Empty nest? I don't think that's a thing.

So let me tell you a little story about empty nesters.

Once upon a time in a far away place called Rexburg Idaho there was a young girl named Mattie. With her bags all packed she moved into her very first apartment away from home. Mattie knew of course that it would be hard for her parents to see her go, especially because she is the youngest and sweetest of 7 children. Her parents helped her move all her things into the apartment with tear stained eyes. After their long journey home they later called Mattie and told her they love her, and they miss her so much they can't leave her bedroom door open without starting to cry.

Fast-forward now 2 weeks into the future. Mattie's parents haven't called for a while, have they forgotten her? No, they're home, planning a cruise to somewhere exotic. They've found someone new to take Mattie's place, her name is vacation, their brand new daughter. They don't have to keep Mattie's door closed anymore. That phase quickly passed and their nest is empty no longer.Vacation and them have a grand time without forgotten Mattie. Now, I don't blame them, I really don't. But due to this story I no longer believe that having an empty nest is such a bad thing.

(This is based on a true story)

Parenting styles

There are 3 major types of parenting styles

1. Permissive: Gives the child too many choices, laid back, and unrealistic expectations. The child often thinks, "Do they even care?"
2. Authoritarian/autocratic: Gives the child no other choice. "Because I said so." the child often rebels because they figure out the parent is just giving empty threats. 
3. Authoritative/Active: Gives the child the right amount of choices. Parents are reliable and realistic. They set ground rules and enforce them with love and respect. 

What kind of parenting styles is the video below and example of? Which type of parenting style did your parents use? Which style do you plan on using with your children? (Yes, it is authoritarian!) 

Family & finances

Show your children the importance of paying tithing. Paying tithing when you're young teaches:

• Financial planning
• Selflessness
• Impulse control
• Commitment
• Family unity in sacrifice
• Putting God first.

It is such a blessing to teach children the importance of tithing at a young age, they can carry this knowledge with them for the rest of their lives for further blessings. Tithing can almost be considered "spiritual insurance."

Malachi 3:8-11

 8 ¶^aWill a man ^brob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In ^ctithes and offerings.

 9 Ye are ^acursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.

 10 Bring ye all the ^atithes into the storehouse, that there may be^bmeat in mine house, and ^cprove me now herewith, saith the Lordof hosts, if I will not ^dopen you the ^ewindows of heaven, and pour you out a ^fblessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.

 11 And I will ^arebuke the ^bdevourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the Lord of hosts.

 The Lord is ultimately teaching us how to be more like Him. He has given ultimately given us everything. Paying tithing isn't a big deal in the grand scheme of things, but that is all He asks. Can't we do that for Him?

Communication

This generation is suffering due to texting. N07 0NlY d035 I7 H@rM C0MmuNic@7I0n 5kill$, 8u7 gr@Mm@r I5 0U7 7h3 wIND0w @$ W3ll!

Communication is:

14% Words

35% Tone

51% Non-verbal

Non-verbal is the biggest part of communication. With all this new technology and fast-paced world this generation is struggling to pick up all the non-verbal ques. Families need to be able to effectively communicate. 

What are the communication rules in your family? (You know when you get "the look" you're going to get it!)

HELP!

Dealing with crisis

Everyone has gone through a crisis. It doesn't really matter what the crisis is, all that matters is how you respond to it. 

There are a few ways of thinking about crisis:

• That stunk!
• We manage
• It's ok now
• We're better
• Thank you

In class we were asked to make a list of 10 crises or trials and label them with how we feel about them now. I know I had a few that I was definitely thankful for, but I also has some that just plain stunk! As the Thanksgiving holiday is approaching I want to shift my way of thinking and become more thankful for my trials and crises.

In order to know how to work together as a family during a crisis you have to know how daily.

This man decided long ago how he would respond to a crisis. He lived his daily life in such a way that when crisis stuck, he knew just what to do. I think we can all learn from this forgiving, humble and Christlike man.

How to prevent an affair

The scriptures are awesome. They can teach pure and simple truths so effectively!

1 Corinthians 7: 1-7

 1 Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: ^aIt isgood for a man not to touch a woman.
 2 Nevertheless, ^ato avoid ^bfornication, let every man have his own^cwife, and let every woman have her own husband.
 3 Let the ^ahusband render unto the ^bwife due ^cbenevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband.
 4 The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife.
 5 ^aDefraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that ^bSatan ^ctempt you not for your incontinency.
 6 But I speak this by permission, and not of commandment.
 7 For I would that all men were even as I myself. But every man hath his ^aproper ^bgift of God, one after this manner, and another after that.

Paul addresses sexual misunderstandings. I think it is interesting that way back in Bible times the people were struggling with sexual sins; and still today, our society is struggling with the very same things.

Maybe because I'm not married I wouldn't understand what is so tempting about having an affair, but in class we learned that it is easier than you think to have an affair, so be careful! No one gets married planning on having an affair or failed marriage. Protect yourself and remember: "don't talk about marriage problems with anyone but your spouse."

The Proposal

Does the proposal matter? 

You bet your hiney it does. 

• The proposal sets a tone for the entire marriage
• The proposal the the beginning of forming family roles
• Shows leadership. In my faith it shows that the man is honoring his priesthood leadership responsibilities

What's the significance of the proposal in your opinion?

An interesting fact that I had never heard before was that people who are on their way to divorce have 10 areas of significant incompatibility. In contrast the people who reported having a great and happy marriage have 10 areas of significant incompatibility as well. What is the difference? I have my own thoughts and you can have yours, but it is an interesting comparison, that's for sure.