Family is a very important part of the LDS religion. We believe that families can be together forever. We also believe that it is important to have a family. LDS families tend to be slightly larger than average families, though this is not true in every case. We are instructed to have as many children as we can care for properly. Of course this number will differ for each individual.
My husband and I currently have three children, and I would like a fourth one eventually. I am amazed at the love that I feel for each of my children. They are each unique, with different personality traits and strengths. It can be overwhelming to consider everything that we are responsible for as parents. Not only do we need to feed them, clothe them and generally provide for them, but also we need to love them, nurture them and teach them.
Our children learn from our example and our interactions. Our children learn the gospel from seeing it lived in our homes. Our children learn about right and wrong from seeing the way that we behave. It is important to remember all the things that we can teach our children.
Being a part of a family helps to teach our children as well. They can learn responsibility as they complete chores and help to care for younger children. They learn to negotiate and to get along with others as they play with each other. They learn how to love and how to forgive by being part of a family.
I am the oldest of six children, and I learned a lot from being in my family. I learned how to care for younger children, how to clean properly, and how to cook. But more importantly I learned how to be a friend, how to teach a younger child and how to love. I am close to each of my sisters and brothers and I am grateful for the examples they are to me.
Related Articles:
The Blessing of Children