Some say that children should come with little instruction manuals tied to their wrist when they’re born. Something that would tell parents how to raise a particular child so that they become a happy, productive, well-adjusted adult in the end. Without costing us our sanity in the mean time. 
Not me. I firmly believe that children should be born with a warning label tattooed on their cute little bums. Something like: “Caution. They may look cute now, but watch out when they learn to use words like ‘no’ and ‘why’. Eventually they’ll embarrass you in public, keep you up all night, take advantage of your generosity, and take control of the car keys, the phone and the fridge. One moment they’ll break your heart, then the next it will burst with joy…” I could go on and on, but that wouldn’t all fit would it? I guess “Caution” would be enough.
Parenthood is a tough road, but it’s also one of the greatest blessings Heavenly Father can give us. So what do we do with these little bundles of joy He’s placed in our care? What is our role as disciples of Christ when it comes to our children? Fortunately, discipleship comes with a special knowledge: we are not left alone to raise our children. We have an instruction manual, a mentor, and a surveillance system all at our disposal if we choose to take advantage of them. Read the instruction manual. When we absorb ourselves daily in the scriptures, the words of God have a chance to imprint themselves on our hearts. His will, His instructions, can lead us through the most difficult paths. Even parenthood. Sometimes the answers are directly given, like:
“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6
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“And ye will not suffer your children that they go hungry, or naked; neither will ye suffer that they transgress the laws of God, and fight and quarrel one with another, and serve the devil, who is the master of sin, or who is the devil spirit which hath been spoken of by our fathers, he being an enemy to all righteousness. But ye will teach them to walk in the ways of truth and soberness; ye will teach them to love one another, and to serve one another.” Mosiah 4:14-15
Sometimes their a little more general, like:
“Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;” 1 Thessalonians 1:3
— and —
“Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:” James 1:19
They may not specifically say, “Jimmy would do better in karate than basketball” but, they will tell you how to decide.
“But, behold, I say unto you, that you must study it out in your mind; then you must cask me if it be right, and if it is right I will cause that your bosom shall burn within you; therefore, you shall feel that it is right. But if it be not right you shall have no such feelings, but you shall have a stupor of thought that shall cause you to forget the thing which is wrong…” Doctrine and Covenants 9:8-9
Learn from the example of the teacher. As with everything, Jesus Christ is our perfect example. The more we become like Him and try to emulate His actions they closer we become to Him and to those we love.
“Verily, verily, I say unto you, this is my gospel; and ye know the things that ye must do in my church; for the works which ye have seen me do that shall ye also do; for that which ye have seen me do even that shall ye do.” 3 Nephi 27:21
Listen to the Spirit for daily updates. When we are trying our best: learning from God’s words, learning from Christ’s life and love, praying and developing our relationship with our eternal Heavenly Father and our Elder Brother, Jesus Christ, we open our hearts to the presence of the Holy Ghost. We are entitled to his guidance and inspiration from day to day and moment to moment. He comforts, He teaches, He warns, He inspires, He leads us (and those we love) to Christ.
“Whoso receiveth you, there I will be also, for I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up.” Doctrine and Covenants 84:88
Does that mean we’ll have perfect children? Not at all. Just like us, they have agency. Just like us they can choose Christ or not. Even when they are trying their best, they’ll still make mistakes. Just like us.
