The Spiritual Child by Lisa Miller

I am reading a fascinating book called The Spiritual Child which goes into scientific evidence of our inherent spirituality and our children's needs for spiritual development. I find it really intriguing. I highly recommend this read for all parents and people who work with children.

I am not yet a parent but I am planning to be one soon so I am exploring different parenting topics. Spirituality is very important to me and something I want to share with my family.

Do any of you find spirituality to be an aspect of parenting that you incorporate or are curious about?

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Starcrossed · 41-45, F

Yes, teaching mindfulness and meditation has been helpful. I've also had to field many questions on what various friends and family believe vs what we her parents believe. Around 3 she had a big fascination with the concept of reincarnation for about a year. Her best friend had many questions about what her grandmother believed and her mom asked me to help because she wasn't familiar with that doctrine. Her dad had refused to answer the questions because he had some weird idea he could only talk to her about religion and spirituality when she turned 12. Nevermind she was asking thoughtful questions already at 4.

...whether you want to talk to your kids about spiritual stuff or not, they might curious and asking/craving it.

curiouspirit · 36-40, F

@Starcrossed Thank you for your insight! The book certainly elaborated on the fact that children will be open about their thoughts and spirituality will come up and yes they ask and need to know its ok to ask and talk about it.

I think it's great that meditation and mindfulness is being introduced to children. I myself have done some teaching to kids.

That's so interesting about the 3 year old and the interest in reincarnation. People do have some strange ideas that they can't talk about serious stuff with kids until they are older when in reality it can be addresses much sooner in age appropriate ways.

Thanks for your response.

Human1000 · M

@Starcrossed @curiouspirit I don’t really view meditation and mindfulness as themselves especially spiritual.

BiasForAction · M

Scientific evidence of spirituality? I’m all in.

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BiasForAction · M

@AtticEscapee asking an irrelevant question.

AtticEscapee · F

@BiasForAction Name pleaase.

curiouspirit · 36-40, F

@BiasForAction Check out Lisa Miller! She has done extensive studies and the findings are outstanding. Spirituality proves to be protective against depression particularly in adolescents as well as adults. Other very interesting findings are discussed. She has a powerful video on You Tube if you search her name there you should be able to find it!

BlueSkyKing · M

When something like this is claimed to be scientific, I get curious. Ran across a 2015 article that questions the "shady science" of this book. I’m not a parent and non religious skeptic.

https://www.thedailybeast.com/shady-science-in-spiritual-child-bestseller

curiouspirit · 36-40, F

@BlueSkyKing Interesting article. Thanks for sharing. It does show some support for the book despite it's initial eye-grabbing title.

Human1000 · M

No, as an atheist that’s not something I have done.

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