Values are not internalized by children if we only verbally teach them. Values are "caught" by children as they see us live them in quiet ways, as we bear testimony of our belief and as we spend time with each child individually so they can feel our love for them. Paraphrasing a comment made by Elder Holland as he was speaking to a group of missionaries about their investigators and changing it to a parent child relationship...he said, "Everything in the conversion process must happen to you (the parent) before it happens to them (your child).
If you want your (child) to pray more diligently then you pray more diligently.
If you want your (child) to read the scriptures more then you read the scriptures more.
If you want the (child) to repent then you repent.
If you want your (child) to be more committed then you be more committed."
Parenting is:
Faith: the positive attitude to teach our children correct principles
Hope: the BELIEF that they will respond
Charity: all our parenting done with unconditional love for the child
Humility: knowing that we cannot do it alone---seek daily help from our Father in Heaven.
This week see what values your children are "catching" from you. The class notes from this week will be the specifics of how to teach our children values. Sister Tanner
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