When I thought to begin this endeavor, I planned to write every Sunday afternoon - without fail! If pioneers could write in their journals every day while crossing the plains and the mountains surely I could take a few minutes on a Sunday afternoon to communicate with my family. But, alas! I found that pioneers are better at many things than I am, journal writing, rabbit skinning and driving an ox team.
Now that it has been one of my weeks - mine are of a noticeably different length than those of the rest of the world - I have again found the determination to write my thoughts.
I have been attending professional development classes for the last two days and have a renewed gratefulness for all of you who have learned for yourselves and are trying to teach your children the right way to act, whether it be thinking of others, sharing, taking responsibility, or just doing something because it needs to be done or it is the right thing to do.
More and more children in our society are not being taught by their parents, but are simply existing within the same sphere as their parents (or parent). Many children of our times can't come to school to learn academics. They are weighted down with concerns that should belong to parents like "Where will I sleep tonight?" "Do I have a coat to wear?" "I can't think because my tooth hurts." or "Will I be safe tonight?"
The parents did not learn to be grown-ups and now their children are paying for it. And our society as a whole will suffer as a school system that was designed to teach academics is being taxed beyond capacity as a social work system, expected to take care of all problems that a child or family might encounter. Children are being taught by parental example to expect everything to be provided for them, from meals to clothing, housing, medical and psychiatric care.
The times, they are a-changin' as the song says.
You will need to teach so much more to your children than I had to. Children learn by example and by imitation. Your children will see so many bad examples and things to imitate that you, as parents, will need to be actively - not passively - involved in teaching them. A recent article I read lists things that parents can do to help their children maximize their learning. Among those listed are: Keeping a calendar; turn off TV, cell phones and iPods to study; communicate an attutude that learning is good - play Scrabble and Monopoly; don't overload kids schedules, give them time to just play and be kids; praise effort, not intellect. You all had many more good people to look to that your children will have. Keep them close to the extended family and to those who love and care for them. Let them always know that they are loved and highly valued. All of them that I have met, so far, are really great people.
Spiritual learning needs to be planned and consistent. Please do better than we ever did at having Family Night, family prayer, and scripture study. Our hit-or-miss plan for spiritual teaching was really not the best. I think that you all learned a lot, but not as much as you might have, if we as parents, had been more committed to a regular program. You were all intelligent and curious enough to explore and find your own way to a testimony, so maybe what we did wasn't so bad.
Dad and I have talked many times about how we are amazed and in awe of the fantastic children we were given. How wonderful you all are. We were so blessed to be entrusted with you. You are all so much more - so much better - than we could ever hope to be. As your children come from Heavenly Father always remember where they came from and what they can someday become. You are being entrusted with those who may someday become gods and godesses. It is an awesome and humbling opportunity ( and responsibility) that you are being given. Please continue to learn from both the good and the bad examples around you, so you might help your children. Follow the counsel of Joseph Smith and raise up your children in the way that they should go.
Remember always that each of you is loved and highly valued by your family, your parents and yoour Heavenly Father.
Love,
Mom
