We have recently started doing Family Home Evening. I was surprised (although I shouldn’t be) at how much my 4 year old just loved it. When you have young families, it is hard to get excited about family home evening. We know that it is a promise from our leaders that if we hold these special family “meetings” each week, that it will keep our family close together.
Our family home evenings are very simple. We have a 4 year old and a 2 year old. The favorite part so far is leading the music. Even our two year old stands up in the front while my husband and I sing and leads the music. They have the biggest smiles on their faces. They usually do it together.
We say a prayer after that. Lately, we have been trying to keep it simple because the attention span of both children is pretty short. Reading a story out of the friend, and talking about the principles found there is usually what we do for a lesson. The friend is great because the stories are short, and they always teach a lesson that kids can benefit from. Even our perpetually squirmy two year old will sit still and listen for a while.
After the lesson, we have another song (just because they like that part so much) and then a prayer. The whole FHE is over in about 15 minutes or so. Then, we move on to the games.
“Red Light, Green Light” and “Simon Says” are the two favorites right now. You can also sit down a play a board game with your child like Memory, Go Fish, or Candyland. Doing puzzles is a great activity for small children as well.
After our first official family home evening, my daughter has kept asking me if it is Monday. I know that she feels that togetherness that we have when we sit still for a moment, and give our total attention to her and my son. That is a feeling that I hope that she will treasure and remember throughout her life as we continue FHE. It is difficult when the kids are small. They may not get much out of a lesson or scripture, but they will remember one thing. They will remember that feeling of love. They will remember that we sat down with her and taught. They will remember that they are part of a family that loves them unconditionally, not matter what life brings.
I look forward to FHE as my kids get older. I can’t wait to hear more from them, have an opportunity to teach them gospel principles, and feel that love every week.
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