Caretaking a New Soul: Writing on Parenting from Thich Nhat Hahn to Z. Budapest

Rating:
Summary: This book will change you
Review: Anne Carson had me hooked on this book within moments of reading the introduction. Her commitment to parenting, and to discovering her own path toward spiritual connectedness and understanding, is both moving and inspiring. This book is not designed to tell you how to raise your child in a spiritual home, but the collected essays are meant to inspire thought on the nature of spirtuality and what beliefs each parent may wish to impart. The different section headings, from the spirituality of conception and parenthood to early infancy and on through late adolescence, make this book relevant to people of all ages. Even if you don't have children, it is a wonderful resource for building community and for learning to share our spiritual beliefs in a space of connectedness and understanding. I find myself recalling specific passages time and again, and am often deeply moved by the philosophies and thoughts presented by the many essayists. The religious and spiritual ideas presented are varied and rich in their diversity, and the ideas for creating personal celebrations and rituals are inspiring. I cannot recommend this book highly enough. It will change the way you view spirituality and parenting a new soul.

Rating:
Summary: It wasn't what I expected
Review: From the subtitle and cover blurb, I was expecting this collection of essays to reflect the diversity of spiritual paths. Instead, 90% of the essays are Pagan, with a couple of Buddhist ones and one Jewish essay. I don't have anything against Paganism, but it is not my path, it just doesn't move my spirit. There is some good stuff in here, but I found there was too much emphasis on externals, such as rituals for different occasions and Tarot cards, and not enough on the day-to-day inner work of parenting. Also, Carson's dig at stay-at-home mothers ("studies have shown that most housewives actually spend more time watching television than they spend with their children") was unexpected and uncalled for in a book on spiritual parenting. For many, staying at home with their children and accepting the sacrifices involved is an important part of their spiritual path. Finally, Carson has included an excellent section on the spirituality of biological motherhood, but has not given equal time to fathers and adoptive parents, who have different paths with equal beauty and significance.