Any good books/stories about the spiritual side of parenting?

[mom2geminibaby]

I am a very spiritual person (beleive I am my own god and the universe is my provider). Ever since I had my son I have been searching for info/theories about the spiritual development of babies. The only book I have found so far is Beyond the Rainbow Bridge. It's mostly about the Waldorf education and Rudolf Steiner's ideas. I agree with most of what I've read but it's geared for older kids. I have come up with a lot of my own findings but it would be nice to know I'm not alone. I have not met anyone who is like me so a book would be nice. Any stories about your own experiences would be welcome too!

[Fay]

There was a terrific article in Mothering back in 2004 about children as spiritual teachers.

[Kinguk]

I don't know if you're a fan but Sylvia Browne's 'Psychic Children' was a great book for me.

As for stories, I've worked with children for years so I have a number of stories. I remember this one child (I'm sure he was in Indigo) would come tell me things that children were thinking. One time, at the lunch table, he was sitting beside me and I was about to talk to this child about her banana. Before my mouth opened, out of nowhere he said, "she doesn't want to finish the banana because there's too much of it."

Then, when we were sitting with a group of children, he piped up, "______ has a rainbow above his head"

THEN... he told another staff member about how everybody has "bubbles" around them. When people go from one place to the next they leave parts of their bubbles behind. He liked to run and jump into these parts of the bubbles that they left behind. Then he added, "but that E. (another Indigo), he never leaves any of his bubble behind!"

Kids are amazing...

[moonglowmama]

Well, if you are a Christian, or especially like the ways in which the best of Christianity is exemplified in the parenting of children, I highly recommend anything by Sally Clarkson. She is a mother who really gets what it is to love our children with the love of Christ.

Her family's website is: www.wholeheart.org and from there you can find links to her blog, "I take Joy" which is inspiring in the daily and weekly moments.

here's the direct link to her blog, which is one of my favorites:
http://wholeheart.typepad.com/itakejoy/

[CorbinsMama]

I like the Tao of Motherhood, Buddhism for Mothers, amd Mitten Strings for God (not necessarily spiritual, just a really good, touching book).

[AprilDaisy]

Originally Posted by Kinguk

I don't know if you're a fan but Sylvia Browne's 'Psychic Children' was a great book for me.

As for stories, I've worked with children for years so I have a number of stories. I remember this one child (I'm sure he was in Indigo) would come tell me things that children were thinking. One time, at the lunch table, he was sitting beside me and I was about to talk to this child about her banana. Before my mouth opened, out of nowhere he said, "she doesn't want to finish the banana because there's too much of it."

Then, when we were sitting with a group of children, he piped up, "______ has a rainbow above his head"

THEN... he told another staff member about how everybody has "bubbles" around them. When people go from one place to the next they leave parts of their bubbles behind. He liked to run and jump into these parts of the bubbles that they left behind. Then he added, "but that E. (another Indigo), he never leaves any of his bubble behind!"

Kids are amazing...

This is soooo neat and interesting!!!!

[mom2geminibaby]

Originally Posted by AprilDaisy

This is soooo neat and interesting!!!!

I agree!

[AngelBee]

:

[readermaid]

I recently read Parenting with Spirit: 30 Ways to Nurture Your Child's Spirituality and Enrich Your Family's Life by Jane Bartlett, and I really enjoyed it. The author is Christian, but she is very open to ideas of spirituality from other faiths. I thought it was really practical. I will revisit it when my daughter is older, I think, since the book is more geared toward kids older than my toddler.

[angelailona]

I have been listening to Spiritual Parenting in Unity http://www.modavox.com/unityFM/vshow.aspx?sid=936 and I love it!

[Peppermint Poppies]

Buddhism for Mothers, by Sarah Napthali, and it's sequel are both very good. I'm Christian, but I appreciated the books emphasis on mindfulness and discussion on emotions such as anger and boredom.

[imbarefoot]

I haven't read any books on the topic yet, but the first one on my list is Crystal Lutton's Biblical Parenting.

[zuzunel09]

"Raising them Right" by St. Theophan the Recluse.

[carmel23]

Anchor: God's Promises of Hope to Parents by James B. Stenson is a good read. It is very Catholic, but really speaks to the heart. It is like a cheerleading book of sorts, cheering you on as a parent. It could work for any faith, I think, but he does talk about specifically Catholic things...

[kangamitroo]

one i like is Everyday blessings: The inner work of mindful parenting by Myla and Jon Kabat-Zinn. the book is grounded in zen teachings, but can speak to parents of many traditions. not sure it is exactly what you are looking for in a book, but you might like the encouragement to pay attention and trust in your basic goodness, as well as that of your children.

[Queen of Cups]

I've been playing around with the idea of a writing a book about motherhood as a spiritual journey/practice... thanks for all the suggestions of other books to read along the same lines! (plus, this thread gives me hope that there might actually be other people interested in reading a book like that)

[hrsmom]

Queen of Cups- I'd love to read your book! I say that because being a mother has been an incredible spiritual experience!

[dharmama]

Originally Posted by kangamitroo

one i like is Everyday blessings: The inner work of mindful parenting by Myla and Jon Kabat-Zinn. the book is grounded in zen teachings, but can speak to parents of many traditions. not sure it is exactly what you are looking for in a book, but you might like the encouragement to pay attention and trust in your basic goodness, as well as that of your children.

i was going to add this one. this book really touched me deeply.

[indie]

I've just started reading In the Midst of Chaos: Caring for Children as Spiritual Practice. It is a Christian book. I'm not far enough into it to say whether its good or not, but it seems interesting.

[Peppermint Poppies]

Originally Posted by kangamitroo

one i like is Everyday blessings: The inner work of mindful parenting by Myla and Jon Kabat-Zinn.

I found this book for $2 at a clearance sale last week : I can't wait to start reading it.