ouija boards...

[raysnkaysmom]

I've never used one, and I know alot of people don't believe in them to the aspect of which they were intended...but I'm upset with my kids

Due to stories I've heard, and just my personal beliefs on them, I've forbid them to the girls. I know I can't control them at a slumber party or something, but they know I disapprove, and will never have one in my home. My youngest told me she played one 'online' at her dads house... This makes me upset and angry, although more upset.....

Your opinions on how to get my point across to my kids?

 

[diznygirl]

Watch "The Exorcist" with them.

 

[minkydog]

Well, I can understand why you don't approve of the ouija boards--are those things *still* popular? I have to give my parents credit for not over-reacting though. We borrowed one for a party once and scared the bejesus out of ourselves. My mother was very calm about it, stated "these are our beliefs", and left it at that. We never fooled with it again.

You have the right to refuse the ouija board in your house, and I certainly would do that. You can share with the kids, objectively, about how you believe and why you don't like the ouija board. Your kids will decide what they believe.

You can't control what your kids do at their dad's house or at friend's house.
If you make this a big issue the kids will simply take it underground--ie, they just won't tell you. And there will be this big ole secret in your family.

 

[akhenaten]

Well, I can understand why you don't approve of the ouija boards--are those things *still* popular? I have to give my parents credit for not over-reacting though. We borrowed one for a party once and scared the bejesus out of ourselves. My mother was very calm about it, stated "these are our beliefs", and left it at that. We never fooled with it again.

You have the right to refuse the ouija board in your house, and I certainly would do that. You can share with the kids, objectively, about how you believe and why you don't like the ouija board. Your kids will decide what they believe.

You can't control what your kids do at their dad's house or at friend's house.
If you make this a big issue the kids will simply take it underground--ie, they just won't tell you. And there will be this big ole secret in your family.

Very good advice...
I know I came across this similar situation with violent video games...
we do not own any... but sadly my son (now 15) has played them at friends homes...

 

[LuvOrlando]

I don't know whether it was the power of suggestion of something more sinister but using one of those things gave me the fright of my life when I was in college. Back then, after NEVER even hearing about these things I went to talk to my pastor about the upset its use was causing me and he FLIPPED HIS LID. He was so angry about the breaking on a commandment and I said, I was playing a game from a Toy store, what are you talking about I remember sitting there thinking, how can I get in so much trouble when no-one even warned me about the darn things. I think I even asked why, in all my years of private school, did NO-ONE bother to mention this to me. He said it was because they didn't want to make me/us kids curious. I said I would have preferred the warning.

So for my kids, its a no. I made sure to point them out in the store with a stern warning that they are against our 'beliefs'. I've never done that with another thing ever so I think/hope the kid's got my point.

 

[raysnkaysmom]

Well, I can understand why you don't approve of the ouija boards--are those things *still* popular? I have to give my parents credit for not over-reacting though. We borrowed one for a party once and scared the bejesus out of ourselves. My mother was very calm about it, stated "these are our beliefs", and left it at that. We never fooled with it again.

You have the right to refuse the ouija board in your house, and I certainly would do that. You can share with the kids, objectively, about how you believe and why you don't like the ouija board. Your kids will decide what they believe.

You can't control what your kids do at their dad's house or at friend's house.
If you make this a big issue the kids will simply take it underground--ie, they just won't tell you. And there will be this big ole secret in your family.

Thats my fear...that's why I'm trying to not make it 'the forbidden fruit'..

 

[pyrxtc]

You can't really "make" them follow your beliefs. They will do what they can while they are not at home and the bigger deal you make out of it the more they will want to try it. you can explain to them why you dislike it but it may not change how they feel they see it as a game.

My dad forbade them in our house, but we did levatation and automatic writing instead when I had friends over. I now own my grandmother's (yes grandmother's) Ouija Board from the early 1900's. My kids don't use it because of the age and it only has the power you give it. They are more than welcome to buya game version themselves or play at a friends house.

 

[MonkeyDishwasher]

I know you probably won't like my reply, but I'm throwing it out there anyways.

When I was younger, I went to private school. In the 7th grade year (the late 90's for me), Ouija boards hit their popularity prime for our class. We would play with them at sleepovers, we would draw up our own on scraps of notebook paper and use rings as the pointer, all in the knowledge that there was nothing actually spirit-induced about them. They were simply the mentally suggested answers that someone playing would think of and be unwittingly giving as the "Spirit's Answers." But there was also that feeling of adventure as we knew if the school found out abotu the way we were palying, we would get in major trouble (oh, private school...).

In any case, we played them as a silly game, and then we moved on at the end of the year. I haven't died (as the Board once claimed I would at the age of 18), nor have any of the other early marraiges or deaths. The game eventually stopped when we all found something new to do, and the novelty (and forbidden factor) wore itself off.

I vote if they want to play it, outside of the home, they may, as long as you fully explain to the girls why you personally don't like them, and how the boards actually work. This way they get the feeling that you trust them, and they understand your reasons (even if they do find them to be silly).

The novelty will wear off, and I'm sure they won't evoke Satan himself nor any other poltergeists or harmful spiritual activity.

 

[Cantw8]

Honestly, I think there are way bigger issues to worry about when it comes to raising kids besides ouija boards

 

[raysnkaysmom]

I know you probably won't like my reply, but I'm throwing it out there anyways.

When I was younger, I went to private school. In the 7th grade year (the late 90's for me), Ouija boards hit their popularity prime for our class. We would play with them at sleepovers, we would draw up our own on scraps of notebook paper and use rings as the pointer, all in the knowledge that there was nothing actually spirit-induced about them. They were simply the mentally suggested answers that someone playing would think of and be unwittingly giving as the "Spirit's Answers."

In any case, we played them as a silly game, and then we moved on. I haven't died (as the Board once claimed I would at the age of 18), nor have any of the other early marraiges or deaths. The game eventually stopped when we all found something new to do, and the novelty (and forbidden factor) wore itself off.

I vote if they want to play it, outside of the home, they may, as long as you fully explain to the girls why you personally don't like them, and how the boards actually work. This way they get the feeling that you trust them, and they understand your reasons (even if they do find them to be silly).

The novelty will wear off, and I'm sure they won't evoke Satan himself nor any other poltergeists or harmful spiritual activity.

oh..I like your reply fine...it all makes sense...
Except for the part where you said you're 'SURE" there wont be harmful spiritual activity...

 

[raysnkaysmom]

Honestly, I think there are way bigger issues to worry about when it comes to raising kids besides ouija boards

I can only pick one thing, or 'bigger' things to worry about?? lol

I agree, but for now, it's this...

 

[wdwfan16]

I've never used one, and I know alot of people don't believe in them to the aspect of which they were intended...but I'm upset with my kids

Due to stories I've heard, and just my personal beliefs on them, I've forbid them to the girls. I know I can't control them at a slumber party or something, but they know I disapprove, and will never have one in my home. My youngest told me she played one 'online' at her dads house... This makes me upset and angry, although more upset.....

Your opinions on how to get my point across to my kids?

You cannot control what they do at their dad's house.

Honestly I would not buy one but I played with them as a kid and knew they were fake and my interest in it ended very quickly. BTW my parents bought the one I played with.

 

[Rebelmom67]

Honestly, I think there are way bigger issues to worry about when it comes to raising kids besides ouija boards

Agreed. For cripes sakes, it is a BOARD game, no different than Monopoly..

ETA: When there are threads like this out there: http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2252558

this thread is almost obscene. JMO and I'm leaving this one at that.

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

Many churches do teach that when you dabble in this sort of thing you are opening yourself up for demonic influence. It is also forbidden to dabble in mysticism and is taken very seriously. Just because you don't believe that does not mean that you have to put others down for their beliefs.

Something I do when I teach or when I am at the rollercoaster is when I tell the kids to not do something I explain exactly why. I find if I tell them they can't pull on the gates because if the gates jam it will cause the coaster to stop and we cannot run it I get a better response than if I just tell them not to do that. I found the same to be true in my classroom. I know it's not the same as raising a kid, but maybe explaining exactly what the danger is they will be more likely to listen to you.

ETA: I really hate the logic that just because there is something bad or worse out there you should not be concerned about what your kids are doing. Yes, what happened to that other family is extremely tragic, but that does not mean that another parent cannot look for advice on an issue that is obviously very important to them. It does not make this thread "obscene" and frankly, bringing that other thread into it is very poor taste.

 

[DebbieB]

I remember when I was 12 or 13 I was at a slumber party and they asked the board the initials of a guy that liked me. I had a crush on a football player with the initials TJ and I didn't think anyone knew. Of course, the board spelled out TJ. At first I was shocked but when I saw him with a cute cheerleader I knew my friends pushed it!

 

[raysnkaysmom]

Agreed. For cripes sakes, it is a BOARD game, no different than Monopoly..

ETA: When there are threads like this out there: http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2252558

this thread is almost obscene. JMO and I'm leaving this one at that.

First off, your response is completely ridiculous. I found that thread after posting this one, have posted on that thread, and am heartbroken by that thread. To say me posting this thread is 'obscene' because at least I am not dealing with what she is, is well, unmatchable. (I can't find a word for it, and for Gods Sake how can you even compare them)..
To ME, its different than monopoly, and I asked for opinions on how to get my point across to my kids, not if you agreed with my point. And, if you don't use logic to say why, don't use other peoples grief.

Many churches do teach that when you dabble in this sort of thing you are opening yourself up for demonic influence. It is also forbidden to dabble in mysticism and is taken very seriously. Just because you don't believe that does not mean that you have to put others down for their beliefs.

Something I do when I teach or when I am at the rollercoaster is when I tell the kids to not do something I explain exactly why. I find if I tell them they can't pull on the gates because if the gates jam it will cause the coaster to stop and we cannot run it I get a better response than if I just tell them not to do that. I found the same to be true in my classroom. I know it's not the same as raising a kid, but maybe explaining exactly what the danger is they will be more likely to listen to you.

ETA: I really hate the logic that just because there is something bad or worse out there you should not be concerned about what your kids are doing. Yes, what happened to that other family is extremely tragic, but that does not mean that another parent cannot look for advice on an issue that is obviously very important to them. It does not make this thread "obscene" and frankly, bringing that other thread into it is very poor taste.

and... I am careful, now that she's told me she's played it, to not be 'mad' or 'forbid' her too... I have told her how I'd "really like for her not to". She knows my feelings on it, I can only hope my desire is enough to curb her until she moves out

 

[HunnyPots]

I had one, I played with it and so did all my friends. None of us were ever taken over by evil spirits and nothing ever happened that someone playing the game didn't make happen. Honestly, the thing is no more powerful than Magic 8 Ball.
This is not a battle I would pick...

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

Sleepovers are at our house. Problem solved...

 

[Scurvy]

Many churches do teach that when you dabble in this sort of thing you are opening yourself up for demonic influence. It is also forbidden to dabble in mysticism and is taken very seriously. Just because you don't believe that does not mean that you have to put others down for their beliefs.

Something I do when I teach or when I am at the rollercoaster is when I tell the kids to not do something I explain exactly why. I find if I tell them they can't pull on the gates because if the gates jam it will cause the coaster to stop and we cannot run it I get a better response than if I just tell them not to do that. I found the same to be true in my classroom. I know it's not the same as raising a kid, but maybe explaining exactly what the danger is they will be more likely to listen to you.

ETA: I really hate the logic that just because there is something bad or worse out there you should not be concerned about what your kids are doing. Yes, what happened to that other family is extremely tragic, but that does not mean that another parent cannot look for advice on an issue that is obviously very important to them. It does not make this thread "obscene" and frankly, bringing that other thread into it is very poor taste.

I agree with all of this.

First off, your response is completely ridiculous. I found that thread after posting this one, have posted on that thread, and am heartbroken by that thread. To say me posting this thread is 'obscene' because at least I am not dealing with what she is, is well, unmatchable. (I can't find a word for it, and for Gods Sake how can you even compare them)..
To ME, its different than monopoly, and I asked for opinions on how to get my point across to my kids, not if you agreed with my point. And, if you don't use logic to say why, don't use other peoples grief.






and... I am careful, now that she's told me she's played it, to not be 'mad' or 'forbid' her too... I have told her how I'd "really like for her not to". She knows my feelings on it, I can only hope my desire is enough to curb her until she moves out

I think that's the best thing that you can do. You certainly don't want to make this seem like a "forbidden fruit", so you just need to let them know how you feel and trust that they will listen.

As for whether they are just board games or are truly evil, it doesn't matter. If it's important to you that your kids not use one, then that's all that matters.

I'm surprised so many people are questioning the OP's religious beliefs. It doesn't matter whether she's right or wrong about the possible problems that could come from using a ouija board - it only matters that the OP feels they aren't appropriate for her kids.

 

[AshleyW]

I had one, I played with it and so did all my friends. None of us were ever taken over by evil spirits and nothing ever happened that someone playing the game didn't make happen. Honestly, the thing is no more powerful than Magic 8 Ball.
This is not a battle I would pick...

Agreed. It's just a silly game. I played with one when I was younger, and we did the whole "light as a feather, stiff as a board" thing and various other similar things, and I think I turned out okay. No evil spirits here.