What Is Spiritual Direction for Parenting with Art™?
Parenting Can Be Hard
Sometimes it’s difficult to navigate the good, bad, ugly, and glorious of the parenting journey. We can have so many complex thoughts and emotions as we do our best to raise our kids and figure out what it means to be a good mom, dad, grandparent, or guardian.
And right when we think we have a grasp on parenting, everything changes. (Again!)
Regardless of your ability to fully understand what parenting requires, it’s important to know how to use tools that will help you with the real life logistical and relational aspects of seeing, knowing, and raising your kids.
Parenting with Art™ is one tool that can help you and your kids flourish and thrive.
Art Can Help You Parent Your Children
For the past 21 years, art has helped me parent my children. I gave my kids art because that’s what I’ve always given myself. Art has helped me survive and thrive, so I figured art would help my kids survive and thrive. Over the years, I have seen how engaging with art helps my kids:
understand how they belong to themselves, others, the divine and the world
navigate difficulty
celebrate joy
become more of who they were made to be
and so much more!
Spiritual Direction for Parenting with Art™
Spiritual direction is a transformative process that can play a vital role in cultivating senses of belonging and restfulness in one's spiritual journey. It is a contemplative practice wherein a trained spiritual director companions an individual as she reflects on matters of the soul and how her daily lived experiences intersect with the spiritual.
During One-on-One Spiritual Direction for Parenting with Art™ sessions, Charlotte provides a sacred space for you to explore your parenting stories, regrets, and desires. Spiritual Direction for Parenting with Art is an opportunity to navigate belief, doubt, and mystery. And it’s a chance to notice how various forms and genres of art intersect with your sense of self as an individual and your sense of self a parent.
Through the practice of spiritual direction, you will move toward self-discovery, self-reflection, and self-acceptance. You will move toward greater integration and away from disintegration. You will move closer to freedom and further away from oppression. You will have a safe space to explore the questions, uncertainties, sureties, and joys that arise on your parenting journey and find solace in the presence of a compassionate and nonjudgmental companion. During Spiritual Direction for Parenting with Art sessions, Charlotte will encourage you to give attention to God’s presence in your life, honor your intuition and thoughts, and listen to your body, your longings, and your discomforts.
The Spiritual Direction for Parenting with Art Method
One-on-One Spiritual Direction for Parenting With Art™ with Charlotte Donlon Packages:
Spiritual Direction for Parenting with Art Method (THREE Sessions)
$350 | Each session is 50 minutes | All three sessions must occur within two months of purchase
During the three Spiritual Direction for Parenting with Art™ Sessions, you will explore the following:
Session One Primary Focus: Belonging through Art
Session Two Primary Focus: Know Your Kids Better through Parenting with Art™
Session Three Primary Focus: Age-Specific Parenting with Art™
Spiritual Direction for Parenting with Art Method (FIVE Sessions)
$499 | Each session is 50 minutes | All five sessions must occur within three months of purchase
During the five Spiritual Direction for Parenting with Art™ Sessions, you will explore the following:
Session One Primary Focus: Belonging through Art
Session Two Primary Focus: Know Your Kids Better through Parenting with Art™
Session Three Primary Focus: Age-Specific Parenting with Art™
Session Four Primary Focus: Rebellion and Parenting with Art™
Session Five Primary Focus: Celebration, Rituals, and Parenting with Art™
Please Note: If you purchase a Spiritual Direction for Parenting with Art™ package and decide you don’t want to complete all of your sessions, you will receive a prorated refund.
Schedule a Free Spiritual Direction for Parenting with Art™ Introductory Call
All are welcome to set up a free 15-minute introductory phone call to see if it’s a good fit. People from all faith traditions along the belief/unbelief spectrum can do Spiritual Direction for Parenting with Art™. Charlotte is a Christian, but she has several clients who don’t hold her same beliefs. And she has several clients who don’t even know what they believe or don’t believe.
Please email Charlotte at charlotte@charlottedonlon.com to set up an introductory call to discuss the Spiritual Direction for Parenting with Art™ method and see if it’s a good fit.
What Happens During One-on-One Spiritual Direction for Parenting with Art™ Sessions?
Every spiritual director has their own preferences for how to conduct their spiritual direction sessions. Charlotte tries to use the same format for each meeting with her Spiritual Direction for Parenting with Art™ clients. Sessions take place online via Zoom or in person.
Before every spiritual direction session, Charlotte creates an atmosphere that helps you know you are setting apart time and making space to notice and give your attention to how God is at work in your life, your loneliness, and your belonging.
Next, Charlotte will pray or read a poem then ask you to take as much silence as you like to prepare for your conversation.
During your spiritual direction conversation, Charlotte will inhabit a posture of prayer, listen a whole lot, and ask a few questions. She may pause for a minute or two of silence. She may invite you to do a guided contemplative practice or journaling exercise.
In addition to the spiritual direction conversation, Charlotte may offer suggestions for contemplative practices, nourishing rhythms, books to read, or journaling prompts to do between your scheduled Spiritual Direction for Parenting with Art sessions.
At the end of each session, Charlotte will close with a prayer or a poem.
For New Spiritual Direction for Parenting with Art Clients
Please email Charlotte at charlotte@charlottedonlon.com to set up an introductory call to discuss the Spiritual Direction for Parenting with Art™ method and see if it’s a good fit.
For Existing Spiritual Direction for Parenting with Art™ Clients
If you’re an existing client and would like to schedule your next spiritual direction session, please email Charlotte at charlotte@charlottedonlon.com to set up your next session.