Step Families

We discussed divorce and step families this week in class. I actually come from a divorced family so I can relate in a number of ways. My parents divorced when I was just a baby, so i have grown up with just my mom and sister. My father remarried when I was around 13, and she had a son from a previous marriage. They had a child together so I have a half brother as well. I did not live with my dad and step mother so i did not have to deal with a number of the difficulties that come with a step family.
One thing that I am so sure of that would have been difficult for me growing up would be the disciple. Especially if my mom would have remarried but she never did.
Some guidelines for discipline:
- "not my mom/dad"
- it takes a least 2 years to reach normality
- biological parent needs to do the heavy parenting
- give support and warmth
- the couple needs to conference together

I can see how the couple conferencing together can be so very important. It is important that the couple is on the same page. They need to have the same rules for the house and the same ways to discipline. Especially when there is children from both parents. They need to act as one so children will not come between them.

Parenting

This week in class we discussed parenting. I think it is so important for parents to take the time to learn what is proper ways to parent their children and to really be aware of the effect they have on their children.
Here are a few reasons of why we parent that was discussed in class:
- microcosm of eternal life
- continue on to future generations
- practice of the godhead
- the children have the same genetics as the parents making it a bit easier to address their needs
- opportunity for constant, intimate teaching and learning

I really liked the discussion we had in focusing on the child's needs and not their behaviors. To really think about why the child is behaving the way they are as opposed to just think that there child is being crazy or ridiculous.
"You can never get enough of what you don't need, to satisfy what you do need." I really like this quote because it doesn't matter how hard you try to get these needs through other means like doing drugs you will never find the satisfaction you desire.

Here are some things that wise parents do:
- offer contact freely
      - within appropriate bounds
     - as accepted by the child
- teach to contribute
     - do chores, help around the home
     - young women, scouting, sports teams, etc.
     - alway encourage to help family
- encourage responsibility
     - choices that are age and situation appropriate
     - consequences to actions

I really see how important parenting really is. I definitely want to be a very active parent and learn the appropriate ways to handle children during different situations. I think it is great that we have these resources available to us. By practicing good parenting not only will the children grow and becoming better members of society but the family at a whole will improve and it will help to make a happier, healthier home.

Work and Finances

Work:
There are some really great lessons that we can learn from working together as a family. For example working together as a family can include working in the yard, or having a garden. Doing this together can benefit the family as a whole.
Some benefits of working as a family:
- cooperation
- learn to communicate with each other
- have better feelings and thoughts about family members
- become closer together
- learn to accommodate others
- value other family members more

Finances:
It is great to have a handle on finances. Finances play a really large part in families and having control over finances can help the entire family. It is said that a number of divorces come from financial problems. If we can understand finances better we can hopefully prevent divorce that might occur in the future. Having a control on ones finances can help you to have better control of your life in general.