Love your Children

With the millions of issues going on in the world today one might think 'How can I help safeguard my children?'

You might also wonder 'how can I prevent these things from happening to them?'

Bottom line is Love your Kids.

A wonder talk was given by Elder D. Todd Christofferson titled 'Brethren, We Have Work to Do' in the October 2012 Priesthood session.
He mentioned a lot about how our children and especially how boys are being treated in society and the consequences there of.  He opening comments are fitting to be copied.

"Brethren, much has been said and written in recent years about the challenges of men and boys. A sampling of book titles, for example, includes Why There Are No Good Men Left, The Demise of Guys, The End of Men, Why Boys Fail, and Manning Up. Interestingly, most of these seem to have been written by women. In any case, a common thread running through these analyses is that in many societies today men and boys get conflicting and demeaning signals about their roles and value in society."

 As we look at society we find that in almost all cases the best situation for a child is to have both parents present and if possible at least one at home so they have an anchor on which to hold.
Unfortunately, due to the cost of living and other circumstance we find way to many children coming home after school to an empty house.   But, this is not worse then giving your child a fully activated IPhone to take with them and use all day while your not around.   You really don't know what is happening do you?

In this world we live in today there are so many outside influences that can effect our children.  Sometimes we really don't know how much influence that idle chatter on the playground is really having.


Don't you want to be the primary influence in the life of your kid?

It's not easy but, there are things you can do that will help to make sure your an influence in the life of your child.  Especially, as they grow you don't want them getting their information at school if you can provide it in a more appropriate way at home.

Consider these things:

• Have dinner together as a family.
  "Our second key relationship is with our families. Since “no other success can compensate for failure” ¹²  here, we must place high priority on our families. We build deep and loving family relationships by doing simple things together, like family dinner and family home evening and by just having fun together. In family relationships love is really spelled t-i-m-e, time. Taking time for each other is the key for harmony at home. We talk with, rather than about, each other. We learn from each other, and we appreciate our differences as well as our commonalities. We establish a divine bond with each other as we approach God together through family prayer, gospel study, and Sunday worship." Of Things That Matter Most Dieter F. Uchtdorf
  
• Actively participate in a religion. This will provide a moral and ethical basis for decision making. This also provides a support group various members of your family may decide to use.

• Hold a week family home evening   
  
  “We have a family home evening program once a week [Monday night] across the Church in which parents sit down with their children. They study the scriptures. They talk about family problems. They plan family activities and things of that kind. I don’t hesitate to say if every family in the world practiced that one thing, you’d see a very great difference in the solidarity of the families of the world” (interview, Boston Globe, 14 Aug. 2000). Family Home Evening By President Gordon B. Hinckley

• Don't overly criticize the choices of your child.  This may cause them to not confide in you down the road.  Keep the communication channels open, then you can find out what is going in their lives and intervene when appropriate.

• Be fair and do not show favoritism.   Give 'T-I-M-E'.  Involve your children in activities together.  And so them you care about each one.  This may have to be on a one-for-one basis.

• Be consistent. 
  Give 'T-I-M-E'.  Don't have a dual standard.  They will not trust you after a time.  This takes work so that mom and dad are on the same page.

As we strive to follow the above ideas we have a chance at protecting our children.   They will be emboldened and more confident.  You will also be the major influence in their lives.  They will feel comfortable coming to you and if not they will likely confide in a youth leader in your chosen religion.   Don't be scared by this.  It can be helpful in more ways then you can imagine.


Check this link for a variety of Free publications that relate to helping strengthen families and marriages.






Here is a list of some of some wonderful films you might want to view with your family on your weekly family night.



Or consider these family friendly games





Buaidh - NO - Bas