Elder Larry R. Lawrence - Courageous Parenting

This talk is from my past Stake President, this was the counsel we received many years ago when my oldest was 11 years old. (she now is 25) President Lawrence and his wonderful wife held a fireside for Parents with children under the age of 12. The words rang so true to me, we had already had two bad experiences with our oldest daughter staying the night at others years before and had already made the decision not to do sleep overs.

I knew what he was saying that night was right and it was wonderful to hear it. Donny and I as parents took this counsel to heart. We faced much opposition through out the years, even from our extended family. But I knew may first and primary concern was the health and well being of my children.

My nine children now range in age 5 to 25, two of them are married.

It is still a battle at times, but now the world has heard it and I hope we will all support each other.

Thank you Elder Lawrence

Motherhood: An Eternal Partnership with God

Building Self-Esteem in Our Children and Ourselves

I watched a great talk today from; Brad Wilcox - Building Self-Esteem in Our Children and Ourselves 

Here are some suggestions that can be easily remembered by thinking about the

 letters of the word P-A-R-E-N-T-S.

P - stands for Praise
A - stands for Accept
R - stands for Respect
E - stands for Encourage
N - stands for Notice
T - stands for Time
S - stands for Say

Here is a copy of the transcript 

I am a Grandma - How did this happen?

Time is a very funny thing, as you are trying each day to get it all together you turn and see that your children have grown. How did that happen? Did I do all I could to teach them, love them, prepare them. It can be a heart wrenching thought and at the same time wonderful. I still think of myself as young, that young mother of many children. The truth is I am not as young as I was and my children are growing into amazing people.


You celebrate each milestone, each birthday, holiday, each year in school, learning to drive, the first date, and soon there comes someone into their life, you can tell. You see them getting closer, making memories between them; they want to share their life with that person. Weddings to celebrate their coming together as one, a new phase of life for them and you.

There is a natural pattern to life the desire to have a child becomes very strong. What a miracle it is to bring two people together to create a baby, a new life. After suffering a miscarriage Ashley struggled to get pregnant again. That underlying fear, is everything okay? Then came the joyous news, she was pregnant again. Each day hoping all will go well. The illness, hearing the heart beat for the first time, and that first flutter of movement. It's going to be a girl. As we watched Ashley get bigger our anticipation grew, Mele'ane will be here name. She was born after all very long day of labor at a little after 9:00 pm on March 25th, its Sierra’s 16th birthday, a niece for her birthday.

Donny and I are Grandparents! Holding that sweet little person in my arms so fresh and new from Our Father in Heaven was truly a tender mercy of God. How did this happen, time has moved so quickly. Too fast and yet life in its plan continues. Five generations of women living. This woman, feeling so inadequate at times feels the love of My Father, confirming to me he is there and is aware of me.

The growing belly

Before all the hard work

So Cute!

Yes, they were all there

The new family

Grandma

Grandpa

Mel'ane

Dad & Mom - Joy!

This is the next day, now my birthday.

I am a Grandma!!

Nothing like a mother's love!

Great Ideas - "Spider Spray" & Lemon Scented Pledge Trick

This was my post on Facebook - what to do with my little one having anxiety attacks about spiders in the middle of the night. :-(

Lisa - Anxiety about creepy critters?....hmm, that hits really close to home.            

Keri - It's a normal fear to have. Maybe give her a night light (spiders tend to come out in the dark, after all), let her vacuum her room before she goes to bed (that will get boring quick), and just reassure her that we all go to sleep and wake up every day without horrible spider accidents occurring during the night.

Cortney - "monster spray" or in your case "spider spray" We took a squirt bottle and filled it up with water and put a cute little "monster spray" sticker on it. Any time she was scared there was a monster, she would spray it. I am happy to say that our house is now monster free!! (this will help with the anxiety attacks)

Amy said...

I am dealing with the same problem, and have been looking for organic ways to get rid of spiders (with a little one and being pregnant we don't want to spray). I read that lemon scented Pledge works miracles. Put it in the entryways of your house and since spiders taste through their legs, they will soon disappear from your house because they hate it so much. Good luck! (but this will help the real problem)

Thank you Amy!!

'Whenever you're in trouble'

I was at this concert, I cried when Donny sang this song.

A Very Helpful Book!!

Because one style of parenting doesn't work for all children. (or we would just get a how-to book when they are born). This book was recommended to us by a therapist, remember I have nine children 24-4, we found it very helpful and I wished we had had it sooner.

1-2-3 Magic for Christian Parents:
Effective Discipline for Children 2-12

The book is divided into three steps. First you learn how to control obnoxious behavior. Second you learn seven methods for encouraging appropriate and positive behavior. Finally you lean how to maintain healthy relationships.

This program is simple, effective, and can be implemented immediately. Addressing everything from homework and chores to more serious tantrums and fighting, this guide teaches parents to take charge-yet refrain from any physical discipline or yelling-leading to happier parents, better behaved children, and a more peaceful home environment.

Despite the title, there is really no magic, but instead precise tools in helping parents to resolve their children's discipline issues.