The Amish and Rumschpringe
I wrote about the Old Order Amish tradition of rumschpringe in my latest newsletter. I mail out a hard copy version of my e-newsletter to those who don’t have computers, and so that list includes several Old Order Amish families. I received thank yous from the Plain community about that article and decided to post that article here.
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Rumschpringe is the Pennsylvania Dutch word for “running around.” It’s a time during which Amish young people decide whether or not they’ll join the faith. It usually begins around sixteen years old, and although there isn’t an exact time it’s over, parents encourage a decision to be made during the early twenties. The community begins to feel leery of a young man or woman who remains among them but doesn’t join the faith by the mid- to late twenties. Although none of what I’ve said is written as part of their faith, it is in line with what is expected.
There seems to be a lot of misinformation out there about what a rumschpringe is. Those writing about it often state something to the effect of “The Amish raise their children strictly. Then, when those children turn sixteen, they let them run wild, letting them indulge freely in drinking, drugs, parties, sex, etc.” That is absolutely not true.
I was staying with an Old Order Amish friend last spring (and again in the fall) when an Amish holiday rolled around. Everyone had the day off, and the parents did their best to provide an outlet for the teens to get together and have fun among plenty of chaperones. The parents chipped in and bought pizza and drinks. Someone drove their horse and buggy to an agreed upon spot where the pizza man was willing to meet them to deliver the pizza. Since it was pouring rain, the parents set up volleyball nets inside a huge warehouse-type building.
This is typical of the Old Order Amish. The parents want to offer freedom and fun for their young people as well as a safe, controlled environment. They allow the teens to express their personalities. They give leeway for their energy and provide opportunities to bond with other Amish teens. Although the parents have large families and their days are spent trying to meet the needs of all their children, they do a remarkable job of providing guidance and protection for those in their time of rumschpringe.
Will some teens, regardless of how they’ve been raised, break free of all their parents hold dear? Yes. Does that mean the parents threw open the door to the “world” and encouraged their children to sow their wild oats while they could? No.
The true purpose of the rumschpringe is to provide a bridge between childhood and adulthood. The rumschpringe is meant to give freedom for an Amish young person to find an Amish mate. They are usually free to date anyone during this time, but it is the parents’ desire that they only date other Amish. In spite of that fervent desire, most parents give their young people the chance to see what the world outside the Amish community is like, which means those who are in rumschpringe can date non-Amish people, though their parents may or may not know about it.
We live in a free country. At eighteen, any American is free to leave home and do whatever he or she wishes as long as it isn’t illegal. In a way, the rumschpringe honors that law while providing a loving home environment in which parents pray their child will choose to join the faith.
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The contest for the Amish-made wall hanging is still in progress. I’ll visit my Amish friends in May, and attend their Amish School Auction/Sale. While there I’ll purchase a wall hanging similar to the one below. It won’t have the same pattern, but the overall look will be similar. If you’d like a chance to win the item, just leave a comment below.
April 17th, 2009 at 7:24 am
Thank you for the e-mail on Rumschpringe, you explained it very good. I have several Amish books and they just say any thing about rumschpringe. I know all Amish would like the children to join the faith, but they understand if they don’t. All we can do is pray for our children’s safety.
God bless
April 17th, 2009 at 8:48 am
Thank you for posting an accurate account of what rumschpringe actually represents to the Amish. Believe me there is way too much misinformation out about this.
Although I have firsthand experience with the Amish, I went on a tour in Lancaster PA a few years back with a so-called Amish expert. He really spoke harshly about the Amish youth and how they acted during this time.
Since I have some knowledge and have spent time with Amish families, so I wanted to correct him but didn’t have the courage to do it.
I love your books and how authentic they are. Keep up the good work!
Betty
April 17th, 2009 at 12:58 pm
Thank you for all the wonderful insight on the Amish and their way of life. So many people have so many negative things to say about the Amish. I am fasinated with the Amish and their way of life. If everyone would just take the time to learn more about them and their ways then more people would understand them and their way of life. They are a family oriented people and are always there for one another. We could take a lesson or two from them on how to treat one another. Everyone has problems within family, We always try to find others to blame. But the Amish Pray and help one another through their diffculties. They are a people of one. I love learning new and interesting things about them. Please keep informing us on the true facts about them. God Bless!
April 17th, 2009 at 4:05 pm
Thanks for writing these books about the Amish.I like to read about them and seeing them.It amazes me how they can forgive so easy and help each other.I think we could learn a couple of lessons from them.Anyway thanks,very much.
April 20th, 2009 at 1:10 am
I have always been a fan of a senior author whom wrote amish stories, but Cindy you kept me guessing!!! I just loved your series. I never thought I would say this but you have become my favorite author. So now hurry and get more books published soon!!
Just Me,
Patty
April 20th, 2009 at 1:19 am
I love reading your books! I love reading about the Amish, how they live such a simple life but still so many things go on in their familes and homes. I have learned a lot about them from reading and have tried to incorporate some of their ways of living into my life to make it better.
April 20th, 2009 at 9:21 pm
Thanks for clarifying that. There is a lot of misinformation out there!
April 20th, 2009 at 9:35 pm
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR GIVING ME THE CHANCE TO GO BACK TO MY WORLD THAT WAS SO MUCH LIKE THE AMISH.
I WAS NOT ALLOWED TO DATE UNTIL I WAS 18. AND MY PARENTS ALSO MADE SURE WE HAD A CHAPERONE WITH US. AND I HAD A CURFEW. NOT ONE MINUTE BEFORE WE WERE TOLD AND NOT ONE MINUTE AFTER.I HAD TO BE THERE WHEN MY FATHER SAID.
THERE ARE DAYS I WISH I WERE REALLY LIVING THEIR KIND OF LIFE. THE SIMPLE LIFE IS DEFINITELY THE KIND OF LIFE EVERYONE SHOULD BE DOING.
THANK YOU FOR GIVING ME THE TIME TO DREAM.
April 21st, 2009 at 1:14 pm
I’ve read a number of books on the Amish lately. I enjoyed reading your post. My mom taught me to quilt. It’s something very meaningful that we share. The wall-hanging is beautiful!
~ Wendy
April 21st, 2009 at 2:29 pm
I enjoy watching the buggies go by at night and especially on Sunday’s. The youth are so full of life and they truly enjoy the simplier things in life. My son will soon go to Japan and he can’t wait to come home and join the youth at the Amish school sale and play baseball. They ( the youth) enjoy that old saying from Suzie Orman. ” People first” and believe me, they relish their times together. Pennsylvannia is a great place to live. See you soon!
April 21st, 2009 at 4:56 pm
I am a huge Amish fan..I HAVE READ SO MANY BOOKS ABOUT THEM ..YOUR ARTICLE ABOUT THE RUMSCHPRINGE
AMONG THE TEENAGERS WAS RIGHT ON!!!!
I REALLY DO ENVY THESE PEOPLE WITH THEIR FAITH AND FORGIVENESS… THE ARE TRULY GOD’S PEOPLE..
I HAVE NEVER BEEN TO THE AMISH COUNTRY BUT I WOULD GIVE ANYTHING TO GO…WITH GODS WILL MAYBE I CAN GO THIS SUMMER… I FEEL BLESSED TO BE ABLE TO READ YOUR BOOKS AND LEARN FROM YOU..
LINDA JENKINS
April 24th, 2009 at 1:06 pm
The beautiful quilt reminds me of my grandmother who set her quilt frame in her living room and worked on her quilts are her pace. I am reading the third book of the Sisters of the Quilt series. Love them! Keep it up! Interesting people to read about.
April 27th, 2009 at 3:50 pm
I love reading about the Amish and wished I knew of a family that would let me visit and experience the plain life. Thanks for the clarification about the Rumschpringe its every Parents battle while living the Plain life or not we all want our kids to come to the Lord and make the right decisions. Love the wall hanging would love to win one. Thanks for all your great writing.
Iris
April 27th, 2009 at 4:43 pm
I HAVE LIVE NEAR THE AMISH COMMUNITY AND I READ EVERY BOOK I CAN FIND. I LOVE THE LIFE AND CULTURE OF THE AMISH. I BELIEVE THEM TO BE VERY RESPECTFUL OF OTHER’S AROUND THEM. IT IS VERY SAD TO SAY BUT US ENGLISHERS DO NOT TREAT THEM WITH THE RESPECT THAT THEY DESERVE OR THE RESPECT THAT THEY TREAT US WITH. I WOULD LOVE TO SEE LOVE EXTEND TO OUR AMISH FRIENDS.
April 28th, 2009 at 8:40 am
That is one of the most true writings on rumspringa I’ve ever read! Being married to a man who was born and raised amish, I am well aware of what goes on during this time but Ive never heard anyone refer to it as rumspringa except the English! I have two sisters-in-law that are 16 and 17, and they are allowed to do what they please no rules attached. But not all amish are what everyone makes them out to be. I love my amish family, but they are the same as everyone else! Some break the church rules over and over, some are alcoholics, and other things. A lot are outstanding christians who love there families and church but not everything is perfect. Knowing first hand about a lot of this makes it very difficult to read a lot of things with the negitive out look, so thanks.
April 28th, 2009 at 11:54 am
I love the way you tell the true meaning of the Amish. I have always found their ways of living such an interesting way of life!!
April 28th, 2009 at 5:16 pm
I LOVE TO READ ABOUT THE AMISH LIFE AND CULTURE.
YOUR BOOKS GIVE A GOOD VIEW OF THE WAY THEY LIVE.I
THINK THEIR WAY OF LIFE IS VERY INTERESTING.
April 30th, 2009 at 8:15 am
Thanks for the full explination about Amish rumspring. Although it is very normal for parents to allow certain freedoms to their teenagers, I like the “community” effort that Amish provide for their teens to get to know one another, socialize, and have good clean fun w/o exposing them to the full evils the world has to offer. They even allow families from neighboring communities of Amish to join them. It greatly encourages the Christian community to do the same thing–to give freedom reins only when the bonds of trust have been fully formed between parents and their teens. I am encouraged by your books. They give a perspective of real life happening in an Amish culture that is very different from our own, and how they deal with problems that come from outside their “protected” world. Their faith is strong, no doubt, but as a Christian, I must remember that I can do nothing w/o Christ in my life and that in Jesus is my foundation of faith, not in anything I can do to accomplish God’s merciful gift of grace and salvation. And to remember that all things come from the Father, through His hands have the situations of my life come, and I can do no less than to accept them, grow from them, and allow Jesus’ character to transform my character to be like His. Thank you for your faith, and how it is expressed in the books you write.
April 30th, 2009 at 9:15 pm
Thank you so much for the information and the wonderful books. The wall hanging is beautiful. I would love to learn to quilt.
May 1st, 2009 at 12:58 am
I would just like to say that I LOVE your books! I read the first one about three weeks ago and fell in love with it. My grandmother gave me the other two to read. I devoured them both in a day and a half. I love to read about the Amish but yours are among my absolute favorites!! Thanks so much for putting such wonderful books out there! I can’t wait until you put out more!!
May 1st, 2009 at 7:35 pm
A friend told me about these books. She is on #3 and cannot wait to finish, yet hates to finish because she says the characters have become so real to her. I can hardly wait to start them!
May 2nd, 2009 at 9:50 pm
I have enjoyed reading every one of your books so far. I have had the pleasure of traveling several Amish communities and find them all quite fascinating and I am always interested to learn there are many established areas throughout the United States.
I can’t wait till you have new releases the wait it is a killer! Your books are fascinating and full of wonderful characters. Anxiously awaiting your new releases and new series.
May 4th, 2009 at 10:08 am
I have purchased all your books as gifts for my 80-year-old mother. She loves reading them and learning more about the Amish culture. She is very active and spent an entire day last week quilting. I will be purchasing your books (which will be released this fall)for her – she can’t wait for them to be published.
May 4th, 2009 at 2:10 pm
I love your books! You are a very nice person and hope to meet you again someday.
Thank you for the explaination of the rumschpringe. I love reading about the Amish and admire their community.
Looking forward to the new books!
God bless you!
Nancy
May 4th, 2009 at 10:10 pm
I have just started reading your book ” When the Heart Cries” I love this book. I cant wait to read the rest of the books that follow this and any other books you have. This book is fascinating. I have always gound the ways of the Amish fascinating. I also think we all could learn quiet a bit from them. I enjoyed the article you wrote to explain rumschpringe. It was very helpful. I look forward to reading all your books you have already written and will write in the future. You do a wonderful job at writing. CONGRATULATIONS. Also thank you for writing your books.
Sincerely,
Sally
May 5th, 2009 at 12:00 pm
Thank you for your explanation of Rumschpringe in the Amish Faith. I have read many books on the Amish Faith and highly respect their life, culture and faith.
I had the opportunity this spring to visit three Amish families and we had a wonderful time together.
I enjoy your books, you keep be guessing and sitting on the edge of my chair. Once I start reading I can’t but it down.
Thank you for allowing us through your books to share in this gift of writing God has given you.
May 6th, 2009 at 10:17 am
I have just finished reading When the Heart Cries. It was so well written, informative, exciting and interesting. I couldn’t put it down. I felt impelled to read the next page and then the next. And now I can’t wait to get the next book in the series.
May 6th, 2009 at 10:46 am
I enjoy your books so much. More times than not while reading the Lord speaks to me about something going on in my life. Thank you for the prayers that go into the books.
May 6th, 2009 at 6:26 pm
Thank you for that information! I love each and every one of your books. Keep up the good work and God Bless you.
May 7th, 2009 at 12:37 am
Thank you for clarifying Rumschpringe. I live in Lawrenceburg, TN, and I am very close to the Amish community in Ethridge, TN. In fact there is an Amish family that lives just down the road from my house. They are wonderful neighbors. Several in our area have the idea that the teens get to run wild during Rumschpringe. I have learned through reading your books as well as several other author’s of Amish Inspriation Fiction that is just not the case. I will send your explanation on to other’s so that they will be properly informed. Thanks again.
May 7th, 2009 at 8:05 pm
Thank you for sharing the truth about Rumschpringe.
I understood and knew what you are saying is true from real experience. blessings to all.
May 8th, 2009 at 10:47 am
i loved the books you wrote i found it quite interesting the fathers role and how even being old order amish he could not always tell the truth but did not really have to lie i think the running around idea is what every society has for their children in between childhood and adult hood we all just call it something different and have different rules all with hope for the same outcome and the other thing i found interesting is the fact that calling the unmentionable the unmentionable is still talking about it no matter what you call it its like saying we are not going to talk about homework and if we are going to talk about it we are going to call it the paper work so kids are you going to do your paper work tonight hope to read more of your work thank you
May 8th, 2009 at 10:51 am
I have read all three of the Sisters of the Quilt Series. I love stories about the Amish, and you did yourself proud. I’m looking forward to the next one. When can we expect it???
May 8th, 2009 at 2:01 pm
I admire all the hard work that the amish do. They seem to do everything to 100% and still enjoy their family and friends. If more people had the work effort of the Amish, and values that they could believe in, this world would be a better place.
May 8th, 2009 at 10:31 pm
I love learning about the Amish and their way of life. I have become enthralled reading Amish literature for the past 4 years and was so excited to find your books during my last trip to Lancaster County. Thank you so much for helping the “English” community understand the Amish and Mennonites better.
May 8th, 2009 at 11:08 pm
I just finished your book “When The Heart Cries” and loved it. I don’t know a lot about the Amish people and have enjoyed learning as I read. Am looking forward reading the 2nd book as soon as I can get to the library. Great writing.
May 9th, 2009 at 1:50 pm
I loved your article about Rumschpringe. Thank you for writing about it in such a respectful and honorable way. Thank you also for doing such an
awesome job of writing about the Amish in your books. I can’t wait until the next two come out in August and October! I’m hooked on anything Amish!
Love and hugs!
May 11th, 2009 at 9:05 am
I am looking forward to reading your books. I happened to see an article about you in the Lancaster County news and that is how I found out about your books. I live in Maryland and attend the mud sales in March and April. I would love to know more about the school sale auctions you have mentioned. I would love to know dates and times if you have this available.
Thank you
May 12th, 2009 at 5:56 pm
I am reading “When the Heart Cries” and love it! I bought the other two of the series already and can’t wait to get to them, but hold dear every moment as I am reading the first book.
I feel compelled to simplify my life. I never realized what a cluttered life I am leading…..
Thank you much for this education.
May 13th, 2009 at 12:02 pm
The Amish are a very interesting group of people. I enjoy reading about them and the traditions that are so important to the communities that they cherish. It is very clear in reading about this unique group of people that the family and their faith is the most important aspect of the “Plain People”. Your newsletter about “the running around years” was very informative. Thank you.
May 15th, 2009 at 2:26 pm
Having just discovered and read books one and two of your series, I’m looking forward to book three. In these troubled time we live in, it’s so refreshing to read about families who still put God, each other, and their communities ahead of all the greed, etc, we see everywhere. If only the rest of us could adapt more of the Amish attitudes, I feel this world would be such a better place. Thank you for showing that, even in the Amish society, people have to battle their own personal “demons”. It’s encouraging to those of us striving to serve God in a heathen world.
May 16th, 2009 at 6:09 pm
I love all three of your books. I’m almost 17 years old now and thought it would be fun to read a book with the character’s name the same as my won when I rented it from my local library. I couldn’t put “When the Heart Cries” down. I finally finished it the NEXT day and borrowed “When the Morning Comes”. At that time, book three was not out and I didn’t have a clue of when it would appear at my library. At last, I got to read “When the Soul Mends”. I was so very pleased at how you ended the series. Christmas came and I received book three from my mother. I was ecstatic! Dad got me one and two a little later. I thank you for writing a series where the main character endures many of the same trials I, as well as countless other, too, have been through. I hope you will continue to write and am anticipating your next novel.
Blessings,
Hannah T., 16
Ohio
May 18th, 2009 at 11:07 am
Thank you for your wonderful stories on the Amish way of life. I hope to see more of your work soon! You are a very blessed and gifted writer. Thank you for sharing that with the world!
Blessings
May 19th, 2009 at 10:32 am
Thank you for your stories. I cried through the first one. It really touches your heart. People tend to judge harshly what they don’t understand. I agree with so many others that simple living may be the best for all of us. If there were not so many distractions in our homes parents would be spending more time listening to their children. Keep up the good work!
May 21st, 2009 at 5:23 pm
Thank you for your book. I read your first book “when the Heart Cries”. I just could not put it down even though I did not know much about the Amish customs or culture. I was given the book by a friend. Once I finished it, I looked you up to see what else you have out there and I just purchased the Kindle Edition of When the morning comes. I see that you have more coming out later this year. I will surely buy all your book from here on it. Please keep up the great work and thanks for letting us know about the Amish. The more we know about other people, the more we can love everyone.
Sincerely
Carol Dazzo
May 26th, 2009 at 4:35 pm
I recently visited Amish country and they are truly a God fearing people and I admire that about them. The world today is so poluted that it is hard to see why they would let their children “run around”. It makes more since knowing that they try to provide a good environment for them to do so. Thank you for sharing this.
May 27th, 2009 at 12:43 am
I just ordered “When the Heart Cries” after seeing a report about you on Nightline. I have read many of the comments, and now I’m really anxious to get the book, although it will probably be two weeks at least before I get it. I have read other Amish fiction books, and I think you got the rumpspringa right. In some books, the adults don’t take part in the meetings of the youth, but your explanation is more realistic. I have also read nonfiction articles about the Amish.
Theresa G.
May 27th, 2009 at 1:32 am
Wei geht’s! or something like that:)
Guess what?! Just watched you a few minutes ago on Nightline!! And not long ago I finished “When the Soul Mends”….a very powerful series-an awesome job! I know I wanted to write to you re it at the time, but maybe didn’t; now it is not fresh enough to comment more. I was born into a conservative Mennonite home in Quakertown, Pa.; my dad became a minister and we moved to Cass Lake, Mn. to work among the Chippawa Indians at a little country Mennonite church. About 4 yrs. later we left the church-a BIG story!
Anyway! You did a fabulous job in the interview, no doubt about it-amazing to see such an interview on Nightline, eh?! Wow, watch those sales skyrocket, for starters!
Blessings abundant…..what faith were you raised in….and how aware are you of the similarities and differences between the Amish and Mennonites? My folks spoke Pa. Dutch when they didn’t want us to understand-ha! We caught on more than they realized
.
Joy from Minnesota!
May 27th, 2009 at 12:57 pm
I saw your interview on Nightline last eve and this prompted me to look up your work and writing. The interview was in my opinion the more accurate and interesting that most of this type of interview. This is when I discovered your “The Amish and Rumschpringe” and read the article published here.Thank you for a correct insight into the rumschpringe misinformation. My grandparents grew up Amish and I grew up with Amish in northern Indiana and most of the information is written to sell books and is not the whole story as I remember it from home. This article will be good for me to recommend to friends and others that only know the sensational parts.
Jim from Amish country in Kansas
May 28th, 2009 at 9:00 pm
I just read your letter on the “Rumschpringe” above, very good. I also watched your ABC Nightline interview on your website. I was introduced to your first book by a vendor in Shrewsbury (PA) Amish Markets. I have since read the other 2 books in the Sisters of the Quilt series and must say I had a difficult time putting the books down. I love your books and can hardly wait for the new series to be released. You have become my #1 author among the other Amish book authors. I was very upset that I could not make your book signing in Lancaster, PA. earlier this month. I will definitely watch for another signing near Lancaster, PA. and hopefully meet you then. Please keep the books coming!
May 29th, 2009 at 9:01 pm
Just wanted to let you know I have read your books and hope there will be a book 4. You write beautiful books…My husband and I went to the Amish community a couple of years ago and he has promised to take me back…I simply love those people…Thank you so much…
May 31st, 2009 at 10:44 pm
I enjoy reading about the Amish community and their way of life. I especially enjoy reading about quilting and cooking and their enjoyment of simple things. I was never sure what the rumpschpringe involved although I never thought it was a “wild” time. I enjoyed the article very much.
June 5th, 2009 at 10:53 am
Love your books and your insight into the Amish life. I’d love to win the wall hanging. I would like to visit an Amish community at some point. I think they have a quality of being content with what they have that could be used in society in general right now.
June 5th, 2009 at 10:54 am
I really enjoy your books and look forward to each new one that you write. I also enjoyed the news letter about “Rumschpringe ” and will plan to subscribe to your newsletter.
June 11th, 2009 at 11:49 am
My husband and I have both read all your books and are waiting anxiously for the next one to come out.
We had a chance to visit Lancaster, Penn several years ago. This was our first time being around the Amish community. I was so taken by their way of life. Their simplicity of it. I think we all can take some lessons from them. We have so many distractions in our homes that we forget sometimes to sit down, have some wonderful close family times.
I was just so taken by their ways, and didn’t know that we had folks that were living this life style.
Thanks you for explaining their way of life.
Keep up your good work.
Donna
June 17th, 2009 at 10:54 pm
Thanks for the information. I enjoy reading books with Amish themes but have been confused about this aspect of their culture. It is nice to know the truth so that I can discern the truth from fiction in the future!
July 24th, 2009 at 4:59 am
I watched a show called devils playground (i think it was) about this. It made it look way worse then you put it. One amish boy even got caught up in meth. I enjoy reading amish books, i have always been interested in the amish culture, ever since i was little and drove thru Berne, Indiana. I saw a horse and buggy with amish people and ever since then i have always been interested. My mom always jokes that im going to marry an amish guy, but she is just joking around, she knows amish guys are only supposed to date girls in the amish community. I just find them so interesting in every aspect. I also read a book from Lurlene Mcdaniel about the amish, it took place in Napanee, Indiana. I plan to travel there one day, just to see the amish. It excites me. Thier Quilts are beautiful and the woodwork is remarkable.
August 13th, 2009 at 9:34 pm
I JUST discovered you and your books!
My husband and I stopped at Barnes & Noble to
pick up the new book on Teddy Roosevelt for him…and I saw the announcement for the book
signing! The website is awesome! Can I possibly
locate, purchase, and read 4 books in 4 days?
We shall see!!!!