Suzie. I feel you. My little angel is only 15 months old, and already I am worried about whether or not I should home school her. My sister teaches kindergarten and has told me stories, she has already chosen not to have her children to go to public schools. There is so much garbage in the world. Every day I am faced with the "good shall be called evil, and evil shall be called good" senario. It is so frustrating cause I try to do the right thing for my family, but so many others think only of themselves and live for today. It ruins things for the rest of us. I grew up in a home that was too sheltered from the outside world, partly because my parents were very strict in the LDS faith, and partly because I grew up on military bases, far from a lot of the filth of city life. As a youth I determined the following things to help my children to be "safe" in this world.
A- familiarize children with the scriptures/gospel. we are reading the picture book verzion of the scriptures to our little one, she is becoming familiar with faces, and names at this point. There is a picture of Jesus, the temple, and Pres. Hinckley and his 2 counselors hanging on the wall. She knows them all by name. I cut pictures from old Ensign magazines and put them in a cheap photo album. She loves to flip through the book looking at pictures. It is never to early to start teaching the gospel.
B- Help them have a
testimony of their own. A testimony is grown through testing faith. Once children are old enough to pray, they can pray to know the truth of things. For Family Home Evening give the child an opportunity to bear their testimony. This helps to strengthen them. Bear your own testimony publicly and privately in front of them (this is something you can do even now with a little baby)
C- This goes partly with having a testimony- Help the child to know who they are. If a child understands what makes them who they are, then when they are teenage years they will not have to struggle as much as most teenagers struggle. For instance- girls may like to cook, or do crafts. boys may like sports or writing poetry. You can help them learn at an early age what they like to do and let them develop those talents. Help them to set goals for themselves. This gives them a sense of self.
D- Give them Independance/Responsibilty for their actions. My daughter climbed up onto the dining room chair about 2 weeks ago. At first I told her to get down from the chair. Then I realized if I try to keep her from getting into the chair, she is going to persist in trying to get into the chair. So I took her over to the chair, pulled it out enough for her to climb up and sit in it. I placed a plate of food in front of her and told her that the chair is made for sitting in, we can eat at the table or color at the table. But we are not allowed to stand in the chair. I have allowed her to sit in the chair- I gave her independance. She now sits there instead of her high chair. Giving a child independance allows for a sense of accomplishment. If they show signs of readiness for something, and you feel that they are at an appropraite age, then teach them about what it acceptable and not acceptable. Then allow them to venture. If they however are trying to do something that is dangerous or not age appropriate. Tell them why it is dangerous. Or that they have to wait until they are older and why. My daughter sees daddy eating popcorn. I tell her she can not have any till she has all of her teeth, because she may choke on it. I then give her a snack that she can eat. She is content and eats her snack.
As for the corruption of the world. Sadly it is only going to worsen. Christs coming is not too far distant. We and our children will be here to witness it. Focusing on getting ourselves and familes prepared is very important, as is helping those who are seeking help. Sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ is the way to help others. It can be shared as simply as giving a smile to a stranger. The gospel of Jesus Christ can change people, it brings hope to those who are seeking for understanding in a world of confusion. There are plenty of opportunities to help others. Visiting teaching is a great way of helping others. Helping the missionaries with those who are investigating the church. Talking to your next door neighbor, or the mother sitting next to you at the doctor's office. Most contact with people is a way of sharing the gospel. The gospel is all-encompassing. Any light or truth that is shared with others is sharing the gospel. It is difficult once a family starts blooming to remember that which is most important. We have been advised to go back to the basics. Prayer. Scripture study (including modern day revelation- IE Ensign- which can be read online
www.lds.org ) Family Home Evening. The basics is what will get us through all this. A great way to incorporate conference talks into our daily life is to read them or watch them (
www.byutv.org ) This gives opportunity for discussion on what was taught, and the opportunity for bearing of testimonies.
I hope all this helps you. And gives you hope for a bright future for your little one. As for reading the news. It's good to scan the news and be informed. Just don't get engulfed to the point you feel overwhelmed. I find myslef reading an uplifting scripture after reading the news to keep up my good cheer.
Making the world a better place
Linear Mode
