Writer Plans Workshop On Spiritual Parenting

Sat., Jan. 15, 2000

By Nina Culver nculver47@gmail.com

Most parents try their best to raise their children to become responsible, loving and compassionate adults.

Many have also muttered to themselves that children ought to come with an instruction manual.

Author Mimi Doe has an alternative: her book “Ten Principles for Spiritual Parenting.”

Doe will be in Spokane on Jan. 23 to lead a workshop on the 10 principles at Unity Church of Truth, 2900 S. Bernard. The book is not just esoteric ideas, Doe said in a telephone interview, but offers practical ideas on how to implement the various principles designed to nurture a child’s soul.

Some principles include knowing that God cares for you, listening to your child, allowing and encouraging dreams, adding magic to the ordinary, creating a flexible structure and being a positive mirror for your child.

Although the book is about spirituality, it does not push a specific religion.

“It’s not about religion,” Doe said. “It’s about everyday ways to connect with your child. Kids long for connection.”

Doe wrote the book with her mother, Marsha Walch, who is a therapist.

“I wanted her to make sure all my ideas were therapeutically sound,” said Doe, who holds a master’s degree in education from Harvard. Doe, who is writing another two books on spiritual parenting, also works with parents one-on-one to help them with spiritual parenting. She limits her workshops to two a month to minimize the time she’s away from her husband and two daughters.

“It’s gotten to be a full-time job,” she said.

Doe and her book have been featured on “Oprah” and in the Ladies’ Home Journal and USA Today.

Parents are often consumed with caring for their children’s physical well-being, she said. Her workshop encourages them to also focus on spiritual well-being. As one principle says, it’s time to “make each day a new beginning.”

“No matter how old our kids are,” she said, “no matter how sophisticated we think they are, they’re still open to the principles.”

The Jan. 23 workshop, 1:30 to 5:30 p.m., is by donation; a soup lunch will be served. Doe will also sign books at 5 p.m. next Saturday at Auntie’s Bookstore.

“Ten Principles for Spiritual Parenting,” $13, is available at Auntie’s Bookstore, 402 W. Main. Mimi Doe’s Web site is www.spiritualparenting.com.

Local journalism is essential.

Give directly to The Spokesman-Review's Northwest Passages community forums series -- which helps to offset the costs of several reporter and editor positions at the newspaper -- by using the easy options below. Gifts processed in this system are tax deductible.

Meet Our Journalists

Jesse Tinsley

Meet Jesse Tinsley. As a certified drone pilot, this veteran Spokesman-Review photographer often can be seen capturing beautiful aerial photographs of our region. Sometimes though, the job requires getting down with the dogs.
Jim Meehan

Jim Meehan is no stranger to Zag Nation. As the lead writer covering the Gonzaga men’s basketball team, he tells the stories behind the game and gets fans a bit closer to their favorite players.
Molly Quinn

There is no artist in Spokane like Molly Quinn. Her whimsical style is instantly recognizable to readers of The Spokesman-Review. She has painted gorgeous illustrations that instantly elevate the journalism accompanying it. She brings to life the stories that defy photography. She makes our pages better.
Rob Curley

Spokesman-Review editor Rob Curley loves to talk with people and learn about their lives, whether it's a best-selling author or a stranger he meets downtown on his walk to lunch. It's that inquisitive nature combined with a playful sense of storytelling that helps make our newspaper different than most.