A happy heart

I've been focusing all my attention on the bringing up of my children. Of course my kids are the focus of my universe, I am their mom afterall, but I've realized I'll never get a second chance so in the last year I've tried really had to simplify my life (which is not easy and really hard to say "no" to things that are just clutter).

It's really hard not to yell. It seems IMPOSSIBLE to not get frustrated. And, for a General like myself, at times I'm beside myself with frustration. It's really hard to take the time to explain and talk through responding to feelings. We've come up with things that we do as soon as we feel angry. We've come up with ways that we can talk about are feelings. Shoot, we've even talked about what feelings are. Yes, there is a child in our house that doesn't really understand all of that yet and therefore can't communicate their emotions like they would like. I will just say that it is truly, truly very humbling. It takes all of my emotional and physical energy. Infact, I have to have time to be by myself to just cry a little because I'm simply exhausted. But you know what I've found these last two months? There's a different feel in my house. We are all a little more intimate, a little more courteous, a little more happy and a bit more flexible. Here's some quotes I keep near my heart as I try to mold our young breed.

"Blessed are the flexible, for they shall not get bent out of shape."- Buck (you should watch the documentary)




"Discipline and encouragement, not discipline and discouragement"- Buck



Elder Nelson  on Disciplining your children




“By kindness, and pure knowledge, which shall greatly enlarge the soul without hypocrisy, and without guile—



“Reproving betimes with sharpness, when moved upon by the Holy Ghost; and then showing forth afterwards an

increase of love toward him whom thou hast reproved, lest he esteem thee to be his enemy.”20



When a child needs correction, you might ask yourself, “What can I say or do that would persuade him or her to

choose a better way?” When giving necessary correction, do it quietly, privately, lovingly, and not publicly.

If a rebuke is required, show an increase of love promptly so that seeds of resentment may not remain.

To be persuasive, your love must be sincere and your teachings based on divine doctrine and correct principles.



Do not try to control your children. Instead, listen to them, help them to learn the gospel,

inspire them, and lead them toward eternal life. You are God’s agents in the care of children

He has entrusted to you. Let His divine influence remain in your hearts as you teach and persuade.
 
And this quote is more for me personally but it fits in parenting too. I love this quote. It is my favorite.

Pres. Hinckely- "We know not all that lies ahead of us. We live in a world of uncertainty. For some, there will be great accomplishment. For others, disappointment. For some, much of rejoicing and gladness, good health, and gracious living. For others, perhaps sickness and a measure of sorrow. We do not know. But one thing we do know. Like the Polar Star in the heavens, regardless of what the future holds, there stands the Redeemer of the world, the Son of God, certain and sure as the anchor of our immortal lives. He is the rock of our salvation, our strength, our comfort, the very focus of our faith."