1. Dealing/Coping with Stress as a Family

            In times when tragedy strikes, it can be hard for the family to remain in one piece and for the family to be happy again. But we have so much control over the outcome. No we cannot always control the circumstances that we are put in, but we can control the outcomes and what we learn from them. It is important that we seek the right resources in times of trial and that we reflect on them positively and make sure we do all we can to learn from them. In one family a death of a child or parent could potentially shred the family into pieces. At the same time another family could take the situation, learn how to deal with it in a healthy manner, and come out stronger and more loving than ever before. We have all the control.

2. Purposes of Parenting

            So many people are unsure why they want to be parents. Or they don’t even know if they want to be parents. They are asking themselves what are the benefits of being a parent, what are the purposes? We are parents to learn, grow and understand. Parents will learn what true, unconditional love is. They will grow to be stronger and to learn more about themselves and how they deal with stresses. They will grow to understand our own Heavenly Father and start to grasp the concept of how much He loves us and how He feels about our own individuals journeys. We are on Earth the find and make families. We are here to procreate and to make eternal families. We are here to prepare us for becoming heavenly mothers and fathers ourselves. It is truly a gift to parent.

3. Moms Getting Educated

            We, as daughters of God, have an amazing privilege. We are able to give birth and to nurture our families. When mothers are educated and well rounded, they can educate and teach their own children. The mothers have a larger capacity to learn and grow with their children. And this even means improvement. Being a mother is a job and it is not easy. We have so many responsibilities, but I’m thankful that someday I can begin to teach my children what I learned and what I’ve experienced through getting an education. There is nothing wrong with having an intelligent woman raise little angels from above.

4. Time of and Number of Children We Have

            This was a hard concept for me to grasp. Some people want to have kids when they want and they have as many or as little as they want. I always thought that I could just choose whatever I wanted. But in Alma 37:37 is says that we need to take counsel in the Lord with all our doings. I need to make sure that I pray for when I should have children and how many I should have. Heavenly Father has plans for all of us and He most definitely has a plan for us when it comes to having children. Our spirit children are waiting for us, we shouldn’t keep them waiting any longer than we have to. It’s all in the Father’s will. 

Divorce is something that I have come to realize takes a lot of work to get to. It takes work to intentionally not try, to give up and put not effort. Divorce isn't just a conclusion that comes out of nowhere. I think that divorce happens when the couple is not trying. Marriage is a divine gift and we as LDS members have the wonderful opportunity to be with our spouse forever. I just believe that if we pray about the person we are considering marrying and we get the answer yes, that the marriage can and will work out if we work hard at it. Marriages will work out when both the spouses are trying. Divorce can be prevented. And it can be prevented through communications, honesty and hard work. 

What are the purposes of parenting? This is something that we talked about in class today. It was a really interesting subject to talk about. One of the purposes that we came up with was for parents to develop a large capacity to love. I don't have kids, but I know the love that I feel for my baby cousins, siblings, and children that I babysit for on a regular basis. I love them so much, and I can't believe that I could anyone more than I love them. The love that a parent feels for their child must be just so so powerful. But lets go over the purposes of parenting for both the parent and child

For the child they have to opportunity to:
Emotionally connect
Have a safe environment to grow and learn
Become socialized
Prepare for eternal life 

For the parent:
Learn to understand Heavenly Father
Learn to serve
Become selfless
Forced to encounter challenges and overcome them
Learn to love
Prepare for eternal life

There are so many great purposes to parenting and there are so many ways to parenting. But there are more effective ways of parenting than others. I know that my parents love me and that they really care for me. That had never been something that I was unsure about. There have been several things that I have been doubtful about and times when I was unsure, but NEVER did I question my parents love for me. NO family is perfect. Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said, "Perfection comes not in this life, but in the next." This is why I am thankful for the Atonement and that I have the chance to repent and be forgiven; this way I can grow into the parent that my Father in Heaven wants me to be. I am so thankful for the opportunity that I have to become a parent, that I have the opportunity to become more and more like my Heavenly Father and Savior everyday. Families have the privilege to be together forever, and I know that becoming a parent is a divine calling.