Good Advice

I am grateful for the opportunity I had to meet an incredible mom in Illinois that was raising 8 children on her own. She had an wonderful family. The first 5 (three boys and two girls) have or are currently serving missions. The last 3 too young to serve yet but I have little doubt that they will when they are old enough. By watching how these 8 children and their mom interacted with one another, it was obvious that they were a very close family. I recall that when their 8 year old had to give a talk in primary, the whole family including the brothers and sisters in YM and YW came to watch and support. The mom and I became great friends as we worked out together often at the local YMCA. She recently emailed me back after I told her that I missed seeing her often and getting some parenting advice. I want to share with you her response to me.

"Terri, you don't need any advice to raise good kids. Just be the kind of parent that Heavenly Father is to you. When questions come, just do as He would do. In doubt, search the scriptures for answers. They are there. You will do well."

Also, her response to me sending my twins to kindergarten: "Cool about your twins going to school. You will miss them I am sure. But I have found that it doesn't matter much when they go to school, it is what the home is about that matters most. That is where they will come back to everyday. As you keep the spirit in the home, they will recognize it, and that will give them the strength to go out into the world once again."

Thanks Terry Smith! Those are things I need to hear. Thanks for the encouragement. It is nothing I haven't heard before, but the part that struck me was "be the kind of parent that Heavenly Father is to you." It really made me think that I am way to harsh with my kids. I am thankful that Heavenly Father isn't that harsh with me. I need to be more forgiving, loving, understanding, and patient. Unfortunately I have a long way to go with those qualities, but I am working on them. I guess that's all that Heavenly Father asks of us.