Orthodox Christian Perspectives on Parenting and Child Development Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards based on lecture notes about Orthodox Christian perspectives on parenting and child development.

Conception

From an Orthodox Christian perspective, the beginning of life deserving of parental love, emotional nurturing, and spiritual preparation.

Embryo's Experience (in the womb)

Hears and feels within the mother's womb and directly experiences the mother's emotions, and can be traumatized by a lack of love.

Parental Spiritual Influence During Pregnancy

Praying together, leading a consistent spiritual life, reading psalms, singing hymns, and maintaining inner peace and joy.

Spiritual Preparation During Pregnancy

Praying regularly, reading the Gospel, chanting hymns, saying the Jesus Prayer, confessing often, receiving Holy Communion, drinking holy water, and anointing with unction oil.

Miscarriage (Orthodox Perspective)

Seen as an involuntary 'murder,' requiring prayers for healing and forgiveness, as well as spiritual and emotional support.

Patron Saints for Fertility and Childbirth

Saint Anna, Saint Elizabeth, Saint Sava, Saint Irini, and Saint Simeon.

Breastfeeding

Provides essential love, tenderness, and security for the infant, going beyond physical nourishment; offers numerous health benefits for both baby and mother.

Baptism

Considered crucial for spiritual protection and should ideally occur as soon as possible, preferably within 40 days of birth.

Children's Sensitivity

Children are highly attuned to parental interactions, the emotional atmosphere within the home, and methods of discipline and communication.

Childhood Trauma (Long-Term Effects)

Can lead to anxiety, depression, sleep disorders, eating disorders, relationship difficulties, and substance abuse; early emotional patterns significantly impact the ability to form healthy adult relationships.

Parental Responsibilities (Spiritual Development)

Parents bear the responsibility for their child's spiritual rebirth and upbringing; maintaining a strong spiritual life during pregnancy and after birth is crucial.

Parental Responsibilities (Emotional Approach)

Raising children with consistent affection and love is paramount; harsh discipline should be avoided in favor of nurturing guidance.

Modern Parenting Challenges

Includes the critique of prioritizing careers over motherhood, overreliance on daycare, television, electronic devices, and feminist ideology discouraging breastfeeding and potential negative consequences for children.

Spiritual Perspective: Imperfect Parenting

Even if parents make mistakes, God shows special love for children who have been wronged; true repentance can help, and God provides opportunities for spiritual recovery.

Mental Challenges (Orthodox Approach)

Acknowledging mental 'disabilities' with compassion, offering these challenges to God through prayer and faith, cultivating humility, and utilizing support from the church community.

Maternal Love (Significance)

Profound impact of maternal love from conception: 'If the mother doesn't love the child, the embryo, the child inside the womb, is traumatised. And that trauma stays with that child the rest of its life.'

Emotional Nurturing (Intergenerational Impact)

'If children don't receive tenderness. They won't have any to pass on to their children. It becomes a vicious cycle.'

Religious Upbringing (Limitations)

A religious upbringing alone does not guarantee emotional health; genuine love and nurturing are also essential.