Rites of Passage

When we lived in East Africa, they had a rite of passage when the kids were entering puberty that was very involved and even more controversial, both from the Western and newer African perspective, because it involves the circumcision of girls and often excludes girls from an education.  This rite is so important for the youth though, that even if their families tell them not to do it, they often sneak off to do it, to have a name.  I want to share our rites of passage in our home, how we tell our kids who they are.  We have three different rites of passage, at 8, 12, and 16 years old.  Each rite of passage has a different focus.  The 8 year rite of passage focuses on their relationship with God.  The 12 year rite of passage focuses on their relationship with people.  The 16 year rite of passage focuses on their relationship with themselves.  More on these rites of passage in coming posts.