I learned something so great yesterday I have to share. My son is in Cub Scouts. I know, I know Spiral Scouts is better for pagan kids. I disagree with teaching my son segregation simple because he CHOSE to be pagan like him mommy. Not only that our local chapter is still ironing out kinks. I want him to be involved in a nationally recognized organization for when he is completing his applications for college and work. (thinking ahead just a little). Anyway my opinion is not the point of this blog.
My point is this year he is a Wolf and he is required to complete his religious award to get his badge. I discussed it with him and explained there is no pagan badge but since his father is Christian he can get that badge so his not missing out. He said he is pagan and wants to get a pagan patch or none at all. WAY TO GO SON! Ok.....so I am the committee chair of the pack (hehe) and at one of the meetings with the council they explained if there is a solid reason a boy cannot earn a patch he can apply to have it waived. My son said he would rather waive it. Smart kid for 7. Soooooo I was going to prepare to complete the forms in September to waive the badge. But then a great break thru for pagans, VA approved the pentacle. So I thought I would look and see if the Boy Scouts are reviewing the Wiccan patch. I did not find anything about that but I did find this website http://www.cog.org/projects/hartcres.html Guess what that is the badge Scouters can complete that is Pagan.
Needless to say I was thrilled. When I told my son he about jumped out of his seat screaming. Not only that my point of not segregating ourselves can still be continued. Pagans get enough crap but if we start making our own clubs and Christian bash how does that make us better than the Black vs. White after slavery and segregation was enforced. We need to be careful to not recreate that environment in our world today.
I did it. Learning Lilipads is born. Here is the link to the group I started. I am so excited.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/learning_lilipads/
I have the beginnings posted and will work on getting the first set up today or tomorrow. I am so excited. Naturally I am open to suggestions and opinions.
I need the input of other parents on how they are teaching their
children the pagan faith. Some mothers I know locally started a group
for children that my son and I did attend a few times. Unfortunately I
felt there was very little structure and my son was losing interest.
Since then I have been reflecting on the urge to start my own system. I
dont know exactly the structure I will follow but I know that I want to
help the children connect and understand mother nature before they are
taught the nitty gritty. After that I would like the children to learn
to listen to their instincts and self reflection and esteem. From there
the Gods and Goddeses....elements.....and eventually introduction (not
emersion) to many pagan paths and religions. That is about as much as I
have thought of.
Once I have the first "unit" together i know
of some free online school sites I will post it so all pagan parents
can have a teaching resource. I have looked and looked and find only
sites that have limited information, tips and lessons. There are many
books (great books) but no one book for children from the beginning of
learning self, and the world around you. Some sites are for
homeschooling and include all subjects and are ment for full time
classes. (Too heavy for weekly family activities) There are many many
sites for adults to path study that are free. I feel that it is vital
we as parents provide our children, the fruit of tomorrow, with all the
tools they need.
Any tips will be greatly appreciated so Covenspacers.....Sound off!
I am an active person all around. I am told that I am very interesting because my interests and talents are ever surprising. I am a single mother of a wonderful 6 year old angel. I work full time, but never fail to find time for what matters to me. I am working on getting my Real Estate business off the ground and hoping to open an online clothing store soon. I keep an ear open to get my internship done for my paralegal degree. I volunteer at a local live arts center and in my son’s boy scouts, wrestling and children’s circle. My son wants to get back into 4H and when he does I will be a leader there. I also run with a couple other moms a child’s pagan training class. To top it all off I am taking my Year and a Day for my first Degree and learning to write HTML.
If you tried to fit me in a box it won’t work. I enjoy the theatre one day and NASCAR the next. I enjoy opera, gambling, dancing, drum circles, hiking, picnicking, movies, theatre, races, rodeos, rituals, parties, karaoke (more listening and singing along), pool, video games, chat rooms of all sorts, family gatherings, watching/attending/playing sports…the list goes forever…Mostly I am a very social person and love to meet and talk to open minded people. Share ideas and learn.
