It’s a pleasant moment for any parent or guardian to find their child (or children) choosing to do something right. It is especially sweet when it’s the result of our own example and teaching. Too often parents allow school, television, or other leaders to help rear their children.
“The Lord has placed this duty with mothers and fathers. It is one from which we cannot escape and one that cannot be delegated. Others may help, but parents remain accountable. Therefore, we must guard the sanctity of our homes because that is where children develop their values, attitudes, and habits for everyday living” (M. Russell Ballard, “Teach the Children,” Ensign, May 1991).
It is in the home children gain their first insights into how we should treat one another. My little 1 1/2 year old mimics almost everything we do. At times this is quite funny. Other times it’s an eye-opener. It has certainly made me pay much more attention to how I treat my children.
“What a beautiful place this world will be when every father and mother see the importance of teaching their children the principles that will help them be happy and successful. Parents teach best when they lead by good example; govern their little ones with patience, kindness, and love unfeigned; and have the same spirit of love for children that Jesus exemplified” (M. Russell Ballard, “Teach the Children,” Ensign, May 1991).
At times our job as a parent can feel rather thankless. Therefore I am of the firm opinion we can give ourselves a mental pat on the back for a job well done, even while knowing our ‘job’ when it comes to children is far from finished.
One such experience happened to my husband and I around Halloween time.
A dear friend had given our kids some special Halloween treat bags. Each of these bags held a few snack bags of crackers, a pinwheel, as well as one of those paddles with a ball attached by elastic (for the life of me I can’t recall the name).
It didn’t take long before, one by one, the elastic on each of the paddles broke until our oldest was the only one with the ball still attached to the paddle. One night as she washed dishes for us, one of her brothers asked if he could play with her paddle. She said yes. Not even two minutes later he came to me, tears in his eyes, holding the (now) two separate pieces in his little hands.
I tried to comfort him, even offering to tell his sister what happened. “I think I need to tell her what I did,” he said. Before I could say another word he walked into the kitchen to tell his sister he had broken her toy. Dad and I listened from the living room. She was upset at first, but with a gentle, “I’m sorry” (and a few quick words from us) she easily forgave him.
To be completely honest we found ourselves incredibly surprised that our kids had actually learned one of the many lessons we, and their teachers, continually try to teach them. At times those who are in charge of children are never certain if their little ears truly hear what’s being said. I think Heavenly Father, in His infinite wisdom, knew we would need the occasional witness that all the effort we put into our kids is doing them some good.
Watching our son choose to tell the truth and our daughter choosing to forgive him was one of those moments for us.
I’m certainly not trying to brag here. The very next day this same sweet boy told us again and again, “Yes, I brushed my teeth” when we knew very well he hadn’t. We also witnessed our daughter stomping off into her room because she was, and I quote, “So sick and tired of my brothers following me everywhere!”
Sometimes you just have to take what you can get.
