Monday, March 9, 2009

I was in a "Time Out"

So I got invited to go to a Time Out For Women this last weekend. It was a short notice type of thing, but I think Heavenly father knew what I needed to hear! I have been thinking a lot about my children and if I have taught them what they need to know. Jason is turning twelve and has entered the puberty stage. It has been a struggle as he tries to gain his independence and yet he's not making the wisest choices. Don't get me wrong. He is a great kid, but just really seems to be struggling with anger and aggression (partly due to TESTOSTERONE!)
There was one talk that just slapped me right in the face!!!! It was given by Cheiko Okazaki...I hope I got the name right....
Here is a synopsis of what she said:
"Teach them correct principles and let them govern themselves" a quote by Joseph Smith.
1. What are correct principles?
A correct principle is one that doesn't hinder free-agency and shows an increase in love.
2. How do I teach the correct principle?
We must teach the correct principles by EXAMPLE!
3. How do I let them govern themselves?
If you have taught the princple, you need to let go and trust that they know it and then let them govern themselves. Sometimes we will need to reteach it and sometimes we will need to intervene, but we need to let the children make their mistakes and learn from the consequences. This is the hardest part.

She had some excellent examples. I have just boiled it down to the nitty-gritty of her talk, but how simple and beautiful. This is something I am going to be working on.

There were so many great talks. I wish I had time to share everything! I wish I had taken my journal so I could have written it all down....duh moment for me. :0)