Seminary Graduation

In the Book of Mormon there is a scripture that has been a favorite and is often quoted from memory in our family.  It is found in Alma 37:35

"Oh remember my son, and learn wisdom in thy youth, yea learn in thy youth to keep the commandments of God."

Seminary is a program of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints that began over 100 years ago.  It is specifically designed for youth ages 14 to 18.  Students meet daily or every other day with enthusiastic, knowledgeable teachers to study the scriptures.  Each year a different portion of the scriptures is covered; Book of Mormon, Old Testament, New Testament and the Doctrine and Covenants. 

As our youth have participated in seminary I have felt that it is an inspired program.  Our youth need to have opportunities during the week to study the gospel and feel of the Lord's spirit.  And it is inspiring for them to be learning with other youth who want the same in their lives.

In October of 1977, Boyd K Packer was addressing a group of Church Educational System educators.  This was over thirty years ago and his words continue to be true today.

“In the history of the Church there is no better illustration of the prophetic preparation of this people than the beginnings of the seminary and institute program. These programs were started when they were nice but were not critically needed. They were granted a season to flourish and to grow into a bulwark for the Church. They now become a godsend for the salvation of modern Israel in a most challenging hour.”

This past week, our son, Benjamin graduated from  seminary.  I am so proud of him, and grateful for the wonderful teachers he has had over the last four years.  I know that the things he has learned will help him to be a better missionary.  They will bless him as he studies at university.  They will bless him as he marries and starts a family.  Their effects will trickle down and bless his posterity to come.
 

Mommy's Little Helper

Recently I've been struggling with getting my dishes done.  I have a dishwasher.  I even have lots of children to help with our mountains of dirty dishes.  But we also have a sweet little one year old that wants to help as well.  Our dishwasher beeps every time it is opened and closed.  When David hears the beep he crawls as fast as he possibly can, from wherever he is, toward the dishwasher.  He is fascinated by the dishwasher.  Once I've removed the clean sharp knives from the utensil rack I have no problem with him standing at the dishwasher "helping."  He loves to play in the little bits of warm clean water clinging to the open door of the dishwasher.  He loves to pull out plastic bowls and plates as fast as he can and fling them to the floor.  It is a race between him and me.  I pull the glassware out of the bottom rack as fast as I possibly can so that he cannot get his little hands on it.  He laughs mischievously as he grabs a glass cup before I can get to it.  When I turn my back to put something in the cupboard, he is climbing into the dishwasher.  It is adorable!!!

But when it is time to load the dishwasher he wants to be there as well.  I'm sure that the dirty forks and spoons from breakfast are loaded with "flavor" and those are what he goes after first thing.  I find I am constantly looking for times of the day when he is busy with a brother or sister, or napping, so that I can finally load the dishwasher.  I find myself saying to the other children, "Don't worry about loading your dishes right now.  David is right there."  Now that is something I never ever thought I would say to a child.  Instead I find myself saying, "Please, just hold him back for two seconds so that I can get these dirty dishes in." 

Now, just to set the record straight…I am definitely not complaining, because I know that before another year is through, David will actually be capable of helping with the chore.  I keep a bottom drawer in my kitchen strictly for children's plastic cups, bowls and plates.  The first chore that my children learn to do is to put the clean plastic dishes from the dishwasher into this drawer.  I welcome this stage with open arms.  Little ones are absolutely delighted to be able to help in such a big kid way.  I want to encourage it in every way possible.

Sophia is now 3 and can put away the plastics now.  She also knows where to put the measuring cups and spoons, cutting boards, and large cooking utensils like wooden spoons and spatulas.  If you were to look in my kitchen drawers you would either think that I am a terribly disorganized woman, or you would assume that my little children help in the kitchen.  If you chose the second option you would be right.  Occasionally my drawers get organized properly by myself or an older child, but usually they look like a 3 year old has helped.  And I am proud of that fact!  I want to instill in Sophie at this young age that her help is needed and appreciated in our family. 
 
This quote from President David O McKay sums up what we should strive to teach our children regarding work.

"Let us realize that the privilege to work is a gift, that power to work is a blessing, and that love of work is success." (Pathways to Happiness [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1957], p. 381)

Lessons Our Children Teach Us

 

On our recent trip to Disneyland we found a hotel where we could get two adjoining rooms that accommodated our family quite well.  On our last morning Jerry and I packed up the food and belongings for ourselves and the little ones in our room, while the children picked up and packed in the adjoining room.  Shortly before we were to leave, I walked into the other room to look for items under the beds, in the bathroom, and in the drawers, that might have been missed.  I noticed a nicely folded blanket on one of the beds, as well as a mountain of wet, but nicely folded towels.  On top of each pile was a note.  I smiled as I read them, then took a couple of quick pictures to save a sweet memory.  My daughters are wonderful examples to me of gratitude and service toward others.

Potty Training - the Disney Way

I've never been excited about potty training. When Brandon (turning 22 years old this coming week) turned two and people started asking me if I was potty training him, I figured it must be time to start.  I picked up the book, "Potty training in less than a day" from the library, armed myself with snacks and drinks and a fun sticker chart, got a babysitter for Kyle for the morning and decided to give it a go.  By noon, both he and I were done.  I felt like crying, he was not enjoying being confined to the kitchen despite all my fun snacks and enthusiasm, and I was frustrated that my careful reading of the book had not yielded the desired results.  That experience put a bad taste in my mouth for potty training that I've never really been able to get rid of.

However, I have figured out what works best for me when it comes to potty training.  It’s the same answer that I have found works for almost every parenting, mothering and other family related question.  And that is, listen to advice from others, but above all else, listen to the spirit.  I love to read books and blogs and web sites and to pick the brains of other Moms who've experienced things I am going through.  But when it comes down to deciding exactly what is best for my family, I listen to the spirit.  There is a scripture that tells us to "study out in our mind" and then ask God what we should do.  I testify that in mothering…this really works.

I  potty train in a very relaxed, child led way.  I have never, since that first miserable experience, tried to do it in a day.  Instead, it is a gradual experience over a number of months, culminating in a week or so of more focused practice.    I watch for clues in my child that she is ready.  Can she pull her pants up and down?  Is she able to sit still and relax long enough to "let the pee come?"  Is she interested?  Does she hate having a dirty diaper?  Does she walk off to "do her business?"  These readiness signs are not rocket science.  They are found in almost every potty training book.  Mostly, I wait for my child to be willing and ready.  I want my child to want to be potty trained.  I have no desire to force it when she is not ready. 

I have a portable potty chair.  I also have a small seat that sits on a regular toilet seat.  I prefer to teach my little ones to use a regular toilet as it makes it much easier when we are out and about.  But at the same time, I let the child choose which potty to use each time.  I get the potty chairs out and let the child get used to seeing them, asking occasionally if she wants to sit down on one.  Usually, the first time a child is successful, it catches her by surprise.  We make a huge deal of it and call Grandma and anyone else who we think might be interested.  It is often a long time before the child goes again.  But that is ok.  She remembers her success, continues to watch and learn as older siblings and parents use the potty, and someday she will be ready to try again.

Sophia recently turned 3 and has had quite a few experiences being successful on the potty, but has not been excited to begin using it all the time and even the promise of big girl underwear has not been incentive for her.  And as a busy Mom of 9, who doesn't get all that excited about potty training another child herself, I'm afraid I haven't made it much of a priority either. 

Potty training takes some focus on my part.  I need to not be too busy with projects or running around too many places.  It takes a few days of just staying at home.  Heavenly Father usually prompts me as to when it would be a good time for me to "potty train."  It is as important that the time is right for me, as it is for the time to be right for my child.  Until last week it just never seemed like the right time.  The right time kind of caught me by surprise.  It happened on our recent trip………

You know you are a busy Mom when it is easier to potty train your little one on vacation than when you are at home.  We returned just last weekend from a magical trip to Disneyland.  I was surprised to find, that Sophia, resistant to using the potty at home, thought that the public bathrooms at Disneyland were great fun.  Every couple of hours found us searching out a restroom for someone or other, and she decided that going in with Mom was preferable to sitting in the stroller with whoever was staying out with the baby. And that consistency was just what she needed to make using the potty a habit.   She used the big potty regularly throughout our trip.  When we got home she continued using the potty and staying dry most of the time.  Today we made the long awaited trip to the store to let her pick out her own big girl underwear.  Of course, she wanted "Minnie Mouse."  Another few days and I think we will have conquered potty training with yet another child.  "Yippee!!" 

Sophia told me today that she will give all of her diapers to David.  So generous of her, don't you think?