Defend the Family by Teaching Children about the Divine Roles of Mother and Father

The traditional family is under attack. Having children outside of marriage used to be taboo, but now it is commonplace and widely accepted. Staying home to care for home and children used to be an admirable career path for women, but now that career is under valued. Dignified, understanding and loving fathers used to be the television ideal, but now TV dads are often portrayed as stupid, lazy, and selfish. How do we defend the family and teach children to be caring and loving parents when the media distorts the ideal of a loving and supportive family?

I believe we do this by teaching our children about the divine roles of mothers and fathers. These roles are very different than the roles suggested on TV and in the media.

Listen to this simple, but beautiful song about families by Matthew Neeley. It's called, "The Family is of God."

We teach the divine roles of mother and father in our homes by example.

Bonnie Oscarson, President of the Young Women's organization for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, said:

[A] principle which calls for our defending voices is elevating the divine roles of mothers and fathers. We eagerly teach our children to aim high in this life. We want to make sure that our daughters know that they have the potential to achieve and be whatever they can imagine. We hope they will love learning, be educated, talented, and maybe even become the next Marie Curie or Eliza R. Snow.

. . . we also teach our sons and daughters there is no greater honor, no more elevated title, and no more important role in this life than that of mother or father. I would hope that as we encourage our children to reach for the very best in this life that we also teach them to honor and exalt the roles that mothers and fathers play in Heavenly Father's plan.

You can listen to or read the entire article here.

So, how can we teach our children about the divine roles of mother and father? Here are a few ideas. (None of us is a perfect parent. Especially me! These ideas are as much for me as they are for others!)

The Divine Role of Mothers

Our role is to nurture and strengthen our children. We teach and help them to develop good qualities and learn to serve in the home and the community.

Moms:

• Make yourself available to your children. Don't be afraid to drop what you are doing, let the laundry go unfinished for a while, and stop to listen to your kids. The kids need to know that you enjoy being with them and that they are more important than a TV program or a game on your phone.
• Make caring for your home important. Of course, your home doesn't have to be perfect. I'm doomed if that's the case! Take time to make your home a comfortable, clean, and safe place, and teach your children how to help take care of it.
• Make your home a place where it's okay for them to make mistakes, and then lovingly help them learn from those mistakes.
• Give children opportunities to serve others.
• Tell your children you love them and recognize the good things they do.
• Avoid complaining about the more mundane parts of motherhood in front of your children. Let them see that you enjoy being with them and serving them.
• Help your children recognize the difference between the relationships they see on TV and the relationships they share in your family.
• Treat your husband with love and respect and work as equal partners in raising your children.

The Divine Role of Fathers

The father's role is to provide and lead in love and righteousness. He teaches the children and helps them develop good qualities.

Dads:

• Work hard to provide for your family.
• Teach your children the value of hard work.
• Make yourself available to your children. Listen to them and play with them.
• Lead the family in prayer and in learning about God and his plan for his children.
• Keep your language clean and teach children that real men are respectful and kind.
• Treat your wife with love and respect and work as equal partners in raising your children.
• Tell your children you love them and recognize the good things they do.
• Make your home a place where it's okay to make mistakes, and discipline with love and compassion.
• Take time with each child. A monthly or weekly interview or date night with each child is a great way to learn what's going on in their lives and to keep communication open.

Mothers and Fathers are Partners

Though mothers and fathers have different roles, they work together equally -- as partners -- to raise their children.

Parents:

• Continue to date each other! Keep the relationship alive by spending time together.
• Let children see you working together.
• Pray together. Make the Lord a partner in your marriage and seek his guidance in decision making.
• Serve each other.
• Treat each other the way you hope your children's future spouses will treat them.

Thanks for stopping by today. I'd love to hear your thoughts. Please be respectful in your comments and responses to other people.

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