Recently, I’ve heard many talks and lessons about how to strengthen the family. And invariably, most of what I have heard focuses on what we can do as mothers to strengthen our children. Any discussion is usually on what and how to teach our children certain principles.
But I think that we limit ourselves by focusing so narrowly on strengthening our own families, not to mention possibly excluding those women who do not have children at all. Elder Hales has said, “Strengthening families is our sacred duty as parents, children, extended family members, leaders, teachers, and individual members of the Church” (Robert D. Hales, “Strengthening Families: Our Sacred Duty,” Ensign, May 1999, 32). He continues by saying, “What if you are single or have not been blessed with children? Do you need to be concerned about the counsel regarding families? Yes. It is something we all need to learn in earth life. , acceptance, and love to their families and the families of those around them.”
With that in mind, I’ve come up with a few ideas on how we as women can strengthen families.
1. Strengthen Mothers. A mother is the heart of the home and bears the heavy burden of parenting 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, with no weekends off and few holidays. If we can strengthen a mother, she can turn around and provide the love and service that her family needs. If we can strengthen a mother, she can strengthen her children and family.
Being a friend is a wonderful way to strengthen a mother. You can be someone that she can turn to for support and love when she is feeling inadequate and overwhelmed or facing difficult issues. You can listen to her, encourage her, and help her remember her self-worth.
Easing her burdens, even momentarily, is another great way to strengthen mothers. Could you take her children for a few hours so she could take a nap or read her scriptures in peace or do a project that she never has time for? Maybe you could go over to her home and help her clean her kitchen or get ready for the holidays. How about making a nice dinner (or even just ordering a pizza!) for her so that one evening she can concentrate a little bit better on talking to her husband or helping children with homework?
2. Strengthen Couples. The couple is the foundation of the family. If the couple has a strong and vital marriage, then they will be better able to face life’s challenges and be a support to each other and their children.
If the couple has children, offering to babysit is a great way to help them get out for a few hours and reconnect as husband and wife and not just mom and dad! Many younger couples especially really struggle with finances. Perhaps you could anonymously send them tickets to a local movie theater or make them aware of free entertainment coming up soon. Or you could invite them over for dinner and some games.
3. Strengthen Children. We as women have a special role as nurturers. Take the time to get to know a child’s name and what he or she likes and dislikes. Find moments to have a conversation and let the child know that you care about them. Notice the good things they do and compliment them on their accomplishments. Tell their parents, too! A great way to strengthen families is by reporting back to the parents when you have witnessed their children doing something kind. We have the opportunity to be a special adult friend in the life of a child. In that role, we can support the parents in teaching and exemplifying Christ-like behavior and principles. We can enforce the child’s feelings of self-worth.
4. Strengthen Families. The family is ordained of God and is the fundamental unit of society. Think back over your life and how you have been touched by those not immediately in your own family. The teacher who had just the right words of encouragement at a critical time. A church leader that you went to when you didn’t feel like you could approach your own parents. The parents of a friend who adopted you into their home and family. I’m sure that if we take a moment to look outside of our own homes, we will find a family or two to focus our energies on. It may not be a particularly “needy” family. All families have a need to be strengthened greater than what they are now. We all have potential for improvement. Through prayer and faith, a loving Heavenly Father will guide us as to how we can best serve and strengthen a family. If you are unable to think of any other way to support, sustain and help a family, there are organizations out there that could use volunteers. Maybe you could help out at a women’s and children’s shelter or donate a present or two to needy families at Christmas time. In whatever ways we are able to, we have a responsibility to our world and our God do all within our power to strengthen the family.
