and still is!

I will be bringing my future children up to have open minds, and to explore what feels right for them. Of course I hope they'll be pagans, but hey, who knows what the future holds.


Dryad

I wouldn't bring up my petential children to be any particular religion - I would teach them good morals and manners, and as other people have said, let them learn about everything and make up their own mind.

Should I ever have kiddies, I'll be raising them to keep an open mind. But what they will learn is a reverence for nature and an appreciation of its power. Hopefully I'll also be able to teach them some basic meditations - kids are subject to stresses which they either don't feel they can talk about or which adults, willing as we may be, just can't understand. Anything I can give mine to help them get through such stresses will be given.

I would agree with what Esk states. I would try to make them aware of what the different religions though. I wouldn't want my child(ren) to be closed off spiritually when they become older.

i'd raise my children as children

sure i'll give them information about all of the big world faiths, and they can choose wo go into whatever faith they want to, when they want to, if they even want to have a belief

well... that is, when i have children gonna go to uni and finish before i attempt to get pregnant with my boyfriend, just getting in plenty of safe practise when we can

i don't see the point in bringing a child up in any particular religion as they have their own minds and it'd just end up as disappointing for the parents if the child rebels

*reverts to being a teenager* lol

My daughter's 3, and I'm trying to teach her to respect everything around her. Trying to pass on what i can about nature and stuff and when she asks me in the future what i believe in, i will just be honest with her. I'm conscious that Christianity is often portrayed as the 'true religion' in schools etc, and that different religions are something that people from other countries might believe in, and that the children can learn about, but not really have the option to follow. I think i basically want to bring my daughter up to respect what other people believe in, but know that she is free to believe in whatever works for her.
But first, i guess, i need to make her stop pinching the kid she sits next to in nursery

Possibly the most important thing we can try to teach children (and anyone else!) is how to think, discuss, argue and evaluate.

It's surprising how often arguments about spirituality become circular, especially under pressure.*

If we can teach them to approach spirituality with an open but inquiring mind, then it's a job well done.

The other thing to do is to balance what they hear. I remember my daughter asking about how the world started - I think I got through about 4 different (non-christian) origin myths before she got bored!

*and I don't mean putting a mormon in a wine press, although...

surely those things you talk about are a basic foundatation for any parent bringing up a family. morals and such like.
i dont know how you cant bring up a child in a pagan way, being a pagan is a 24 hr thing, they are bound to pick it up.
i have a new family, but its not mine, they are at an age where they are starting to ask questions, ben, who is 11 doesnt do religion, due to his mother ramming it down his throat. he asked me about my religion, in which i replyed, i dont call it a religion, its just the way i live sweetie.
then he found out he gets yule pressies earlier than xmas pressies.
i think because i dont preach to him values, ie if you do that you go to hell. he is starting to get interested in the whole pagan world.
but that maybe because i said my pagan pals get to play with swords.

I've been thinking about this - being due my first child very soon. I've decided that the child will be brought up and included in my life and lifestyle, but the only thing I will insist on is manners, morals, right and wrong as I see it - some of this will involve typically pagan type things that won't be optional (kindness to animals, respect for self and others, concern for environment) because those will be the rules of the house... as for a religion, the child is free to choose as and when they feel ready.

Hope this makes sense.

stormy: "surely those things you talk about are a basic foundatation for any parent bringing up a family. morals and such like."

I would have thought so too, but then if you look...

One major problem nowadays is how to enforce them. 'Naughty corners' and ignoring problem behaviour only goes so far. I've found that I'm less and less tolerant of disrespect (in children and adults), but it seems to be more and more common.

There are certainly some children out there who are in desperate need of a good slap - but their parents probably need it more!