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Watch Your Step



This video is so powerful! Leave it to Elder Holland to say this right. He gets right to the heart of the reason I do this blog. It's the reason my kids are still begging for cell phones of their own, and I have not caved in. It's the reason I have passwords on the computers, Wii channels like Netflix, and my cell phone. It's the reason I worry over which friends my children choose. And it's the reason my husband and I do scripture study and still say individual prayers (yes, even with the 13 year old) with each of our kids at night: I don't want to see my children suffer because of bad choices.

Some may see me as paranoid or strict. I know that children need to learn how to be independent and how to take the consequences of their actions. Believe me, there are still plenty of choices they are allowed to make, and still plenty of consequences when they make poor ones. What I want to do is be sure that everyone in the family feels that home is a safe place. I want it to be as free of temptations as possible. That's why I do these things.

Because Heavenly Father is merciful and Jesus died for us, there is the chance to make things right even if we make a giant mistake. I'm so grateful for that! But how much better to not have the pain at all. Life comes with enough pain that's out of our control. So doing good is always best, even when it's hard or others are trying to persuade us otherwise.

For my kids: When you grow up there will be choices like this man had to make. In fact, there are choices like this that you have to make now at school or when I'm not around. Know that I love you and I am trying to help and steer you on a path of happiness. It may seem like pushing sometimes, but that's my job- to keep you on track. It is my responsibility to guide you and protect you so that you can have a full and happy life once you leave childhood behind. Please be patient with me as I try to help you. Some day it will pay off for all of us!

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