The New Children

- by Andria R. Wagner © 2006

Today’s children are more sensitive than ever.  If we examine causes of their increasing allergic reactions, increased diagnoses of ADD/ADHD, Autism spectrum disorders, depression, obesity, violence, lack of respect for authority and the list goes on, it is difficult to determine why the situation seems to be worsening rapidly.  Since the causes range from environmental to dietary, to the breakdown of the family unit, debates continue as to why this is happening.  By understanding the concept of the New Children, otherwise known as Indigo and Crystal children, we can begin to see how we can help today’s youth rather than focusing on the problem.

The terms Indigo and Crystal according to many authors including Lee Carroll, Jan Tober, The Indigo Children and Doreen Virtue, PhD, The Crystal Children and The Care and Feeding of Indigos refer to the colors of the child’s aura.  A newer take on these terms however is described in Beyond the Indigo Children, The New Children and the Coming of the Fifth World by P.M.H. Atwater, L.H.D.  Atwater maintains that most children born today seem to have violet auras meaning their spiritual and psychic gifts are more prevalent than in previous generations, therefore she makes no distinction between Indigos and Crystals as they seem to possess similar traits.  For the purpose of this article however, a distinction will be made between the two based on personal experience as a public school teacher and parent. 

Indigos today are likely to be in their twenties or teenage years, although there are older and younger Indigos.  Crystal Children tend to be under age ten; most began arriving after the year 2000.  However, there are some children who seem to carry traits of both groups, which verify what Atwater writes about.  It is important to note here that neither group enjoys being labeled in any manner.  Indigos tend to be angry, frustrate easily, have difficulty coping with change, and can often be misdiagnosed with ADD/ADHD.  Crystals tend to be peaceful, healing others, very connected to people and animals, are said to have something special in their eyes, and can be misdiagnosed as having autistic spectrum disorders such as Asperger’s syndrome because they tend to talk late, sometimes as late as age four.  They talk late because they communicate telepathically and they expect you too as well. 

Both groups are highly sensitive to noise, violence, negative energy, and chemicals in food and in the environment.  They are here to change all of that.  Indigos are natural-born activists, putting their rage into undoing political corruption and inequalities in society, which is why they resent those who are unfair or lie to them. Crystals are here to heal the world their spiritual gifts and peaceful mannerisms.  Both groups have strong psychic capabilities; they cannot be manipulated and can discern lies from truth immediately. 

Indigos have an intense look about them, whereas Crystals have love in their eyes that seems to pierce right through to your soul.  It is important to know that both groups are loving, caring, and empathic humans.  They desperately need our protection from the harsh world, understanding about their special qualities, and guidance for coping in their environment to help them retain their gifts throughout childhood.

So what do you do if you think your child is one of these New Children?  Start by reading up on the topic in one of the aforementioned books.  Learning how to help sensitive children such as these requires dedication, consistency and an open mind to appreciate their particularities.  When your five-year old is talking to an imaginary friend named Judy and your dead mother’s name is Judy, assume your child is really talking to Judy’s spirit.  If your sixteen-year old hates you and the world, find out what’s bothering them and help them channel their anger into a cause larger than themselves.  Bring them somewhere to volunteer or help them become an activist. 

If you are becoming a parent, consider a peaceful, drug-free birth.  Breastfeeding is preferred as these children are commonly allergic to dairy and soy products.  They seem to have sensitive digestive tracts and the closeness to the mother helps shield them from the world while they’re young.  Learn about alternative forms of medicine, such as Homeopathy, Ayurveda, Chinese Medicine, examine selective vaccination, and try to feed them as much organic, whole foods as possible.  You may have read current articles in Mothering Magazine showing cases where Autism and ADD have been cured with a change in diet and through the use of alternative healing modalities. 

All children need to be outdoors playing much more than they do at present.  Not only will this solve the obesity epidemic, but it will make them peaceful and happy if they’re allowed to explore outdoors for at least an hour a day.  It helps them ground their energy so they feel more centered and are able to focus on tasks indoors. 

You may want to consider alternative schools such as Montessori or Waldorf, as well as home schooling, as they better accommodate the needs of sensitive children.  As a public school teacher myself, it is hard to deny that kids spend way too much time immobile at a desk, taking tests and would benefit greatly from increased freedom of movement and creativity. 

Alternative schooling is an excellent solution, however changing the current public school system to better meet students’ needs for greater physical activity and free expression is necessary.  Public schools can help by beginning to increase awareness and create programs to educate teachers how to help these children and by teaching students how to cope with stress.  More needs to be done to stop bullying, which is a top-down issue that needs to start with sincere and effective administrative policy change.  Federal and Sate governments need to shift the focus from excessive standardized testing to supporting a child’s need to learn through exploration and discovery.  This will greatly reduce teacher attrition and inspire college students to become teachers.  The current system is making it very hard for teachers to allow their students time to be creative.  If you are a parent, you know this to be true as you watch your frustrated fifth grader spend two or more hours a night on homework. 

Happy children need exposure to the elements.  They need to play in the dirt, with rocks or crystals, dance, sing, play, and learn that life is not about “to do” lists.  They need consistent, loving discipline, honesty and integrity from adults, time for quiet reflection, and exposure to the arts and alternative healing modalities such as Reiki and yoga.  Crystals and Indigos understand they are different, that there are fairies, angels, goddesses and they relate to life in terms of energy.  They feel and see things that their parents may not be able to.  They come into the world with spiritual gifts you’d find in Maya Angelou, Martin Luther King, Jr. and Mother Teresa.  They truly are saints and angels walking the Earth and deserve the respect of adults.

We have a lot to learn from our children and can do so by maintaining an open mind and heart.  Your children want you to learn how to properly support them so they can fulfill their life purpose to create a happy, healthy, and peaceful world ensuring the evolution of the human race.  They are here to raise our collective consciousness, it is their job and we must help them.