divorced&blended families.

Did you know divorce is most common in the US? It has a lot to do with the fact that more people get married here. People dream of getting married. I don't think divorce is ever a part of those dreams. But the reality is it does happen. In fact, the average twelve year old lives four-hundred miles from their biological father. So what are parents to do when it does happen? I think a lot of it depends on the family, but it is not a matter that should be taken lightly in any form.
I've been thinking a lot about blended families. It made me think of my aunt, actually. She married a man, and they started a family. He turned out to not be a good man. They divorced, and she later married my now uncle. I've been told about their dating. My aunt didn't tell him off the back that she had children. She's ask him questions... one in particular was she asked him how many kids he wanted. He said two. She already had three! That's a joke in the family, and they later had three more kids together. But growing up, I did not know this. My uncle raised each of those kids like they were biologically his. That's amazing to me. I never knew! He is an amazing man. It reminds me of this music video we watched in class:

I commend people like my uncle, and my teacher, Brother Williams. These people are so admirable to me. Because as discussed in previous posts, it isn't the shared DNA that makes a person a parent. These men I know are true parents.

When parenting in blended families, the "new" parent should take time to bond and form a relationship with the new children in their life. Parents should remember to make the "2 years of normalcy" in their new joined family. The biological parent should be sure to be the heavy disciplinarian, while the step parent starts by taking on a similar role to that of an aunt or uncle. The beginning years in newly blended families are harder than any others. They are most crucial. But are also very highly rewarding.

parenting.

Sorry these blogs are becoming more personal... these more recent ones aren't all from the material we covered... but also from what I felt the Spirit teach me. I don't feel like that happens as often as it should. But oh my gosh, it's amazing when it does.
My Patriarchal Blessing blesses me to be a mother, one who raises my children in a home centered around the gospel of Jesus Christ. It warns me to live worthy of this trust.
For me, parenting is more spiritual than anything.
Being a parent isn't just giving birth. I don't think that qualifies you to be a parent. Being a parent is about loving, raising, rearing, protecting, providing, teaching, sacrificing, guiding, and the list goes on. It isn't for eighteen years. It is eternal. It is forever. As members of the church, that's what we "sign up" for: forever. What I don't think "parents" realize is the sacred responsibility they have to their children.
We talked in class about the strait and narrow path, as discussed in Lehi's dream. Notice it's spelled strait, not straight. However, both terms can be applied. But lets stick with strait.
Straight is more of a geographic term. It is indirect, but leads to somewhere. Straits can be considered very dangerous, but it is necessary because it also protects as you are brought to much opportunity. I'm sure the strait and narrow path is just straight. I'm sure there are bends and winds, that's why people get lost. That's why it's important to remember it's narrow, you can't stray too far.
When being a parent, remember guidance and Godhood. I think they coincide much more than we realize. Parents, protect your children. Prepare them to survive and thrive. Teach them in warmth and confidence. Put a lot more consideration in how you act as a parent. Never give up on yourself or a child. Teach them responsibility, or, response ability.
Teach your children to make choices, wise choices. Teach them, however, that choices have natural consequences. THese consequences are what ultimately teach them. Just remember to do this unless the consequences are too dangerous, too far in the future to teach, or if the consequences will affect others.
Parents must be wise. What more can I say than that?