The best parenting advice that I ever got was from my Grandma Beena. "Raise your kids so other people can stand them!, Robin" She told me not long after Holly was born. My Grandma was 95 at the time. It wasn't until years later I completely understood the wisdom in her words.
Fast forward 17 years, I sure wish Grandma Beena was here to help me through the teen years...This is way more challenging in a different way then I ever imagined. And most of the time I feel I am barely hanging on by my fingernails. The last week the ATTITUDE around here was in overdrive times 3 and my "perfect" home was far from peaceful. To add to it, I had to coordinate a Parenting Workshop for Relief Society and I felt like the last person on the planet who should be giving out advice of any kind, much less on parenting.
As I began to put together something I might share at the workshop, I came across a talk from the last General Conference entitled "Courageous Parenting by Elder Larry R. Lawrence"
Entire talk...well worth the read:
It was the exact pep talk I needed:) This is what I shared with at the workshop from that article.........
In these last days, what the world really needs is courageous parenting from mothers and fathers who are not afraid to speak up and take a stand.
Imagine for a moment that your daughter was sitting on the railroad tracks and you heard the train whistle blowing. Would you warn her to get off the tracks? Or would you hesitate, worried that she might think you were being overprotective? If she ignored your warning, would you quickly move her to a safe place? Of course you would! Your love for your daughter would override all other considerations. You would value her life more than her temporary goodwill.
Challenges and temptations are coming at our teenagers with the speed and power of a freight train. As we are reminded in the family proclamation, parents are responsible for the protection of their children. That means spiritually as well as physically.
Also from the same talk...speaking to your teens about relationships & morality....
Parents can prevent a lot of heartache by teaching their children to postpone romantic relationships until the time comes when they are ready for marriage. Prematurely pairing off with a boyfriend or girlfriend is dangerous. Becoming a “couple” creates emotional intimacy, which too often leads to physical intimacy. Satan knows this sequence and uses it to his advantage. He will do whatever he can to keep young men from serving missions and to prevent temple marriages.
It is vital that parents have the courage to speak up and intervene before Satan succeeds. President Boyd K. Packer has taught that “when morality is involved, we have both the right and the obligation to raise a warning voice.”
It is vital that parents have the courage to speak up and intervene before Satan succeeds. President Boyd K. Packer has taught that “when morality is involved, we have both the right and the obligation to raise a warning voice.”
Often I feel overwhelmed at the task a head of us. Getting five children to adulthood alive and so other people can stand them, some days seems impossible. I am grateful that I am not alone in my task as a parent of teenagers. I have their Aunts & Uncles who love them and always are way cooler than me, YW leaders who remind me, that my girls are wonderful when I have forgotten that for just a second and my Superman who is the calm, rational one. I will survive and so will they....Right???
Is that the talk I'm thinking of....he talked about sleepovers? We LOVED it!
ReplyDeleteYes, you will survive - and you will tell me how you did it!! :)