Ten Ways to Spend Time With Your Children

I just came across this list of 10 ways to spend time with your children and thought it was wonderful. I have really been enjoying spending time with my little boy lately. I have always enjoyed it but recently I have been noticing the wonderful example that my little boy is, how much I can learn from him, and how much fun it is being a mom.

Here are a few of my recent fun, fulfilling, and wonderful Mommy Moments -

So one day just before lunch my little boy and I came across President Monson speaking on KBYU. He loves and knows all of the Apostles and Prophets so he got excited. We had it on for a minute or two and then I turned it off so we could have lunch. My little boy started to follow me into the kitchen and then turned around and I didn't think a thing of it. I started to get lunch ready and then decided to check on Luke and this was what I found. He had turned the TV back on and was sitting on the couch watching our Prophet, President Monson speak. It was so cute. What a good example my one year old is.

Our Fun Experience with Prayer - During the last few months we have been working on teaching our little boy how to pray. At first it started out in having him repeat the words we say. Now it has turned into a wonderful list of thanking. I am amazed of the things he thinks to give thanks for...his list of thanks always starts off with toys, colors (this is what he calls crayons and coloring pencils), and paper and then the list varies each time from things like Mommy and Daddy to fans, books, the temple, suckers, car, house, etc. Now even when it is not his turn to pray he will recognize when it is time to give thanks and will start listing off the things he is grateful for. I love to hear the things that he thinks of. He tends to notice the simple things that we tend to forget. He says the best prayers ever. Seeing the fruits that have come from the time spent teaching my son is so fulfilling.

Enjoy this great list of things to do with your children! I know that if we follow his cousel we will grow, our children will grow, and we will have so many great Mommy Moments.

Ten Ways to Spend Time
With Your Children
by President Ezra Taft Benson

BE AT THE CROSSROADS. First, take time to always be at the crossroads when your children are either coming or going -- when they leave and return from school, when they leave and return from dates, when they bring friends home. Be there at the crossroads whether your children are six or sixteen.

BE A REAL FRIEND. Second, mothers, take time to be a real friend to your children.

READ TO YOUR CHILDREN. Third, mothers, take time to read to your children. Starting from the cradle, read to your sons and daughters.

HAVE WEEKLY HOME EVENINGS. Fifth, take time to have a meaningful weekly home evening.

BE TOGETHER AT MEALTIMES. Sixth, take time to be together at mealtimes as often as possible.

READ SCRIPTURES DAILY. Seventh, take time daily to read the scriptures together as a family.

DO THINGS AS A FAMILY. Eighth, take time to do things as a family. Make family outings and picnics and birthday celebrations and trips special times and memory builders.

TEACH YOUR Children. Ninth, mothers, take time to teach your children. Catch the teaching moments.

Teach children gospel principles. Teach them it pays to be good. Teach them there is no safety in sin. Teach them a love for the gospel of Jesus Christ and a testimony of its divinity.

Teach your sons and daughters modesty, and teach them to respect manhood and womanhood. Teach your children sexual purity, proper dating standards, temple marriage, missionary service, and the importance of accepting and magnifying Church callings.

Teach them a love for work and the value of a good education.

Teach them the importance of the right kind of entertainment, including appropriate movies and videos and music and books and magazines. Discuss the evils of pornography and drugs, and teach them the value of living the clean life.

Yes, mothers, teach your children the gospel in your home, at your own fireside. This is the most effective teaching that your children will ever receive. This is the Lord's way of teaching. The Church cannot teach like you can. The school cannot. The day-care center cannot. But you can, and the Lord will sustain you. Your children will remember your teachings forever, and when they are old, they will not depart from them. They will call you blessed -- their truly angel mother.

Mothers, this kind of heavenly, motherly teaching takes time -- lots of time. It cannot be done effectively part-time. It must be done all the time in order o save and exalt your children. This is your divine calling.

TRULY LOVE YOUR children. Tenth and finally, mothers, take the time to truly love your children.