by Flame
We attended a Midsummer festival put on by the small, but growing, pagan community in West Tennessee. I just want to say kudos to the many pagan parents I met in Denver. You are truly an inspiration to me and I hope to pass along what I learned to the parents in the new community we are involved in. Why?
It was a little upsetting to me to see so many children with little respect to Mother Earth and no circle etiquette. I'm far from an expert myself, but I wanted to remind everyone that our children learn from our example and teaching. The busy season of festivals is in full swing now and these are just a few things to remember:
1. If children are not invited to be in circle, be sure there is a responsible adult around to keep them busy and quiet. There is nothing more disturbing than a child barging in through the west screaming at mom to ask for a soda.
2. Many festivals are held outdoors in national and local parks. This is a wonderful time to teach children respect for the Earth. Beating trees with sticks and rocks, tossing paper and other garbage into water, not cleaning up after eating... we don't do it, so remind the children not to also.
3. If you plan on attending festivals with your children and see no activities planned for them, volunteer to plan a few! Gather a few other parents around and perhaps work out a schedule with the children. Remind the festival planners that the children are a part of this and need activities just as the adults do.
4. Be responsible for your children. Often times, one child with a parent wanders off on a little nature hike and before you know it, more children are involved and the parent of the first child is left watching out for them all. Take turns keeping an eye on the kids, but don't let one parent take the burden of them all.
5. Even if you don't have children, never be afraid to speak up! Most pagan parents don't mind a bit, especially if said children are about to jump off a cliff. Gently, but firmly, tell the children to stop. A good tactic is "How do we want to do this? Do you tell your parents or do I?" We want our children to enjoy themselves, but not get hurt. As parents, we are responsible for our children, but as a community we are responsible for each other.
6. Enjoy the time you spend with children. They grow up way too fast.
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