Moor
Parenting
Topic: Raising a child through the Dark Side (1 of 4),
Greetings all,
I'm interested in finding some guidelines for bringing up a child through the dark side. Yet I feel it poses a few paradoxes, f.ex: I want the child to respect and trust me as a father, but I don't want this child to learn to put too much faith in, and be subdued by other authorities like teachers and sports coaches. I especially consider kindergarten teachers and school psychologists hazardous to a child that's being brought up through the dark side. The kindergarten teacher is dangerous because he/she works with the children at a very young age and teach things that though it may work well to keep the children under control, it still works against the child's individuality, "share this and do that". The school psychologist comes into play later, when child of the wolf begins to exhibit different behavioral patterns than that of the children of the sheep. Maybe an option would be to teach the child at home, but I don't want this child to become shy of others, the child must be able to handle itself in a room full of people. I believe that the necessary social skills are achieved only through interaction with others as would happen in a school yard or in a classroom. Anyway, general guidelines on how to raise a child through the dark side, plus any comments would be appreciated.
(author info lost)
Topic: Raising a child through the Dark Side (2 of 4),
While I am not a darksider, I am a mother that has radically different beliefs than most anyone my son will ever meet in school. I think perhaps what you are concerned with is that your child not be brainwashed into believing as society as a whole does? That they retain the ability to think and decide things for themselves? I know personally, that the issue of respect is a toughie. How to keep a child "masked" so that they are
not singled out for attention by the do gooder crew of any school, while ensuring that they do not cave into respect based upon the assumption ( right or wrong) of power by convention by other officials in a childs life.
It won't do me any good to teach my son to go to school wearing a pentacle and spouting candle magick correspondences. All that will do is get the "powers that be" after me, and will create a conflict for my son. Who does he believe? His Mamma? Or his teachers? The trick to it, regardless of path, is to teach your child that everyone, even the "sheep" are entitled to an opinion. There is a power that comes from the masses. Our children should know about it, and be AWARE of it, at a very early age. This would even apply to things such as peer pressure... drugs.. sex what have you. I am not sure exactly how one of the dark would approach this, all I can say is that I as a Witch, will be teaching my son the Craft at home as a option for his own path. He doesn't have to follow it, and indeed, should not if it is not his true way. I will be making sure his grades are above reproach, his manners superb, his demeanor gracious. For the simple fact that when one is percieved to be "going somewhere", you can get away with a whole lot more. I remember the teachers at school folding like paper when one of the star pupils wanted an exception. Heck, I even got away with breaking a pesky "suitors" nose with a math book in the sixth grade. They sent me home, with five dollars for lunch and all of my homework assignments all gathered up for me.Got away with it cold.
Why? Because I had the best average in the class, never spoke out of turn and brought the teachers flowers from my garden. I will be teaching my son that there are things that other people don't need to know, because they don't want to. To tell them would only upset them, and would in turn hurt us. Maybe there will be a time when kids can just go be themselves, but in an age where people are on the lookout for ANYTHING that is out of the "norm" , expecting a shooting or bombing to be hard on its heels, I am afraid I am taking a stance of compromise. It is better, to me, that my son get to manhood with my teachings intact, even if concealed. Far better than to have him taken away, or at the very least, have his faith and trust in me destroyed. I don't know if this helped you out at all. I am more than willing to talk and brainstorm if anyone else wants to. So glad you brought the topic up!
Life takes strength.
Passion gives power.
Love takes practice.
(author info lost)
Topic: Raising a child through the Dark Side (3 of 4),
I am not yet a parent, but as a human and someone who may one day be a mother, I can follow the train of thought. I do see one thing that makes me question your intentions though.. your immediate desire to bring up a child in the path of the Darkside. I understand that that is your own personal path and belief system, which you are entitled to impart to your child.. but you must also realize that the child has to choose his own path.... which may very well be different from your own.
I think your base intentions are honorable, though. Wanting to provide the best for a child is what every parent should strive for.. and making them a person who can live in the world today should be top on the list.
(author info lost)
Topic: Raising a child through the Dark Side (4 of 4),
An interesting question....
I am no father but do look forward to having children one day. The question of how to pass on your own studies and knowledge to your offspring is a popular point of discussion among the dark jedi of Germany. These suggestions are untested and therefore without guarantee. The best that can be said about these theories is that they are momentarily the best advice to be given, on our behalf.
How to pass the knowledge of the darkside to the offspring of the warriors:
The average age of power emersion lies between 14-18 years of age. This would be the dead-line to devise a plan leading your offspring to the dark side. If you have not been able to implement a plan prior to this point, you must not dismay. Least of the dark jedi have been 'brought up' to meet their destiny. It is usally the confrontation of their powers that lead to considering their actual believe in the world and beyond.
Yet if you wish to 'do the most' you can to flatten out the path to darkness in younger years, then you might consider this: The points mentioned on psychologists and teachers is true and is a danger. Small children tend to say what they think without considering consequences. A fact that has little to do with their intelligence and more with their open nature. Therefore confronting them with the teachings of the dark side before they can keep their opinions to themself is the first restriction. A child should perhaps reach 12 years of age before considering a first contact.
What to do with a child less than 12? The best thing to do is to explain everything to a child as far as possible. Explain it without personal criticism, making clear that the own opinion can only stem from the self. This might not be understood by the fledgling but in due time it will also understand the respect you show before their own initial opinion. Of course, slight manipulation can always be passed on. What you show the child and what you explain is up to you.
- "Why is that man digging through garbage ccans?"
- "Why do other children make fun of me?"
>
- "Why aren't all people friends?"
- "Why do people use force on others?"
These are questions where you should try to explain the entire interaction and context as good as possible. A child that understands the inherent selfish, evil, careless nature of humanity in early years will easily give up his own hopes by means of his own conclusions. Explain the inperfection of humanity. Explain that this imperfection is to fact, but a matter of choice by those that don't fell like it, that are to arogant, or stupid (your childe is always intelligent). Explain on the other hand, the importance the child's own manners, the ability to listen to other opinions even if they don't match the childs own. Even if just to understand more. That is perhaps the main clue. The child should want to understand all and you must show it to him. Not to forceful as to frighten the child (no discussions of evil) but enough so that the child must eventually come to the same conclusions that we do:
- it is important to be yourself
- Important to try and understand (those whoo don't are stupid and ignorant)
- Important to consider what you want and hoow to get it
- important not to overestimate yourself (doon't break their self confidence)
- Important to have good manners
- Important to make a good picture of yourseelf
- Important to expect from other what you giive them*
This point is especially important. A child that expects others to act as mindful as they do themselves (or try to) will quickly show that others who don't, must be less intelligent, mindful, capable. If they ask if a single person can be worth more than another, then show them both views:
- On the one hand "Who could say so?" (God, Religion, philosophy)
- On the other hand "Well, what do you thinkk?"
The child will come to a personal view that these others must be worth less. He will devise that it must remain a private opinion, since it can not be proven to others.
A second valuable hin is towards the question of religion. A dark sider does not really feel urged to give their children a christian background as it has little to do with their own opinion, but it might just be the best way to do it. What will happen if you raise them slightly christian (CCD, Sunday church now and then, etc) They will isten to it and think it is good (it takes away their initial fear of death) But in the long run, they will not want to go to church (boring) on a regular basis. Don't force them if they don't want to (but make them go once or twice a year, so that they can learn to resent it. maybe to x-mas or something) Let them read the bible. Let them live in illusion for some years. A mindful child will meet the incsistents of the bible (god and church should be one) and the church.
-God is good (He flooded the earth. Demandedd people to sacrifice their children to him. Old testament; will destroy the earth one day when he decides that there are more evil than good people, instead of doing anything more origional)
-The church is good (no safer sex(Problem Affrica), caused the inquisition, caused the holy wars against Jerusalem, causes taxes (in some countries). Decided in the '70s that the earth does rotate around the sun and not vice versa (kind of early))
This should suffice to allow the child to gather their 'own' opinion that the church and therefore god (if there is a god why doesn't he act against the church if they differ that strongly from his path. Result: God likes it or doesn't care) Especially if they dealth with religion for some years in their life, will the children seek out other possibilities to satisfy that yearning for religion/spirituality that exists in all people. But one day the child will emerge to be 12, 14, 16, 18, whenever a power or the time emerges where you would like to begin their training.
An important suggestion on this topic:
Forget teaching them yourself. I have seen many wiccas, witches, mages, whatevers trying to openly show their children what they do. Children don't want to be like their parents. In matters of spirituality they don't want to accept the opinion of their parents but have another. If you try to teach your own child you must either brutaly force your child into submission you will break more than you gain. You do not want your own child to be a slave but rather a mindful being with the cabaility to achieve power and the spirit to actively and willingly seek knowledge. If you force them to listen and not think, they will never be able to rise to the level of individual thought as you would prefer.
The best solution for this matter is the need of an ally:
By the time your children reach the age you will hopefully have another knight or ally of the dark that you can rely on. Bring this person into the view of a child early as a 'friend of the family'. The person should try to get along with your child. At a certain age this person and your child will hold a 'secret behind your back' as the person speaks with your child on the level of an individual and show them what is to be needed. This is the path the child should take. If you are to present yourself to the child as a master of darkness or not, should not be considered before they are 25 and are able to cope with their parents on this level.
These are the best suggestions from a row of men and women of darkness, through different religions, magicks, and organisations as we all share the same problem. I hope it helps.
Darth Moor