Welcome to Grace and Space, a weekly newsletter from the Deconstructing Mamas Podcast! GRACE for who you have been, are now and SPACE for who you are becoming and will be!
Sign up to make sure it pops right into your inbox HERE.
As you deconstruct your faith, creating new spiritual traditions and practices tailored just for your family can help you and your family maintain a sense of connection, meaning, and continuity. These new practices can be tailored to reflect your evolving beliefs and values, providing a framework for spiritual growth and family bonding.
We posted out on our "socials" about the best advice we can give each other when we are in this evolving faith and parenting boat, and have compiled so much of your wisdom (and a little bit of ours) into a "where does our family go from here?" LIST (hate that word, but will use it anyway).
So here goes...here's what we are finding... maybe your family can try on some of these proverbial "hats" and see which one fits best.
1. Nature-Based Practices
Nature Walks: Regular nature walks can become a meditative practice for the entire family. Use this time to reflect on the beauty of the natural world, discuss the interconnectedness of life, and express gratitude for the environment. This is a lifeline for Lizz personally!!
Seasonal Celebrations: Celebrate the changing seasons with rituals that honor the cycles of nature. Plant a garden in spring, have a bonfire in summer, collect leaves in fall, and build a snowman or create winter crafts in winter. Esther has been doing a whole "watch the full moon rise" every month along with dinner out and ice cream!!
Outdoor Meditation: Practice mindfulness or meditation outdoors. Teach your children simple breathing exercises or guided meditations that focus on connecting with nature.
2. Gratitude Practices
Gratitude Jar: Keep a jar where family members can drop notes of things they are grateful for. At the end of each week or month, read them together to foster a sense of appreciation and positivity.
Gratitude Circles: During meals or before bed, take turns sharing something each person is grateful for. This practice encourages a daily reflection on the positives in life.
3. Acts of Service
Community Involvement: Engage in community service as a family. Volunteer at local shelters, participate in neighborhood cleanups, or organize charity drives. Acts of service foster empathy and a sense of purpose.
Random Acts of Kindness: Encourage spontaneous acts of kindness. This could be as simple as baking cookies for a neighbor, helping someone carry groceries, or writing thank-you notes to teachers and friends.
4. Creative Expressions
Art and Craft Projects: Use art as a way to explore and express spirituality. Create vision boards, paint, draw, or engage in craft projects that reflect your family’s values and aspirations.
Music and Dance: Incorporate music and dance into your spiritual practices. Create playlists of uplifting songs, have family dance sessions, or learn to play an instrument together.
5. Storytelling and Reading
Storytime: Share stories that convey moral lessons, cultural heritage, or personal experiences. Reading together can be a bonding activity that also imparts values and wisdom.
Create a Family Book: Write and illustrate a book that tells your family’s story, values, and traditions. This can be a living document that evolves over time.
6. Mindfulness and Meditation
Mindful Moments: Introduce short, daily mindfulness practices. These can include mindful eating, mindful walking, or simply sitting quietly together for a few minutes each day.
Guided Meditations: Use guided meditations designed for families or children. These can help in developing a practice of inner reflection and calmness. The FREE Insight Timer App has lots of good ones!!
7. Celebrating Milestones
Personalized Ceremonies: Create your own ceremonies to mark important life events such as birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, or any significant personal achievements. These can include personalized rituals that reflect your family’s values.
Daily Rituals: Establish simple daily rituals, like lighting a candle at dinner, having a family hug before bed, or starting the day with a positive affirmation. These rituals provide stability and a sense of togetherness.
8. Cultural and Interfaith Exploration
Explore Different Traditions: Learn about and incorporate practices from various cultures and faiths that resonate with your family. This broadens understanding and respect for diversity.
Interfaith Dialogues: Encourage open discussions about different spiritual beliefs and practices. This can be done through books, documentaries, or inviting friends from different backgrounds to share their experiences.
Creating new spiritual traditions and practices can enrich your family's life, providing a meaningful framework for connection and growth. These practices should be flexible and evolve as your family's needs and beliefs change. The goal is to foster a sense of belonging, purpose, and joy, while nurturing the spiritual well-being of each family member. By integrating these new traditions, you create a unique spiritual path that honors your journey and values.
BIG News (READY TO REGISTER):
The "Parenting Beyond Belief" online summit is a comprehensive and supportive event aimed at parents who are in the process of deconstructing toxic faith systems while navigating the challenges of parenting. The summit brings together a diverse group of speakers, including therapists, theologians, coaches, spiritual directors, and fellow parents, to offer insights, strategies, and encouragement. STARTS JULY 29th and you get emails every day for 10 days with the link to the daily video that you will have access to forever!! NO COMMITMENT TO A SPECIFIC TIME FRAME! Watch/listen at your leisure!!
These conversations that will include valuable insight for navigating the rollercoaster of parenting littles, middles and big kids, holding on for the ride of a lifetime while, at the same time, deconstructing and reconstructing our own ever-evolving faith!
Videos on the secret sauce of “Rupture and Repair" and "Rewilding Your Child's Soul" are just a taste of what this summit will bring you.
You'll be able to watch the video while you’re up too late scrolling your phone OR just listen to the audio of it while while making one of those parent drives we all have a love/hate relationship with.
PLUS, you will have access FOREVER! This is a DO-NOT-MISS opportunity that is just what you’ve been waiting for! MAKE SURE YOU USE THE COUPON CODE!!
Join our private PATREON group. For as little as $3/month, you will get lots of extras from Lizz and Esther, including deeper discussions about topics on the podcast, first dibs on knowing about future exciting projects and perhaps some special deals exclusive to those projects and our NEW QUARTERLY ZOOM DISCUSSION GROUP where we dive lots deeper into the things we need to sort out with parenting and deconstructing.
We love our podcast!
We love our guests!
We love our amazing assistant, Julie!
We love helping you walk the tricky tightrope of parenting and deconstructing at the same time!
We do NOT love asking for help (or money) in order to keep it going!
But we also don't love feeling alone in this!
Head to this LINK to join us! You won't regret it! And plus, the reality is that you will help us keep the lights on over here at Deconstructing Mamas. We really really want to! Thank you in advance!
One last thing. We want to remind you that we are so glad you are here. We wouldn't be the same without you. You will always find GRACE for where you've been and who you are now, and SPACE for who you are becoming and will be.
Carry on, our new-found friends. Welcome to the twisty-windy, full -of-adventure faith path that's laid out before us all. Love,
Lizz & Esther
P.S. SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER HERE!
Comments