BY DR. CHRISTINE JAX-CASTILLO — If you are a parent, you probably question if you are making all the right moves to ensure that your children find their own spiritual paths, and reach their full potential. You wonder how you can help your children to follow their soul’s code, while encouraging them to follow your rules.
How can you can teach them right from wrong, while teaching them to see the good in all things? How can you keep them safe in a country where congresswomen and movie-goers are shot at malls, while relaying to them that fear is an illusion of the ego?
The terms “indigo” children or “old soul” children have gathered currency in this era of Barack Obama and gifted young wonders like Dakota Fanning. You wonder, ‘Do I have one?’
Because of your spiritual evolution and path, it is most likely that all your children, born or adopted, are “old soul” children.
But remember, we are all special and all have a reason for being on this planet at this time: we are each here for individual spiritual growth and to inspire further growth in others, and, if you are a parent, you have agreed to juggle both. In the case of rearing an “old soul” child, you have agreed to expedite their spiritual development for their benefit, as well as for the benefit of humanity, as the children who are traveling this path have agreed to do so.
If your child is an “old soul,” he or she . . .
- Developed faster emotionally and intellectually than other children, yet may struggle in school due to constrictions on their creativity and critical thinking abilities
- Understands and demands justice long before the sensibility generally shows up in others
- Demonstrates a global perspective and asks about people not like themselves
- Articulates a sense of charity and service; Wants to help others
- Questions the authority of adults and leaders, and demands respect for themselves
- Possesses one or more paranormal abilities: may see or communicate with non-physical beings such as angels, spirits, and ghosts; heal by touch; remember past lives; share mutual dreams with others; predict future events; sense when something is wrong; view remotely; experience astral projection
- Has a deep interest in religion or spiritual practices
- Communicates easily and actively with their guides, even if they have yet to identify what gives them knowledge about things
How to be a role model for an “old soul” child
To raise an “old soul” child you need to model (show proper behavior), induct (bring out of the child what he or she already knows), and instruct (provide new information). I refer to this as “show, remind, tell.”
Show your children how to be good citizens and stewards of the earth, and be mindful that they are going to emulate much of your behavior. Also keep in mind that they will quickly recognize hypocrisy and just as quickly lose respect for you. Do your best to walk your talk. This means not using physical force, coercion, insults or shaming to get what you want, including proper behavior, from your child.
I always tell people, “If you wouldn’t do or say something to or in front of your boss, don’t do or say it to or in front of your children.”
You can model empathy by speaking your thoughts out loud: “I guess I should pick-up this box I dropped. It wouldn’t be nice to leave more work for the grocer.” Show grace in how you admit mistakes and don’t blame others. Find the good in all situations and in all people. When you are struggling with something someone has done, talk out loud to your child about how you are trying to understand their decisions without judging them.
Remember to teach love to all children
Remind your children of who they are and where they come from. Let them know everything is made out of the same energy, love, which makes all people equal and everything worthy of care and respect. Remind them that happiness is our right, and that it is found only in the moment because the past and present do not concurrently exist.
Help them remember that preparation for the next moment takes knowledge, good work, honesty, and faith; they will see whatever they believe and expect. Discuss with them how forgiveness is essential for personal growth and happiness; peace can only exist if there is forgiveness. It may help to develop meditative and spiritual practices with them as part of your lifestyle.
Tell them every day that you love them, and tell them regularly that you are proud of them and amazed by them. Let them develop with you the household rules and the consequences for breaking those rules. Make sure they understand why there are rules, and be consistent and calm when you enforce those rules and enact punishment. Give them opportunities to care for other people and to care for the earth. Tell your children to follow their dreams, and then give them space and advice for how to do so. Allow them to fulfill their dreams for themselves, not your dreams for them.
Introduce your children to many different spiritual practices, including yours, but let them choose what is comfortable for them. Let them experience chanting, drumming, walking a labyrinth, sitting silently with incense — experiment. Point out to your children all that you have learned from other people and how much is achieved when people work together. Explain that there are multiple perspectives of, and reactions to, any situation.
Create a life for yourself beyond parenting so you can allow and encourage your child to grow beyond you, your beliefs, and your needs, but always, always be your child’s biggest fan.
Dr. Christine Jax-Castillo has a B.A. in Child Psychology, and a Ph.D. in Education. She is an author and international spiritual coach, consultant and speaker. She and her husband have seven children, ages 10 to 28, and they reside in West Palm Beach, Florida.
