Tag Archives: parent

So Your Child Wants to Stay Home Alone

If you have tweens in your family the topic of staying home without adult supervision may be one you discuss frequently. This isn’t the case in my home (yet), but deciding whether or not to allow her 10-year-old daughter to fend for herself is a hot topic at my best friend’s house. My two cents worth was a firm “no,” and my BFF agreed, but her number one child won’t let the issue go. In their case, the 10-year-old wants to be unsupervised in the afternoons during a 2-hour period between the time she gets dropped off by the school … Continue reading →

Are You Guilty of Hyper-Parenting?

As if we needed yet another label to slap on parents who are actively involved in their children’s lives… Introducing… the Hyper-Parent. No cape involved, just a well-used minivan that has accrued thousand of miles from carting kids to football, gymnastics, ballet, swimming, tennis, art, soccer, hockey, karate, piano, and foreign language classes. A decade ago these types of parents were considered “pushy” for over scheduling their offspring. But these days they’re considered “hyper,” though the definitions of each are quite similar. The criticism is pretty much the same too. Rather than applaud these moms and dads for taking an … Continue reading →

Are You a Teacher’s Worst Nightmare?

In Japan, they’re called “monster parents,” and now teachers there have a new way of dealing with them. You might know a few monster parents yourself. They’re hard not to notice. Typically, they are the moms and dads who are constantly complaining and making unreasonable demands on schools and teachers. Most of them are overbearing, pushy, and some of them go as far as threatening educators. But, instead of fighting back with their fists, teachers in Japan are taking a new training course to learn how to deal with these pushy parents without resorting to physical violence. Japan’s Ministry of … Continue reading →

A Thanksgiving to Remember

It will be a Thanksgiving to remember for the Reyes family this year. Despite the fact that they lost their home plus all of their belongings in the recent wildfires that scorched thousands of acres in Los Angeles County, mom Jan says the family will be counting their blessings tomorrow. Jan and the rest of her family, including her 7-year-old son Jonathan were able to escape the wind-blown blazes without suffering major injuries. That’s the good news. The bad news is that Jonathan, who has autism, lost every single one of his beloved Hot Wheels. The boy had reportedly spent … Continue reading →

What’s a Parent to Do?

How often do you think twice about allowing your child to ride his bike to a friend’s home, around the block, or to the corner store? On a typical day (you know, the one that includes doing the laundry with one hand, carrying a cranky baby in the other, loading the dishwasher with your left foot while balancing on the right, and using your teeth to mend a stuffed toy) I would guess the majority of parents are simply happy that at least one child has found something to pass the time… and isn’t it a shame he can’t take … Continue reading →

The Importance of a Parent

The family is an essential organization in the church. The role of parent is a vital role. When you are a parent you are responsible to teach and guide your children so that they can learn the truth. Then they can choose to take the path to Heavenly Father. It is important that you take the time each day to teach your children the gospel. Often you are teaching your children without realizing it through your actions. Here are five things to think about when interacting with your children. 1) Your children will learn from your actions. If you take … Continue reading →

Punctuality, Sacrament, and Small Kids

One of the first acting principles I learned when I joined the church was not a gospel principle; it was the concept of Mormon Standard Time. As a punctual person, the constant lateness grated on my nerves. It took me well over a year to adapt to the more laid back approach. I suppose the Lord must have decided I needed to learn patience! Now that I have three children, getting out the door for anything – especially church – seems to take major effort. And given the fact that most of the Sacrament meetings I have attended start five … Continue reading →

Creating a Learning Atmosphere

When it comes to the spiritual atmosphere in our home, we can create one that is either conducive to learning, or not. Some of the responsibility for such an atmosphere lies on us as parents; some of it lies on our children. As parents, we have a more direct role than an ordinary teacher in controlling what habits our children learn. When we work to create a learning atmosphere, and take the time to raise our kids in it, then they will also take the steps necessary to maintain that atmosphere. How We Can Contribute to a Learning Atmosphere In … Continue reading →

Creating A Learning-Centered Home

The primary responsibility for teaching our children lays not on the church and not on the schools but in our own homes. It is our role as parents to teach our children about the gospel and about our Savior. As I studied the section in the Teacher Development manual on creating a learning atmosphere, I saw a multitude of ways that we could apply these precepts not only in our wards and branches but in our homes. Because there were so many fantastic points, I’m going to break this down into a series over the remainder of the week. Today, … Continue reading →

Teaching Children Through Song

Over the years I have found that one of the most effective ways to teach children about the Bible or Biblical concepts is through song. There are many advantages to using songs as a way to help children learn about Biblical ideas. Songs are fun, exciting, and interesting to children. Singing is an engaging activity, both mentally and physically. Children can sing these songs just about anytime from riding to school or doing their chores. Songs also provide an easy way for children to remember Bible stories or Biblical things. Below I have listed just a few songs which can … Continue reading →