The "Indigo Child" Woo Movement

LightinDarkness

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LightinDarkness
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Over the past few years I've noticed a resurgence in woo that seems to almost be entirely catered to make people feel special or that they have special powers. Of course, I guess anyone claiming paranormal abilities at some level is seeking to be special and feel special, but some of the woo seems to be entirely dedicated to the "look at me, I am so special!" category.

One thing I've run into personally is the "Indigo child" movement. The wiki on it is pretty accurate from the research I've done:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indigo_children#Skepticism


Basically, a new age book writer a few years ago determined that the next stage in human evolution was upon us and that children would be born with special abilities that mark them as "indigo children" (wooist claim the term because that is the color of their aura). Its an ingenious system really, because the "characteristics" of a indigo child will match the personality profile of almost any child:

~ Determined
~ Absolute confidence
~ They rarely need others to tell them who they are
~ Are easily frustrated with routine or ritual
~ They do not accept authority
~ Non conformist
~ They have no trouble telling you what they need
~ May seem anti social if they are not around children like them
~ Sensitive
~ Technologically orientated

Gee, seems like all are characteristics of kids from childhood to adolescence to me. Of course there are some woo ones in there too, like the claiming to have paranormal abilities.

I have a friend who is now absolutely convinced their 10 year old is a indigo, and the kid loves it - she can get away with whatever she wants by claiming she needs to do something to harness "vibrations" or some other woo based excuse. I have tried all the most obvious ways to point out to the parent and the kid that this is total woo and has no basis in reality (like trying to get her to test her so called powers - including weather changing), but conveniently my negativity and skepticism always prevents said powers from working. Any ideas on what to do?
 
I'm pretty sure I was in "indigo child", but then reality struck. This damned reality.
 
Rather than just proposing tests, try coming to them with a (seemingly, at least) real problem for the child to solve. Your grandmother's rhubarb is going to die without rain or something. The problem should easily be solved by the child's weather control or one her other powers. You should not be around when the attempt is made. Then when grandma's rhubarb does die, you need to be devastated so both mother and child can see the harm this is doing.

Also, at least when you are around, they should not be able to pull any of this business, since it's proven that her powers are useless around you, the skeptic. The more you are around, the less they can rely on her powers.

Ward
 
LightinDarkness said:
seeking to be special and feel special, but some of the woo seems to be entirely dedicated to the "look at me, I am so special!" category.
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It's not just run of the mill brats that get stamped with that label. Generally, it's children with AD(h)D, autism spectrum disorder / PDD-NOS or other that get slapped with the indigo / crystal child label. For some parents it's easier to believe your child is a special project from the universe than accept the gloomy reality that the child is mentally disabled / delayed.
 
I think that all kids display characteristics of indigo/crystal children at some point or another. Those with a mental disability/delay perhaps more so, but it's the parent who places the label. If the parent is prone to believe in such things, they will find it in their child if they want to. And what parent doesn't want to believe their child is special?

Ward
 
PbFoot said:
Three words:

Extreme cognitive dissonance.

-PbFoot
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I would say "self fulfilling prophecy". Not that the kids get special, but the expectations of bratty behavior for sure.

This is a lot like the stuff I have seen about children with psychic abilities- their parents basically encourage them to lie and pretend and so they do it. It seems emotionally unhealthy to make children lie or be defiant in order to please their parents, but that is what this boils down to imo.
 
I love the "crystal" ones... just the thing for people who know too many indigo child parents, and need something even better to pronounce their child superior.

Proposing a test of any kind is almost useless except on general principle or to serve as an example to others. The parent wants to believe their child is special, and the child wants to think they're special or at least enjoy the advantages of manipulating the parent. In order to preserve this they will dismiss all evidence.
 
LightinDarkness said:
I have a friend who is now absolutely convinced their 10 year old is a indigo, and the kid loves it - she can get away with whatever she wants by claiming she needs to do something to harness "vibrations" or some other woo based excuse. I have tried all the most obvious ways to point out to the parent and the kid that this is total woo and has no basis in reality (like trying to get her to test her so called powers - including weather changing), but conveniently my negativity and skepticism always prevents said powers from working. Any ideas on what to do?
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Tough situation. Anytime you feel something is negatively impacting a friend's child or their relationship with their child, it's hard not to point it out and equally difficult to mention it in a way that isn't going to end badly for your relationship with them.

I think I would encourage rigorous testing as much as possible. If she can't work with your 'negative vibes' around, help them understand how rigorous testing works and suggest they test her privately, documenting every test and result as it happens.

Good luck!
 
wardenclyffe said:
Rather than just proposing tests, try coming to them with a (seemingly, at least) real problem for the child to solve. Your grandmother's rhubarb is going to die without rain or something. The problem should easily be solved by the child's weather control or one her other powers. You should not be around when the attempt is made. Then when grandma's rhubarb does die, you need to be devastated so both mother and child can see the harm this is doing.
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The problem with this is that pulling such a deception is likely to be damaging to LiD's relationship with his friends.
Also, at least when you are around, they should not be able to pull any of this business, since it's proven that her powers are useless around you, the skeptic. The more you are around, the less they can rely on her powers.
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Quite True!
 
Thanks for all the suggestions - its so true that this is a walking on egg shells type of problem. I have to balance the need to maintain a positive relationship with the friend in question while trying to project that the Indigo child thing is made of woo and not based in reality.

I am still not sure how in the world the parent fell down the rabbit hole on this. I have never known her to have any woo tendencies, believe in conspiracy theory, or anything else. It sort of all seems out of the blue. Anyways, I'll update if any progress is made.
 
Niobe said:
It's not just run of the mill brats that get stamped with that label. Generally, it's children with AD(h)D, autism spectrum disorder / PDD-NOS or other that get slapped with the indigo / crystal child label. For some parents it's easier to believe your child is a special project from the universe than accept the gloomy reality that the child is mentally disabled / delayed.
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Jenny McCarthy was originally claiming her son was an Indigo child before he was diagnosed with autism. She even ran a website called IndigoMoms.com (now defunct.) She dropped the Indigo nonsense in favor of the anti-vax nonsense.

Steve S.
 
Looks like you have done as much as you can. You have let them know of your opinion. The rest is up to them. Trying to change a person is putting the relationship on the line.
 
Originally Posted by wardenclyffe
"Rather than just proposing tests, try coming to them with a (seemingly, at least) real problem for the child to solve. Your grandmother's rhubarb is going to die without rain or something. The problem should easily be solved by the child's weather control or one her other powers. You should not be around when the attempt is made. Then when grandma's rhubarb does die, you need to be devastated so both mother and child can see the harm this is doing."

Reply from Beth:
"The problem with this is that pulling such a deception is likely to be damaging to LiD's relationship with his friends."

It could be a real problem that an actual indigo child should be able to help with. It need not harm the relationship (even if it's a fake problem). LiD is not really expecting any help, so there will be no disappointment there. The parent and child cannot hold it against LiD that the child failed to have special powers. I just think it's easier and nicer to ask for help rather than put someone to a test.

Ward
 
I am coming across indigo and crystal mothers in my job as an educational psychologist. It's tragic for the children, mostly disabled with autism or other difficuties. Some do not speak and their parents believe it is because they are communicating telepathically and will not allow access to speech therapists. They are telling teachers not to discipline their children in schools as their children are not defiant/naughty, just being Indigo and fulfilling their destiny and their worst offences must be nurtured as evidence of their superiority.
It is particularly damaging for the children and their future self esteem. Especially as when they do grow up they are not likely to fine real life quite as accommodating.
 
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How much do you value the relationship... as opposed to, say, sanity?

I was not aware upon initial reading that you were saying that they actually believe their little precious has weather-changing abilities. Is this correct?

If true, then this is beyond confirmation bias, which is the usual problem with Indigo parents (no kid I know of ever came up with this on their own - it's mommy and daddy looking for reasons other than their own shortcomings or previously discussed medical/psychological conditions who grasp onto this batch of straws).

Thinking your kid can change the weather is just plain delusional. I've often said that I have no difficulty in letting bygones be bygones for people with harmless woo beliefs (harmless in my interpretation, of course), like cryptozoology, ufology, numerology.... But there's a line that you cross and I think weather manipulation is just to the other side of that line.
 
Foolmewunz said:
How much do you value the relationship... as opposed to, say, sanity?

If true, then this is beyond confirmation bias, which is the usual problem with Indigo parents (no kid I know of ever came up with this on their own - it's mommy and daddy looking for reasons other than their own shortcomings or previously discussed medical/psychological conditions who grasp onto this batch of straws).
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...but boy do the kids run with it! I work with East Asian children and while I have yet to encounter Indigo children I have come across my fair share of littlest emperors. By virtue of being one of some 2 billion+ miracles born with a penis a child is gifted with a higher than average IQ, brain mass, dexterity, atheltic prowess, and musical/artistic ability. So it's perfectally acceptable to bloody the lip of the smaller boys/girls in class.

Wanting special treatment for your kid because you're a bad parent? Not happenin.
 
SatanicSheep said:
...but boy do the kids run with it! I work with East Asian children and while I have yet to encounter Indigo children I have come across my fair share of littlest emperors. By virtue of being one of some 2 billion+ miracles born with a penis a child is gifted with a higher than average IQ, brain mass, dexterity, atheltic prowess, and musical/artistic ability. So it's perfectally acceptable to bloody the lip of the smaller boys/girls in class.

Wanting special treatment for your kid because you're a bad parent? Not happenin.
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I think most over here admit, though, that they're little Princes (and a number of little Princesses), and are ultimately just spoiled brats rather than touched by the hand of the woo gods.
 
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