Sunday, July 8, 2012
Ward 4th of July Breakfast Wrap-up
We had a great turnout of at least 150 people (family, friends, members, and non-members) at the 4th of July Breakfast and Flag Raising Ceremony. Brother Kelly Messinger lead in a flag raising ceremomy and 3-Gun Salute. The High Priest Group cooked a fantastic breakfast; the food was plentiful and good! Many thanks to those in Relief Society who pitched in, arriving early to help set tables. We were told that the table settings looked nicer than they ever have! There were lots of less active and non-members who joined us for breakfast. The weather was perfect for the occasion and everyone seemed very pleased with the way the whole event turned out.
Sunday, July 1, 2012
Communicating to Our Children with Love
The Relief Society Presidency will periodically be teaching a lesson from an LDS resource guide entitled "Strengthening the Family". This month's presidency lesson was taught by Relief Society 2nd Counselor Nancy Anderson. Her lesson came from chapters entitled "Understanding Child Development" and "Communicating with Love".
In communicating with children, there are harmful communication practices and there are Christlike communication methods. It is harmful to lecture, preach, interrogate, placate, judge, condemn, threaten, blame, ridicule and criticize. It is harmful to talk about one's own feelings when a child needs to share his or her feelings.
In being Christlike in our means of communicating, we are slow to condemn, we forgive, we are compassionate, we are considerate of our family. We are willing to return good for evil, we are appreciative, eager to serve, and willing to sacrifice. Always look for the good in children. Listen to them, showing an interest and willingness to listen. Respond non-defensively when your child is upset at you. Clarify your expectations. Resolve problems that impair your ability to listen. Words and behavior have the power to hurt or to help, to inflict pain and suffering or to soothe painful feelings. Words and behavior can provoke doubt and fear, or instill faith and courage. As you master the way you communicate, you can exert a tremendously positive influence on your children.
Thank you, Sister Anderson, for a influential lesson that was relevant to all of the sisters in Relief Society. In attendance this Sunday were mothers, grandmothers, a great grandmother, aunts, teachers, and even a nanny. We all learned valuable lessons from your teachings and will take this information home as we strive to better understand childhood development and communicating to our children with love.
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| Sister Nancy Anderson teaching from "Strengthening the Family" |
There was a lot of class participation from the many mothers attending Relief Society on Sunday. Nancy walked us through the progression of developmental stages including Developing Independence (ages 1-3), Channeling Initiative (ages 3-6), Learning to be Industrious (ages 6-12), Seeking Independence and a Sense of Identity (ages 12-18). Having realistic expectations and paced progress should be guiding principles in the parenting/growth process. Get to know your children. Be available to listen and help when your children are willing to talk. Play with them. Show interest in what they do. Provide learning opportunities. Establish boundaries.
In communicating with children, there are harmful communication practices and there are Christlike communication methods. It is harmful to lecture, preach, interrogate, placate, judge, condemn, threaten, blame, ridicule and criticize. It is harmful to talk about one's own feelings when a child needs to share his or her feelings.
In being Christlike in our means of communicating, we are slow to condemn, we forgive, we are compassionate, we are considerate of our family. We are willing to return good for evil, we are appreciative, eager to serve, and willing to sacrifice. Always look for the good in children. Listen to them, showing an interest and willingness to listen. Respond non-defensively when your child is upset at you. Clarify your expectations. Resolve problems that impair your ability to listen. Words and behavior have the power to hurt or to help, to inflict pain and suffering or to soothe painful feelings. Words and behavior can provoke doubt and fear, or instill faith and courage. As you master the way you communicate, you can exert a tremendously positive influence on your children.
Thank you, Sister Anderson, for a influential lesson that was relevant to all of the sisters in Relief Society. In attendance this Sunday were mothers, grandmothers, a great grandmother, aunts, teachers, and even a nanny. We all learned valuable lessons from your teachings and will take this information home as we strive to better understand childhood development and communicating to our children with love.
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