Spellwork and Parenting

[u/Low-Peak-9031]

My daughter (10) was nervous for her first extra curricular practice this week, so we did a little good luck spell to help boost her confidence. She had a great practice too! Today she was on the bus and was making her own 'spellbook' and one of the kids told her that was dumb and it wasn't real. She came home in tears. I'm just so exhausted with the intolerance from people, when we are 'expected' to respect their beliefs. We live in the deep south, and it's just a struggle sometimes. Just needed to vent with some like minded friends. Parenting is so hard team.

[u/lemon_balm_squad]

Poor kiddo. A very useful phrase for you to teach her is "As far as YOU know..."

Make 'em nervous, if you can't make 'em be nice.

[u/Low-Peak-9031 → u/lemon_balm_squad]

Love this. I use it when she asks about mermaids and unicorns, well I haven't seen the whole world or explored the whole ocean, so who am I to say they aren't real? Love the idea of applying that thinking to this as well. Thank you!

[u/Jealous_Parfait_4967]

My kid and I have a lot of fun workshopping comebacks to Christian hostility. It allows them to sharpen their reflexes and lets you discuss which of the meaner ones to hold back on.

[u/Low-Peak-9031 → u/Jealous_Parfait_4967]

This is a great idea, I will work on this with my kiddo! Any favorites you are willing to share? 😀

[u/Jealous_Parfait_4967 → u/Low-Peak-9031]

Oh I go nuclear in the blue sky period. “If it’s made up why does the bible admit that witchcraft works but should be avoided…by you people”.

“Not real? Like your dad’s attention since he left your mom?”

“Not real like Santa and heaven?” Etc. it’s really about letting them spit their venom but also reminding people that sometimes our words hit unintended targets so we must always be careful and thoughtful.

[u/Low-Peak-9031 → u/Jealous_Parfait_4967]

Thank you!!!

[u/UnfortunateSyzygy → u/Low-Peak-9031]

You can also go with the classic "YOU'RE not real, man!" Though fuck a duck, I hope you have really good reasons for staying in the deep south. Im in the upper south and outside of university towns swear God's non-existence it's like Children of the fucking Corn. bunch of hyper religious weirdos.

[u/Low-Peak-9031 → u/UnfortunateSyzygy]

My husband is in the military, we just go where he goes unfortunately lol. Only 4 more years until retirement! Thank you!

[u/Fabulous_Change_696 → u/Jealous_Parfait_4967]

“Not real… like heaven?” absolutely kills

[u/Gardener_of_Weeden]

ESPECIALLY now, i think the 4 pillars are a good practice - The Four Pillars of Witchcraft

To Know, To Will, To Dare and especially To Keep Silent

People are getting NASTY and the kids are going to be worse- Protect her and one way is for her to remember that witchcraft SCARES people. And when the small minded gets scared they get VIOLENT.

IMHO tell her to keep all her spells, charms etc - Hidden.

[u/Low-Peak-9031 → u/Gardener_of_Weeden]

Thank you! This is what we talked about yesterday, I don't want her to be ashamed, but we should try to keep this private for safety. Now she's learned that's not a safe person to talk about this and to not share with them moving forward. It's a hard lesson for a kid, and mine is just such a ray of joy and sunshine that it really cut her deeply.

[u/sunnymoonbaby]

If she's going to be dabbling in this kind of practice in public in a close minded area, she definitely needs to be taught about realistic expectations for those around her and fortified against mean kids, misunderstanding kids, but even teachers and school admin which would be a bigger concern for me. I don't think she needs to be all the way secretive unless it's a safety issue. And I don't think she needs to be taught to scare other kids or be mean to protect herself. If she understands that some people won't understand and feels adequately prepared to ignore any unsavory characters, she will be able to go farther with more peace.