Logged Out For Privacy Because...

[permanentvacation]

I fully understand parents asking what religion a daycare provider is. Being a daycare provider is not like being a waitress. We, as daycare providers, are partnering with the children's parents to help raise their children. We are basically a third parent for the child. Just like a woman should not plan to have and raise a child with a man (or vise versa) without asking about their religion and other major beliefs, they should not enter a partnership with a daycare provider without asking about their religion and other major beliefs. I fully believe that the parents have every right to know what my core beliefs are and have the right to say whether or not they want their child to be with a person who has those beliefs on a constant daily basis.

[KidGrind]

Ok. You guys have inspired me to come out of the broom closet. At least, on the forum! Baby steps, right? I am the original Unregistered poster of this thread. Your understanding and advice have been PRICELESS. Thanks so much!

Much respect and thanks for sharing your truth.

[KidGrind]

I fully understand parents asking what religion a daycare provider is. Being a daycare provider is not like being a waitress. We, as daycare providers, are partnering with the children's parents to help raise their children. We are basically a third parent for the child. Just like a woman should not plan to have and raise a child with a man (or vise versa) without asking about their religion and other major beliefs, they should not enter a partnership with a daycare provider without asking about their religion and other major beliefs. I fully believe that the parents have every right to know what my core beliefs are and have the right to say whether or not they want their child to be with a person who has those beliefs on a constant daily basis.

I am in only one partnership and that is with my husband. I am a sole propriety and I enter into a business agreement with clients to take care of their children. My faith, religious beliefs or lack thereof is absolutely none of their business.

[NightOwl]

Agreed kingrind. I don't want to say to someone "none of your business", but it really isn't. It's a business relationship. I understand how it easily becomes a personal relationship if you let it, but that would open you up to more scrutiny.

[Laurel]

I fully understand parents asking what religion a daycare provider is. Being a daycare provider is not like being a waitress. We, as daycare providers, are partnering with the children's parents to help raise their children. We are basically a third parent for the child. Just like a woman should not plan to have and raise a child with a man (or vise versa) without asking about their religion and other major beliefs, they should not enter a partnership with a daycare provider without asking about their religion and other major beliefs. I fully believe that the parents have every right to know what my core beliefs are and have the right to say whether or not they want their child to be with a person who has those beliefs on a constant daily basis.

You have a point but I have never been asked in 20 years or asked the parents their religion/beliefs. However, when my firstborn started in a Montessori preschool, it's director was a Catholic nun. Montessori is not a religious philosophy so I did ask. She assured me hers was a secular program so I sent my son there.

I think it is fine to ask but also ok if a provider chooses not to say then parent doesn't have to choose that provider.

[crazydaycarelady]

I haven't had time to read all of the responses. I have never had anyone ask about religion in all the time I have been doing dc. I think I would be inclined to tell them it is irrelevant since it has no place in my business. But if you feel the need to answer I love this quote from you

The earth is sacred, all life springs forth from her, God is not found in a church, God is in every person, animal, plant, stream, in every aspect of nature."

Just don't label yourself.

[CtheLove]

I Love Love Love this thread!!!!!! Their is just so much understanding going around, it has made my night. I have been kind'a on and off learning about Paganism and Wicca, because I have been so worried what others would think. I have been wanting to get back into it but worried if a parent found out and now I have gained new confidence. I love this forum!

C the Love, Feel the Love, Share the Love

[NightOwl]

I Love Love Love this thread!!!!!! Their is just so much understanding going around, it has made my night. I have been kind'a on and off learning about Paganism and Wicca, because I have been so worried what others would think. I have been wanting to get back into it but worried if a parent found out and now I have gained new confidence. I love this forum!

C the Love, Feel the Love, Share the Love

Ya!! Merry meet!

[SunshineMama]

I have not read all of the other posts, but I just wanted to say that I am sorry that you feel like you can't be your whole and complete self at your own daycare. I have had one couple ask me what religion I was during an interview once and I was so taken aback. I suppose that I understand why a parent may ask, however if you are looking for something specific, then you should seek that out, not ask every person you interview personal questions like that.

Can you advertise "secular/naturalist/(insert specialty here) daycare?" Perhaps there are many others out there that feel the same as you and are looking for something specific.

[Michelle]

can you help me understand?
I had a neighbor who was a witch and she actually told me that she had participated in baby sacrifices in the past and they actually had breeders who would get pregnant just to supply them with enough babies to do this.
She left and fled to California and was being tracked down by them because one of her kids was the high priest's child and she was scared because she didn't want them to find her.. she was pregnant and they said her baby was going to be sacrificed next.
She became a Christian and last I heard she and her kids are safe and still in hiding. She often offered to watch my kids and I always said no.(My choice, no offense)

I am confused by your statements that witchcraft is a peaceful religion and doesn't hurt anyone.
I seriously am not trying to start anything I just want some clarification.

[NightOwl]

Wow! One bad apple ruins the bushel! That's the best way I can explain it. People like that are who gives the vast majority of us a bad name. That is some serious dark witchcraft. I wouldn't leave my kids with her either! Honestly, this sounds like she was part of an occult type organization. That is, not at all, in nooooo way, typical of your average pagan/witch. Not even a little bit. Lol. They were likely worshiping something that I don't even acknowledge as real: the devil. The devil is a Christian concept derived from our God of the forest, Pan. Also known as the Green Man. He is usually depicted with horns and the lower body of an animal with hooves, or with a face entirely covered in leaves. For pagans/witches, he is the god of the hunt. In centuries past, he would be called upon and worshiped to bless a hunt so that it would be successful. Yes, he's intimidating and scary looking, but no devil. Most of us don't even believe in a devil or the concept of hell.

[Angelsj]

can you help me understand?
I had a neighbor who was a witch and she actually told me that she had participated in baby sacrifices in the past and they actually had breeders who would get pregnant just to supply them with enough babies to do this.
She left and fled to California and was being tracked down by them because one of her kids was the high priest's child and she was scared because she didn't want them to find her.. she was pregnant and they said her baby was going to be sacrificed next.
She became a Christian and last I heard she and her kids are safe and still in hiding. She often offered to watch my kids and I always said no.(My choice, no offense)

I am confused by your statements that witchcraft is a peaceful religion and doesn't hurt anyone.
I seriously am not trying to start anything I just want some clarification.

Like every religion (and many political entities) there are always those who take something good and turn it into something evil. We have seen this in a huge variety of religious sectors.
Catholic- Inquisition
Puritans- Salem
Muslim- Taliban
Protestants- Westboro
You can have this in any type of religion. What your friend was part of does exist, but it is not what Wednesday is referring to in her own religion. It is a nasty byproduct using "witchcraft" as a means to do horrific things.

[SunshineMama]

can you help me understand?
I had a neighbor who was a witch and she actually told me that she had participated in baby sacrifices in the past and they actually had breeders who would get pregnant just to supply them with enough babies to do this.
She left and fled to California and was being tracked down by them because one of her kids was the high priest's child and she was scared because she didn't want them to find her.. she was pregnant and they said her baby was going to be sacrificed next.
She became a Christian and last I heard she and her kids are safe and still in hiding. She often offered to watch my kids and I always said no.(My choice, no offense)

I am confused by your statements that witchcraft is a peaceful religion and doesn't hurt anyone.
I seriously am not trying to start anything I just want some clarification.

I'm sure there's extremists in every religion. Remember the "christian" preacher who protested certain funerals, and burned the koran?

[NightOwl]

For 98% of us, paganism is the reverence and worship of a goddess and a god that reside in each of us, in each tree, stream, animal, cloud floating by. We consider ourselves surrounded by them. Therefore, we have a deep respect for all life and the planet. We're activists for the environment, usually liberals, big on women's rights ( men are witches too, not just us girls), and big on equality for the races, sexual preferences and the genders. Most pagans believe in the Summerland, which is where early Christians got the concept of heaven. We believe communion with the gods is possible because they are everywhere, in everything. When we hold rituals or participate in a circle or "cast a spell", that's how we pray. The difference is when Christians pray, they bow their heads and talk to God. When we pray, we use our whole bodies, burn herbs and candles, pour water, sprinkle salt, etc. We consider these offerings. So spell work is essentially prayer with the addition of offering something as a "thank you" for hearing me type thing.
I'm adding all of this because I really want people to be educated about how it normally is. We're not scary, we just do things differently. And the situation that Michelle described is horrific. That wasn't true witchcraft, that was something totally evil hiding behind the guise of witchcraft.

[NightOwl]

Like every religion (and many political entities) there are always those who take something good and turn it into something evil. We have seen this in a huge variety of religious sectors.
Catholic- Inquisition
Puritans- Salem
Muslim- Taliban
Protestants- Westboro
You can have this in any type of religion. What your friend was part of does exist, but it is not what Wednesday is referring to in her own religion. It is a nasty byproduct using "witchcraft" as a means to do horrific things.

This exactly!