What does spirituality mean when we are raising highly sensitive children? 

Spirituality is not the same as religion, but religion does (did) provide a structure for teaching children about spirituality, faith, and morals–all very important touchstones for growing up.

In today’s world, many families have lost touch with the religion of their ancestors. Even if a family still embraces religion, it is usually not the central guiding force of a child’s life as it may have been in generations past. 

That might be a good thing, too. Many highly sensitive people report that religion played a part in their childhood trauma. It doesn’t have to be that way, but often it was. Why? Highly sensitive brains process deeply and have strong emotional responses. They need spirituality (or religion) that can flex with their creativity of thought and experience

The bottom line:

Parents are responsible for helping sensitive youth develop a spiritual awareness. 

Raising a sensitive child with an active and positive relationship to spirituality and faith in a power greater than themselves (such as nature, spirit, the divine, a religious icon, or the universe) will make all the difference. 

Inner life is one of the key elements to a highly sensitive person’s ability to thrive. And the research on the importance of spirituality in the life of a child is undeniable. 

Spiritual children are:

• 40% less likely to use and abuse substances.
• 60% less likely to be depressed as teenagers.
• 80% less likely to have dangerous or unprotected sex.
• MORE likely to have positive markers for thriving.
• MORE likely to have high levels of academic success.

Lisa Miller, PhD, in The Spiritual Child

Spiritual practice can look many ways. It can look like breathwork, mindfulness, meditation, ritual, blessings, service, prayer, and honoring the earth or the ancestors.. 

There is no one technique for raising a spiritual child. It can include religion or not, but it must honor the child’s unique worldview as a sensitive.

In this Masterclass, we explored the research as well as techniques for bringing a greater spiritual awareness and connectivity into the family life for children from infant through young adults. A child’s spiritual life begins before birth and continues through the lifespan. 

HSPs who aren’t parenting might also enjoy this exploration of spirituality for sensitive youth. After all, we are always reframing and healing our childhood, right?