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We live in a world where peace is often a foreign concept; where our differences often drive deep wedges that lead to bigotry, discrimination, and hate crimes.

 

Many people react with hostility toward perceived threats to what is at their core. A perfect example of this is the people who are so radically pro-life that they commit what they consider “justifiable homicide.”

 

A few years ago my husband and I had the incredible opportunity to travel to Jerusalem. I didn’t really know what to expect because you hear so much in the news about clashes between people of different faiths, and we were heading straight into the heart of some of the most sacred places for Jews, Muslims, and Christians. And that region has a long history of controversy.

 

Thankfully everyone peacefully coexisted while we were there, and we were blessed with some amazing experiences as we immersed ourselves as much as we could. We even got to join a large circle of peacekeeping soldiers as they danced and celebrated at one of their holy places.

 

We were filled with love for the people we got to know from very different cultures. Some of the most life-changing moments were worshipping at the western wall with devout Jews, talking late into the night with a faithful Muslim who opened up to us about his family and why he believes the way he does, and being fed by humble nuns who live just a couple blocks away from what some believe was the tomb of Jesus Christ.

 

When I came home to the United States I was a changed person, still clinging to my beliefs, but determined to defend the liberties of all peace-promoting faiths and ideologies.

 

So, how do we raise our kids to hold to their beliefs, and be proud of their heritage, while being peacemakers?

 

Well, today I have the pleasure of introducing you to Kira Dorrian and Deana Thayer from the podcast, Raising Adults: Future Focused Parenting. Deana and Kira come from almost opposite paradigms, one is a Christian conservative, and one is a liberal agnostic Jew. What fascinated me when I first listened to them was that they could have let their differences interfere with their connection, but instead they love and support each other, and empower their listeners through their shared podcast.

 

So they are going to give us insight into teaching our kids to peacefully coexist and even go beyond that, to love people who are different. I can’t wait. So here we go…

 

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Conversation with Deana and Kira

 

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What did I tell you? Deana and Kira are successfully accomplishing what our world is so in need of right now. I love how they talked about important elements of good communication like eye contact, and tone of voice, and listening without preparing to interject. I love how they emphasized the value of curiosity, and assuming the best, and giving grace when others mess up. Teaching our kids all those things will be an incredible gift to them.

 

If you’d like to hear more from Deana and Kira, check out their podcast, Raising Adults: Future Focused Parenting. It’s on all major platforms. (I’m sure they’d appreciate a little warning to my listeners that if you see a little E on one of their episodes it’s because Kira felt compelled to drop an explicit word or two.) They are parent coaches who cover all topics....Deana specializes in sleep consulting and blended families. Kira specialize in prenatal coaching and planning for parenthood as well as coaching towards raising emotionally intelligent kids. They both have books available on amazon. Their website is Futurefocusedparenting.com and they are on instagram and Facebook @futurefocusedparenting and @raisingadultspodcast.

 

I hope you feel inspired to help your kids be true to their beliefs, while filling the world with love and connection. I know I do.

 

Thanks for listening, and have an awesome day!

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Brittany