Be Courageous and Un-Lazy......

I am behind in my posting.

I have several posts that I have started and never finished.

Thought I would pull one up and finish my thought 

before I forget it forever.

The kids have been pestering Kev and I for months to buy 

the PS3 game Call of Duty - Black Ops

I have said no repeatedly.

Over and over again.

It is rated M - for mature.

NO.

But mom, that is just for violence.

EXACTLY.

The language you can switch to a lower setting so there are

no swear words.

We will play it with no sound.......

etc. etc. etc.

I was sticking to my guns.....

until

Cousin Seth arrived.

He brought along with him a letter to Ethan

from my parents containing 

a congratulatory note for earning his Eagle,

and a $100.

I thought that was great...Ethan will  

be able to put half into paying off the remaining Eagle cost,

and he can use the rest for himself.

He of course had different ideas.

Now comes the onslaught of begging and pleading 

again for the game.

Ethan was going to pay for all of it, and then give me the 

extra like I had wanted for his Eagle Court of Honor.

Finally I was just like 

OK!!

....I guess its fine, but if you all start acting like freaks I 

am going to get rid of it so fast.........yeah, yeah.

I did not feel good about my decision.

At the store I felt uneasy.

Purchasing it I had second thoughts.

On the way out I had buyers remorse.

At home I was constantly making McCauley leave the room.

Finding something for her to do other than watch their game.

I was not happy with the game but just decided it was not that

big of a deal.

A day or two later Lawson had a friend over.

They immediately wanted to play that game.

The big boys were gone and finally it would be L's 

turn to give it a whirl.

I told them no.

They whined and moaned saying that his friend could 

play Halo, another war type game.

I said there was no way unless I got permission from his mom.

I called and spoke with her.

She said, well, in fact her boys were no longer

playing Halo, she had recently read an article

from conference that had changed her perspective on the games.

But she finished by saying,

Melissa, You know I trust your Judgement.

I have heard her words many times in my mind since then.

My answer was no.

It was not ok for her son to play that game.

Not on my watch.

So why was it ok for my own boys?

Could I seriously not stand up to the relentless peer pressure from

my own children?

Did I feel pressure because "all of the other kids get to play"?

Because other kids at church have it?

I wanted to get my hands on that article ASAP!

I cut and pasted my favorite parts,

you can click on it and get the whole talk.

Courageous Parenting

by : Larry R. Lawrence

The Young Men and Young Women Mutual theme for 2010 was taken from the book of Joshua. It begins, “Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid” (Joshua 1:9). This phrase from the scriptures would be a good theme for parents as well. In these last days, what the world really needs is courageous parenting from mothers and fathers who are not afraid to speak up and take a stand.

Imagine for a moment that your daughter was sitting on the railroad tracks and you heard the train whistle blowing. Would you warn her to get off the tracks? Or would you hesitate, worried that she might think you were being overprotective? If she ignored your warning, would you quickly move her to a safe place? Of course you would! Your love for your daughter would override all other considerations. You would value her life more than her temporary goodwill.

Challenges and temptations are coming at our teenagers with the speed and power of a freight train. As we are reminded in the family proclamation, parents are responsible for the protection of their children.¹ That means spiritually as well as physically.

Several years ago at general conference, Elder Joe J. Christensen reminded us that “parenting is not a popularity contest.” ² In the same spirit, Elder Robert D. Hales has observed, “Sometimes we are afraid of our children—afraid to counsel with them for fear of offending them.” ³

Young people understand more than we realize because they too have the gift of the Holy Ghost. They are trying to recognize the Spirit when He speaks, and they are watching our example. From us they learn to pay attention to their promptings—that if they “don’t feel good about something,” it’s best not to pursue it.

Courageous parenting does not always involve saying no. Parents also need courage to say yes to the counsel of modern-day prophets. Our Church leaders have counseled us to establish righteous patterns in our homes. Consider five fundamental practices that have the power to fortify our youth: family prayer, family scripture study, family home evening, family dinner together, and regular one-on-one interviews with each child.

It takes courage to gather children from whatever they’re doing and kneel together as a family. It takes courage to turn off the television and the computer and to guide your family through the pages of the scriptures every day. It takes courage to turn down other invitations on Monday night so that you can reserve that evening for your family. It takes courage and willpower to avoid overscheduling so that your family can be home for dinner.

Try to imagine what the rising generation could become if these five righteous patterns were practiced consistently in every home. Our young people could be like Helaman’s army: invincible (see Alma 57:25--26).

Parenting teenagers in the latter days is a very humbling assignment. Satan and his followers are striving to bring this generation down; the Lord is counting on valiant parents to bring them up. Parents, “Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid” (Joshua 1:9). I know that God hears and will answer your prayers. I testify that the Lord supports and blesses courageous parents. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

I have modified that quote for my own needs:

"Be strong and of good courage; be not afraid and un-lazy"

Sometimes it is so tempting to just say alright already!

I give.

But no, that is not how I am going to roll for my family.

The game is already gone.

I had a talk with the boys the very next day.

I admitted to my mistake.

I made clear that we will not be having an M rated game in our home.

There will be no compromising.

If it is not alright for the entire family to play,

then we will choose another game to enjoy.

There was some brief weeping and whaling.

Some gnashing of teeth, a shout or two of  

"You are ruining my life"!!

and then it was over.

The waters calmed and the kids picked another game.

All is well.

My conscience as a parent is redeemed.

I took the loss on the game, it was a small price to pay for 

the valuable lesson I learned from the experience.

I appreciated the good council from my friend.

.............................

Just today during sharing time I taught the 

primary children about listening to and following

the promptings of the Holy Ghost.

I look back over that experience and can recognize time and

again the promptings that were given to me.

The foreboding feeling. 

The uneasiness I mentioned. 

I won't always get a second chance to fix a bad decision.

I am grateful I was able to make this one right.

I hope I will do better in the future.

............................

Here is our June group for the temple.

I am loving these monthly visits with my sistas!

We will resume in August when I am home from Utah.