|
A Spiritual Approach
to Parenting
|
(ARA) – Are you raising
a child who is special in some way you can’t put your finger
on? Maybe your son or daughter is a challenge -- always on an
emotional rollercoaster -- or wise beyond their years.
“Kids are very different
in how they react to the world. I believe it is our job as parents
to recognize this fact and provide them with the coaching and
support they need to thrive,” says Marilyn Barrick, PhD.,
a psychologist and author of the new book, “A Spiritual
Approach to Parenting: Secrets of Raising the 21st Century Child."
The book begins with an explanation
of why the author thinks parents are having such a tough time
raising kids in this day and age. “When I sat down to write
this book I reflected back on my childhood and remembered a time
when being a kid meant you had the license to be innocent and
carefree,” says Dr. Barrick. “Today’s children
are inundated with non-stop information via the television and
Internet which includes images of violence, war and terrorism.
They are growing up thinking that’s the way it’s supposed
to be, which of course it isn’t." |
|
Throughout the book, the author
points out the importance of parents creating security in an
insecure world, and the importance of giving kids a place to
belong. Dr. Barrick says a good place to start is with an understanding
of your child’s soul.
* The Indigo Children
If your child is intuitive, active
and wise beyond their years, they could be classified as one
of the Indigo Children. These children have difficulty with absolute
authority and get frustrated with systems that are ritual-oriented.
They also relate better to adults than other kids their age.
Dr. Barrick says these children need to be guided rather than
controlled.
* The Crystal Children
If your child is upbeat, compassionate
and forgiving, and seems intrigued by crystals and other stones,
they could be classified as one of the Crystal Children. These
kids may be late to communicate verbally, but their parents swear
they have a telepathic connection with them. Doctors often misdiagnose
there kids as being autistic, only to change their minds once
they do begin communicating verbally around 3 or 4-years of age.
* The Spirited Child
Spirited children have an emotional
intensity, are supersensitive to stimuli and have a hard time
handling change. They can go from calm to all fired up in a matter
of seconds for no apparent reason. They are also gifted thinkers
who exhibit persistence in activities or ideas they choose and
frequently bring up experiences their parents have long since
forgotten.
“All of these children have
tremendous potential. They simply need to learn by careful, loving
instruction how to handle the tremendous energy that is flowing
through them,” says Dr. Barrick.
Once parents determine what values
rate highest with their children, the book helps them figure
out how to share their beliefs, values, ideas and motivations
with the child in an age-appropriate manner.
“Throughout my career, the
one thing that’s made a major difference in the lives of
my clients is the decision to let God back into their lives.
Once they do that, their problems don’t seem as significant,”
says Dr. Barrick. |
Beauty Secrets of the World
