Raising Children

Explain what you are doing and be specific – people usually just take for granted that kids should just  understand our reason for telling them to do something… these new spirits coming down are very valiant in the cause for free agency and they want choices. Here are some Examples of things we did that seemed to work well for our children. It might not work into your schedule...but hopefully you can get some ideas:

• Listen to them when they come home...: rather than asking- How was your day at school? They will then answer with one syllable like ‘fine.' Instead ASK:  Did you have fun at recess? Did you have a test? How was your report?  Then listen intently. I like to type the cute things they say in my journal for them on my computer. Get used to them talking and don't tune them out...they are so fun to listen to.
•   I always made dinner at 3:00 when they first got home and was hungry. That 10 minute dinner table became the object of many fun and important conversations.
•  I also got up early and made breakfast and read scriptures in the morning while they were eating,        I had a captive audience for 10 minutes. (It doesn’t take long to eat so I never wanted to miss it)    It seemed to set such a good tone in the home. We read the Book of Mormon every school year for 20 years. I would start in August with  "I Nephi, having been born of goodly parents..." and end with Moroni telling us to get our own testimony in May.   We would take a break in Summer as everyone slept in differently...but I really noticed a difference in how well we got along as a family when we were reading scriptures...it was much much better.
• MINER FAMILY HOME EVENINGS. (This article is in the book "Famous Family Nights" compiled by Anne Bradshaw - the book can be purchased on Amazon)
  
  
  When the children were younger we had regular Family Home Evenings. As a former school teacher I had a lot of visual aids and puppets that we could use to teach the concepts.  All the kids remember and still laugh about the puppet shows because we had this stage made out of cardboard and the children had helped to make the puppets.  
  They would change their voices and use music for the background.
  
  
  At first we as parents taught most all the lessons then, as the children got older they got excited to teach the lessons to the younger children. And now as my younger children are older they can teach the lessons to our grandchildren.
  
  
  Before we had the professional book that the church puts out with FHE guidelines, we would use the “Gospel Principles” book used by the missionaries as a lesson manual for the guide line and then make it fun with treats, songs, games and activities.
  
  
  One year we tried each to share and teach our talents to one another. Dad and the Boys could teach just about any sport and the Girls would teach dancing and Mom could teach singing. We had fun but also grew to appreciate how difficult each talent was.
  
  
  Another year the focus was Emergency Preparedness and Learning Life Skills.
  One lesson was First Aid – We laugh when we see the photos of the children wrapping each other up almost like mummies with bandages. However, two of my children each at different times and later in life actually won awards for life saving skills taught that day.
  
  
  One lesson was on starting our scrapbooks which we have continued to update twice a year as a Conference tradition. I recently called my daughter on a Conference Saturday and she and her daughters were doing their scrapbooks. I hung up the phone with a tear in my eye with memories of my children and seeing that tradition continued.
  
  
  Family Home Evenings have evolved from having a regular time on Monday Night when the children were young…to Sunday Evenings, when children had sports or lessons on Monday. At one point as a busy mother and professional woman with busy children who all pursued their talents we had irregular Family Home Evenings on different nights.
  We would discuss our schedules at Sunday Dinner to see when everyone could get together.
  
  
  As the children grew up to have their own families we would have dinner every Sunday afternoon. One great Home Evening was when each took turns sharing about their Missions. They brought scrapbooks, videos, and told many amazing faith promoting stories.
  
  
  As families moved away and got bigger families, we now try to schedule something once a month with the ones close by; such as Field Trips to the Zoo, Amusement Park, or Camping.
  
  
  I believe you have to enjoy each season of your life and do your best to incorporate the teachings of the Church and follow the Spirit for your family and your situation. The bottom line is they grow up knowing that you have a Testimony and Love the Lord.