Today was our last day in class. I have had a lot of things to reflect on since I began this class. It has helped me come to realize even more strongly the importance of making sure our families have a sense of belonging, to ensure that all our family members feel love and comfort in their family. It has helped me think about some of the things that I also need to improve on in my life. I’m so grateful for my family. My parents have had a great impact on me and I hope one day to do the same for my children. It has truly helped shape me who I am today. I hope we all continue to seek the ones in our family that are always in need of love, and may we involve the Savior to guide us and teach us on the best way to love and teach our families.

Parenting is a privilege and honor to bring children into the world and help them grow and develop to become the best that they can be.  In our children’s lives they will have many teachers, at school, their peers, at church, etc. However, parents are the greatest and most influential teacher they will have in their lives.

Rosemary Wixom said, “The world will teach our children if we do not, and children are capable of learning all the world will teach them at a very young age. What we want them to know five years from now needs to be part of our conversation with them today. Teach them in every circumstance; let every dilemma, every consequence, every trial that they may face provide an opportunity to teach them how to hold on to gospel truths.” Parents need to seek the guidance of God for the best way to teach their child to help them have success. I’m grateful for my parents who diligently sought the guidance from a loving Heavenly Father to help me become the best that I could be. They taught me to serve, work, and to seek to know my Heavenly Father. May we be our children’s teachers and teach them the way to know their Heavenly Father. 

This past week we discussed the importance of managing money in family. Something that my parents have always shown me is that in marriage it is never "my" money. It is "our" money. They expect equal ownership of the income, even though my mother isn't working. However, with this concept in mind they have never had to engage in arguments over who's is whose.  The spending of money should be on the same level basis, with both spouses agreeing on how to spend the money. It’s important to decide what’s important and what is not. Marvin J. Ashton said, “In the home, money management between husband and wife should be on a partnership basis, with both parties having a voice in decision and policy making.” It’s so crucial to communicate about how you will spend your money as a family. Steve Albrecht said, “Poor financial management can destroy an otherwise stable family, and many divorces can be traced to quarrels over money.” Let us put the things first that matter most on what we spend in avoiding quarrels that can have a damaging effect on the ones we love.