I am taking a financial Management class and and also a parenting class, in conjunction with this class it has gotten me thinking a lot about what i can do to be a good financial role model. I feel that it is very important to be a good role model for our children because they will learn those traits from us, but only if we are actively practicing them. I know that it
is my responsibility to provide for their physical means, and I can do this through
budgeting and getting a good job that will allow me to provide for them. In My money
management class we have been working on a family budget and how to have enough
money for our needs. As I have done the assignments I have obtained the knowledge
that I will need to be able to budget effectively. As I budget I will be able to show
my children the importance of budgeting and saving up for things that you want and
using your money for things that you need. I will help them to develop this by teaching
them how to budget and giving them and allowance so that they can actively learn
and practice this principle. I also feel that being a good financial role model
means to know how to work hard. I will help my children to know this by working
hard myself and taking pride in the work that I do. Really the only thing that we
can do to teach our children and to be financial role models is to just do it. We
can say that we will do things but we will always find things that get in out ways.
The Only thing that will prevent that is to start making it a priority in our lives
now. I will be able to do this as I Make a conscientious effort to budget now and
actively make it a part of my money earning and money spending.
Marriage Means Family
Marriage is essential to an Eternal Family.
It helps to build bonds that will last through the generations.
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Friday, March 30, 2012
Family Relations...
When
you have children it is not just about us. We have obligations that supersede
our own desires and things that we want to accomplish. When children enter the
world we can no longer be selfish we need to stop thinking about ourselves and
focus on what is best for them. When we try and do what is best for our
children we can better teach them the important stuff that they really need to
know to be happy. When families are blended, through divorce and remarrying or
through adoption or other ways in which two units become one. It is important
to make everyone feel included, not just in blended families but also in
nuclear biological families. Once you become a family we need to treat everyone
like they are a member of the family. We never know when we may need their help
and if we don’t treat them very well how can we expect them to treat us very
well?
Adversity
is sometimes hard to deal with, that is one of the reasons the family is so
essential to our lives on this earth. When we need someone to talk to or a
shoulder to cry on, most of the time our families will be there. The majority
of our lives are spent at home with our families. It is where we are happy and
where we are able to learn the important things in our lives that will bless us
and help us to be happy. Sometimes we may not seem very happy or we may feel
upset at a family member. But remember you will be with your family forever. If
you can’t get along with them now, what makes you think eternity will be any
better?
The
relationships we form in this life will go with us to the next. Within our
families we have a source for love and support that cannot be found anywhere
else, our families teach us how to love and how to treat people, they treat us
how to communicate and how to socialize with those around us. Sometimes we may
hit a stumbling block with our families but in the long run we know that no
matter what they love us. There is nothing too hard in this life that cannot be
worked out with love and understanding. Harold B. Lee said "The most important
of the Lord's work you will ever do, will be within the walls of your own
home.” As you grow and start having families of your own make sure to always
keep them close to the Lord and what is right. As you do this you will be more
able to rear your children to what is right and to what they need to do to
return to God again someday.
The Family: A Proclamation to the World states, “The
family is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His
eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and
to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity.
Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the
teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established
and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness,
respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities.”
Monday, March 26, 2012
Fathers...
The Family Proclamation says that
a fathers responsibility to provide preside and protect his family. When I think
about that I think about the things in my life that either help me or prohibit
me from accomplishing this. My father is a great example to me of exemplifying the
“3 P’s”. Something that I really look up to my father for is his testimony. He
has an amazing testimony in the church and has never sacrificed that for
anything. I once asked my father “What are some of the most important
contributions you believe you make to your family through your role as a
father? He said, “There are a couple things, being a priesthood holder and
always being worthy to exercise my priesthood. The worthiness is important so
that I can have the companionship of the spirit and utilize the gifts of the spirit
that I have been given for my family. If you have a physical tangible thing,
like using the priesthood, then everything will fall into place.” Because of my
father and his willingness to exercise his priesthood I have gained a better
testimony of it and what it means in my life. When we have something we can use
in our lives that helps us to “win” and defeat Satan, like the priesthood, and
as we use it worthily we are become the men that our wives, mothers, sisters,
and daughters need us to be.
Monday, February 27, 2012
Love is the Reason
I feel that there are a lot of important things in the world, but none more important than the marriage relationship. Recently I have been thinking a lot about worldly physical things we esteem or hold in high priority. Some people may see their car as the most important thing in our life. When the car gets a dent or scratch we probably get extremely mad without regards to the other party. This may not just be with worldly possessions but also possibly with arguments and other trials that we go through. In my Family Relations class we discussed the word "Crisis", and how when we are in a crisis it is an opportunity for us to grow stronger and work on our family relationships. This topic really hit me this week. I had an opportunity this week to work on this. If you know me you know that a prized possession for me is my iPod Touch. Well this week it got broken... My wife was using it and tossed it onto the couch, something that I do all the time. This time however, it hit something on the couch and the screen cracked. I didn't notice it at first but I saw little pieces of glass on the couch and my first thought was that our camera broke or something. When I picked up my iPod and noticed that it was broken, my first thought was not that y wife was careless or that it was all her fault. It was that when she found out about it she would be so upset. I was so worried that she would be mad even though it wasn't even her iPod. When I told her what had happened I started off by saying that I loved her more than anything, she looked at me and asked what was wrong and I told her that my iPod broke when she tossed it onto the couch. She immediately started freaking out and crying and saying she was so sorry, but I just told her that it was okay, that it didn't matter because I love her more than my iPod.
I think this could apply to a lot of things in our lives. When someone in our family hurts us are we immediately thinking of a way to get revenge? Or are we realizing that it is okay and that we can forgive someone easily because we love them. Or are we making a bigger deal out of things that don't really matter? We should step back and take a look at what things really matter to us in our lives. Do we put such an importance on video games, movies, electronics, or other hobbies that we miss what is right in front of us? The gospel of Jesus Christ is plain and precious. It helps us and gives us the information we need to make informed decisions and realize what is important in our lives.
I think this could apply to a lot of things in our lives. When someone in our family hurts us are we immediately thinking of a way to get revenge? Or are we realizing that it is okay and that we can forgive someone easily because we love them. Or are we making a bigger deal out of things that don't really matter? We should step back and take a look at what things really matter to us in our lives. Do we put such an importance on video games, movies, electronics, or other hobbies that we miss what is right in front of us? The gospel of Jesus Christ is plain and precious. It helps us and gives us the information we need to make informed decisions and realize what is important in our lives.
Most Important
By Lola H. Houmes
The fingers started to dispute,
And each one took his stand
To prove himself to be the most
Important to the hand.
Now, Thumb was first to state his case:
He asked the others whether
They realized 'twas he alone
Who held them all together.
"That may be true," First Finger said,
"But living day by day
Calls for a true and faithful guide,
'Tis I who points the way."
Then Second Finger rose in turn
To prove that he was the best.
"Remember, I'm the tallest one,
And I protect the rest."
"It's long been true," Third Finger said,
"That I'm most worthy of
The highest honor, since I'm asked
To wear the ring of love."
Then Little Finger took his place
And told the others there
How useful was his smaller reach
When each one did his share.
And so they stopped their arguing,
For they could plainly see
That none is most important.
Now each serves happily.
We just simply need to understand that the relationships are the most important and nothing can take their place. Those relationships should be our utmost priority. We need to constantly be checking and making sure that we are are not replacing those important things with stuff that gives us momentary pleasure. The love that we have for others will last much longer if love is the reason for doing things.
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Communication in Marriage
“Marriage brings greater possibilities for
happiness than does any other human relationship. Yet some married couples fall
short of their full potential. They let their romance become rusty, take each
other for granted, allow other interests or clouds of neglect to obscure the
vision of what their marriage really could be. Marriages would be happier if
nurtured more carefully.”
~Elder Russell M. Nelson~
Marriage is an important step that we all may choose
to take. We make the necessary preparation to change our lives around and offer
our hearts to the person that we love. I believe that the most important aspect
of marriage is communication. By communication, I mean talking openly, not holding back your feelings, we should get to the point that we are more concerned with the other than with ourselves. We need to honor each other enough to realize that in the big scheme of things, we are not really all that important compared to the other person. When we work together to do what the other person needs a connection is formed and allows us to truly be happy.
Russell M. Nelson says in a talk entitled “Nurturing Marriage” and says, “Good communication includes taking time to plan together. Couples need private time to observe, to talk, and really listen to each other. They need to cooperate—helping each other as equal partners. They need to nurture their spiritual as well as physical intimacy. They should strive to elevate and motivate each other. Marital unity is sustained when goals are mutually understood. Good communication is also enhanced by prayer. To pray with specific mention of a spouse’s good deed (or need) nurtures a marriage.”
Russell M. Nelson says in a talk entitled “Nurturing Marriage” and says, “Good communication includes taking time to plan together. Couples need private time to observe, to talk, and really listen to each other. They need to cooperate—helping each other as equal partners. They need to nurture their spiritual as well as physical intimacy. They should strive to elevate and motivate each other. Marital unity is sustained when goals are mutually understood. Good communication is also enhanced by prayer. To pray with specific mention of a spouse’s good deed (or need) nurtures a marriage.”
As we communicate it is
important to realize that we are working together to build each other up. Discussing openly what is going on is extremely important. We should
not speak/communicate/discuss with anger, trying to point out flaws, we should be trying to figure out what
is going on and what needs to happen to be able to better communicate and work
on your relationship with your spouse.
Nurturing a marriage is
not just communication, Elder Nelson gave a few other things that help nurture
a marriage, and he said that it is important “to appreciate, to communicate, and to contemplate.” As we work on nurturing our
marriages it is important to just simply love each other. If we love each other
every problem that arises will seem insignificant.
Friday, January 27, 2012
Parenting
1.
Authoritarian
Parenting
In this style of parenting, children are expected to follow the strict rules established by the parents. Failure to follow such rules usually results in punishment. Authoritarian parents fail to explain the reasoning behind these rules.
In this style of parenting, children are expected to follow the strict rules established by the parents. Failure to follow such rules usually results in punishment. Authoritarian parents fail to explain the reasoning behind these rules.
2.
Authoritative
Parenting
Like authoritarian parents, those with an authoritative parenting style establish rules and guidelines that their children are expected to follow. However, this parenting style is much more democratic. Authoritative parents are responsive to their children and willing to listen to questions. When children fail to meet the expectations, these parents are more nurturing and forgiving rather than punishing.
Like authoritarian parents, those with an authoritative parenting style establish rules and guidelines that their children are expected to follow. However, this parenting style is much more democratic. Authoritative parents are responsive to their children and willing to listen to questions. When children fail to meet the expectations, these parents are more nurturing and forgiving rather than punishing.
3.
Permissive
Parenting
Permissive parents, sometimes referred to as indulgent parents, have very few demands to make of their children. These parents rarely discipline their children because they have relatively low expectations of maturity and self-control.
Permissive parents, sometimes referred to as indulgent parents, have very few demands to make of their children. These parents rarely discipline their children because they have relatively low expectations of maturity and self-control.
4.
Uninvolved
Parenting
An uninvolved parenting style is characterized by few demands, low responsiveness and little communication. While these parents fulfill the child's basic needs, they are generally detached from their child's life.
An uninvolved parenting style is characterized by few demands, low responsiveness and little communication. While these parents fulfill the child's basic needs, they are generally detached from their child's life.
We know that the Authoritative parenting style is more effective because it allows the children to learn what is right and what is wrong. This creates an opportunity for the children to learn and to grow in a way that helps them to know that their parents love them.
The LDS church created short commercials that show perfect examples of how the way we parent can affect our children. They show that it is okay to play with children and laugh and have fun with them. This time together really strengthens the family bond and helps to build trust within the family.
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
What is Family?
What is
the family? Wikipedia says, "In human context, a family is a group of
people affiliated by consanguinity, affinity, or co-residence. In most
societies it is the principal institution for the socialization of children.
Extended from the human "family unit" by biological-cultural
affinity, marriage, economy, culture, tradition, honor, and friendship are
concepts of family that are physical and metaphorical, or that grow
increasingly inclusive extending to community, village, city, region, nationhood,
global village and humanism. A family group consisting of a father, mother and
their children are called a nuclear family." Since when did the family
become so complicated? A family used to be a mother and father who were married
and might have a few kids and a dog or something. The family is being attacked
from all angles, which really complicates things. I am grateful for the
knowledge that I have and for the testimony of the family, which the church has
helped me to accomplish.
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