It is important to take the time to protect your family. This can take on several different meaning depending on the type of protecting you may think your family needs. One of the most important ways to protect your family is help the members to stay close to each other. This is essential in building a strong family unit, and in providing support for each family member as he may face his struggles throughout his life. The family is the basic unit of the church, and as parents we have a strong responsibility to protect our families. Here are five things you can do as a family to remain close.
1) Work on your marriage. Your marriage is the foundation of your family. If it crumbles, then it is much more difficult to hold everything together. Take time as a couple to plan your family activities together, take time to date, and to talk. Work on staying in love with each other. If you study the gospel together this will helps as well.
2) Spend time with your family. The closest families that I know spent a lot of time with their families. Some of it was time spent having fun, but a lot of it was working together. This could be in a garden or with chores around the house. You may want to schedule a specific time of the week that you have a fun family activity together (not counting family home evening).
3) Follow the church’s counsel and have family home evening and family scripture study. These activities will help your children to be closer to each other. It will give you a chance to build family unity. There are many important promises that accompany this counsel.
4) Make sure that your home is one where your children feel loved, encouraged and respected. Help your children to treat their brothers and sisters this way as well. A happy family is more likely to stay in touch. A peaceful home environment will help you to achieve a happy family.
5) Eat dinner as a family. This will give you time each day to talk and get to know each other. You can ask each of the children about their day, or you may ask a random question and let each child answer in turn. Take the time to generate conversations. This will help you to stay connected with each other.
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Benefits of Family Scripture Study
Family Home Evening and Scripture Study Roadblocks