My mind has been weighed heavily lately about raising my children in this cruel, difficult world we live in. ( Of course, there's so many good things about living in this world too) but it scares me letting "my children loose" into this world when they're older.
Can they just always stay little?
There are so many wonderful quotes and talks about Motherhood, but today I was actually reading in a manual called " Teaching: No Greater Call" ( A resource guide for gospel teaching.) This book has been sitting on my shelf for years and years, and I've maybe skimmed through it a few times. Such a shame, because I took it off the bookshelf the other day, dusted it off, and read through it for the first time. It's really such a wonderful, insightful book.
Those of you who are sort of familiar with it, and those who aren't... did you know there are a few chapters in this book that give you ideas of how to actually teach gospel principles in the home? These are things I've always dreamed of doing with my children as their mother. The most important thing I think I can give my children as their mother besides love... is teaching them the gospel of Jesus Christ.
One of my favorite hymns goes like this:
" Teach me to walk in the light of His love;
teach me to pray to my father above.
Teach me to know all the things that are right;
teach me, teach me, to walk in the light.
Come little child and together we'll learn;
Of his commandments that we may return
Home to His presence, to live in his sight--
Always, always to walk in the light."
(Teach Me To Walk In the Light. Hymn #304)
I'd love to share with you a few things I read today that not only helped get rid of my "fears" of my children facing the dangers of this world... but it got me excited
& FAITH quickly replaced my fear.
I feel like these babies who are coming to earth are VERY strong. I believe the Lord saved these children to come down in these last days because they CAN handle it. Not only handle it, but rise above it all too. ( In a wonderful, humble way.) :)
Especially if we mothers and fathers teach them the gospel in our homes.
Some of the things we can teach in our home are the basic principles of the gospel: prayer, scripture study, and actually living the gospel.
With all the craziness and evil in this world, we can't afford to NOT teach our children the simple, yet important principles of the gospel.
Your children will learn best by YOUR EXAMPLE. ( There's a quote I have and it says: " Your children will become who you are, so be what you want them to be." (Ouch!) That's a tough one, but true! Be who you want them to be.
Another way to teach your children in the home is turn little moments into teaching moments with your children. It's important to recognize these moments and be prepared to teach principles that your children are ready to learn.
Some of your greatest teaching moments will be unplanned.
Here are some examples the book gives:
~ Address your children's questions or worries: for example, all children have worries. If your daughter is frightened by a thunder storm, you can use this as a teaching moment and encourage her to pray for comfort during the storm.
~ or if you're given too much change at a store, you could use this as a teaching moment to ask your children what you should do in this moment? Leave the store with the extra money... or be honest and give it back to the cashier.
There are SO many opportunities each day to teach our children gospel principles. My sweet little girl is always asking so many questions. She's two. She's still brand new in this world. I love answering her questions. Even though she's two, I know she understands a lot at this age. It's so important to take the time to TEACH in these little moments, even when they're little. Especially when they're little.
( BUT It's never too late to start teaching. Just start now. :) )
I've always wanted to teach elementary school. At such a young age, I loved gathering the neighbor children and sort of forcing them to play school with me ( sorry, neighbors!) and I mostly feel sorry for my sister, Ashley, who was always a good sport and was always a good student. haha. Sorry, Ashley! I grew up, went to college, and eventually graduated with a degree in Elementary Education.
I put off my dream of teaching to be a stay at home mom... and what an absolute blessing it has been.
A mom is the best of both worlds because not only are you a nurturer and lover of your children... you're also a full time teacher. What a better place for your children to learn than in the walls of your own home.
President Benson said:
" Mothers, you are your children's best teacher... Teach your children the gospel in your own home, at your own fireside. This is the most effective teaching that your children will ever receive. This is the Lord's way of teaching. The Church cannot teach like you can. The school cannot. The day-care center cannot. But you can, and the Lord will sustain you. Your children will remember your teachings forever, and when they are old, they will not depart from them. They will call you blessed- their truly angel mother."
"As a mother you teach in many ways. Sometimes you teach by example, sometimes by precept. Sometimes you teach by establishing patterns of gospel living in the home and sometimes by just taking time to pay attention and show love."
President Benson gave 10 suggestions that can help you teach your children. I loved these.
1. Take time to always be at the crossroads when your children are either coming or going... whether your children are 6 or 16.
2. Take time to be a real friend to your children
3. Take time to read to your children
4. Take time to pray with your children
5. Take time to have a meaningful weekly family home evening... make this one of your great family traditions.
6. Take time to be together at mealtimes as often as possible
7. take time daily to read the scriptures together as a family
8. Take time to do things together as a family
9. Take time to teach your children. Catch the teaching moments.
10. Take time to truly love your children. A mother's unqualified love approaches Christlike love.
" It is important to remember that the Lord does not expect mothers to be perfect or to achieve an unrealistic ideal standard of homemaking. Yet He does expect them to recognize and honor their divine role and to humbly do their best." { Teaching, No Greater Call p. 131}
See? This book is awesome!
I really enjoyed reading it. These are all things I want to be much better at. Thank goodness the Lord knows I'm not perfect... but I know all that matters to Him is that I'm trying. :)
Story:
When Anne Romney was asked what she did for a living when her husband was running for president, she responded that she was a stay at home mom. Most reporters were expecting her to say she was a CEO at a big company, or something of that nature. They were a bit surprised when she gave the answer she did. A lot of people ridiculed her and figured she had no idea what the real world is like-- after all, she was "just a stay at home mom." ( JUST a stay at home mom?) She was a mother who raised young boys into successful, righteous, wonderful men who are great addition to their societies and communities.
Don't ever let anyone make you feel you aren't adding much to this world by "just" being a mother. You are raising these future generations. These generations are GREAT because of mothers like YOU.
Bless you mothers who have to balance your work schedule with your duties at home. Bless you mothers who are single or who are widowed. Bless you mothers who are dealing with trials and heart aches. Bless you mothers who keep going. Bless you future mothers who have a desire to raise your own children someday. Bless you beautiful women who are unable to bear children but have a never-ending desire to be a mother. Bless you. You are all examples to me and I am in awe of you.
So, in conclusion: As mothers, let's replace our fear with FAITH. Let's help our children put on the "whole armor of God" before they walk out the door each morning. These children are amazing, strong, and valiant. Do your best to love them, nurture them, and teach them the principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
It will become their rock.
I hope you found these things as helpful as I did! Thanks for reading. :)
" ... Your children will remember your teachings forever, and when they are old, they will not depart from them. They will call you blessed- their truly angel mother..." ~ President Benson.
=) I enjoyed it, thanks for sharing
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