Until a few decades ago, parenting was something that everyone just sailed through, no special skills required! Not so much any more. Parenting today has become tougher and more complex than ever before. The rules of the game are changing with every heartbeat, technology is adding to the chaos, and you, as parents may be left trying to navigate unknown waters, often wading through a muddle of conflicting information, that creates tremendous pressure, and feelings of being massively ill-equipped. 

Part of the problem may lie in the fact that everyone's goals have become lopsided, tilting mostly in favour of material pursuits. Competitiveness is the new mantra, with parents pushing their kids to constantly do more, and be more. The rat race begins rather early now. As parents persuade their Children to juggle between school, tuitions, birthday parties, sports practice and guitar lessons, there seems to be little thought or bandwidth left to teach and encourage children on how to become ethically and spiritually strong. So, how do you as parents, take a step back from the hectic rush of daily life, and integrate the gift of spirituality into the lives of your children? How do you give them strong spiritual foundations -- the "real stuff" that will help them wade through life's toughest storms of life? These questions are becoming increasing relevant, as children are becoming more emotionally fragile, less resilient, and more depressed and lonely. As a parent, you need to take a long hard look at the foundations you are laying for your child's moral and spiritual character, and how you can empower them for life by  consciously paying more heed to the value of spiritual parenting. Especially as emotional support systems are diminishing and families are become hyper nuclear. 

Practicing spiritual parenting will give your children a deeper strength of character and being. It teaches them forgiveness, tolerance, appreciation, and gives them belief in an omnipresent support system, one that is ever flowing. You can start right away by simply embracing opportunities through which you can express spirituality in your daily life. Don’t get embroiled in complex rituals. Instead simply turn routine activities into sacred moments – like baking a cake together, setting up fresh flowers, sharing a meal as a family or taking a walk. You can begin your spiritual journey with your children by embracing a few authentic practices, like the ones below.

1.Clarify your own beliefs

Whether or not you practice any organised religion, you'll need to be clear about your own beliefs in order to nurture spirituality in your child. Do you believe in God? Do you believe in a Higher Power or higher consciousness? How was the world created? Is there someone watching over us? Do you believe in karma, hell or heaven? What happens when a person dies? Do you want your child to follow a particular faith and visit a certain house of faith? If you and your partner have different belief systems, it’s wise to decide early on as to which faith the child will follow.

2. Introduce spirituality at an early age

Irrespective of your belief systems, introduce spiritual practices early in life. Be it praying, lighting incense or candles or sitting quietly and talking to God, these practices will become a natural part of your child’s life. Don’t wait too long to share your thoughts on spirituality with your child, because no matter what you do, she will hear about God soon enough. So it’s better she understands it from you, rather than get misguided on the quest. 

3. Don’t be afraid of not having all the answers

You don’t need to have all the answers to your child’s questions. If your child asks where God lives and what s/he looks like, answer honestly and in accordance with your belief. You could say God lives in the skies, or inside every living being. And when don’t know what to say, it’s okay to say that people spend their whole lives trying to figure out that question. And that maybe you will figure this out together.

4. Show your child spirituality in daily life

Each day is sprinkled with examples of spirituality. Make your child notice them. Appreciate them. In the birds, bugs, butterflies, trees -- in themselves and others beings. Point out a beautiful sunset. Show her how to enjoy the rain. Introduce different music into her life.  Help her understand the absolute wonder of food. Create small celebrations and rituals that will make loving, lasting memories to nourish her soul.

5. Let your child see the Divine in nature

There is no purer, more tangible manifestation of Divinity than in nature itself. Teach your child to love, protect and respect nature. Be it animals, plants or any other form. Introduce the idea of the earth and nature being our most precious gift, the heart of the Higher Power or God itself. And essential for our survival. Teach her not to pollute, tell her how wasting paper amounts to cutting more trees, and introduce the concept of recycling at home. If you have a garden, teach her to sow and nourish plants. Involve her in taking care of your pet. Hang a water bowl for birds and let her fill it everyday. Teach her kindness towards stray animals. Maybe depute her to collect waste food for them.

6. Use stories & teach tolerance

Storytelling is a great way to introduce various concepts of right and wrong, good and bad to children. Every spiritual tradition has loads of stories that can help you do that, whilst also subtly introducing the concept of a Higher Power. Read these together with your child.  Let her ask you questions, but don’t become too literal. Also read her stories from other faiths and through that, teach her the importance of tolerance and respect for other faiths.

7. Help you child find a metaphor

God is an abstract concept for children. They need a metaphor for it. Something they can see or easily imagine. You may chose to give them an ornament or an image that reflects your belief system. However, what can be even more empowering is to help her identify a simple image that she can associate with God. Something she can think of, no matter where she is or what she is doing. Like a cloud, flower or the sun. This way, she can simply close her eyes and think of this symbol, and connect with the Divine.

8. Encourage her to communicate with God in her own way

Instill the practice of a simple prayer in the daily life of your child. Encourage her to communicate freely, independently, and regularly with God. Let her know that she can talk about anything, without fear, for God will understand. She can also talk any time, and as many times. But also teach her that every communication need not be to ask for something. She also needs to thank God for various blessings bestowed on her. And to remember that God helps those who help themselves.

9. Unravel the gift of silence

God lives in silence and stillness, and so you teach your child its importance. Encourage her to sit quietly every day for at least ten minutes. This will help her cut off from the non-stop noise and stimuli of her daily routine. It will help her recharge, reflect, calm their mind, and create stillness. 

10. Be creative and have fun

For some reason, people get very serious when it comes to spirituality. However, being spiritual should be joyous and enjoyable. Remember, even God has a sense of humour or we wouldn't have been created! So loosen up, get creative and have some fun with your child. Encourage her to make up a story about God, draw a portrait,  write letter or make a song. Sing and dance to it. Enjoy this simple spiritual practice that humans have embraced from the beginning of time.

Finally, remember the bedrock of spiritual parenting is providing your child with a happy and secure environment at home. It’s believing that she’s special simply for being who she is. It’s knowing that she is a gift from God, and that you are responsible not only for their mind and body , but also for their soul.

Love,

Bindiya

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