River Rose Temple Run

January: Attend the Temple and perform a temple ordinance, limited use, or work toward receiving a recommend.

February:  We will gather on a Monday evening (TBA) for a River Rose Ward Family Home Evening.  Please bring a picture of a temple that is special to your family and share the story of why.

March: Everyone (primary children, adults, youth) is invited to participate in our temple art gallery.  Make a sculpture or drawing or your favorite temple.  We will gather to admire our pieces of art, enjoy each other's company, and have an ice cream sundae bar.

April:  As a family, walk the temple grounds, or visit Temple Square.

May:  We will gather as a ward family and watch the movie "Mountain of the Lord."  A movie isn't complete without popcorn and treats.  TBA

June: Ward Temple Week:  Attend the temple as many times as you can during the week.  We will end the week with a testimony meeting to share our experiences.

May Enrichment Meeting

May's Enrichment Meeting was all about the family dinner.  Sister Oliver gave a wonderful lesson, first on the importance of the family meal, and then ideas on how to implement the family meal in your own family.

Here are Benefits of Family Dinners (from webmd):

• Everyone eats healthier meals
• Kids are less likely to become overweight or obese
• Kids more likely to stay away from cigarettes
• They're less likely to drink alcohol
• They won't likely try marijuana
• They're less likely to use illicit drugs
• Friends won't likely abuse prescription drugs
• School grades will be better
• You and your kids will talk more
• You'll be more likely to hear about a serious problem
• Kids will feel like you're proud of them
• There will be less stress and tension at home

Sister Oliver also used these articles in her research:

• "Preserving the Sacred Home" by Shirley Rucker Klein
• "Mealtime Matters"
• "Powerful Nurturing" by Julie B. Beck
• "Mealtime, Family Time" by Janene Wolsey Baadsgaard
• "The Magic of the Family Meal" by Nancy Gibbs Sunday, Time Magazine -- June 04, 2006

Also included was a list of ideas for a "Yakity Yak" jar.  

Yakity Yak pdf file

January's Relief Society Meeting - Marriage and Family Report

Parenting the Teenager - by Sister Ralina Kellis
Below are a few of the highlights from Ralina's lesson at Thursday's Relief Society meeting.

1. Parents should have individual time with children.
2. Be Flexible and have individual interviews.
3. When interviewing:
Seek Divine Guidance - pray together
Show Love - Show by hug or an arm around shoulder. Praise often.
Encourage Discussion - Ask questions that can't be answered with "yes" and "no"
Listen - Listening requires patience and concentration, keep things confidential
4. Elder Wells counsels us to "seek the Lord's help in understanding each other, resolving challenges, and reaching appropriate decisions - all without becoming defensive. Even more important, we must seek his help in changing our behavior and our hearts... As we draw near to the Lord, he can help us grow closer to one another"

10 Parenting tips:
1. Give kids some leeway.
2. Choose your battles wisely.
3. Invite their friends for dinner.
4. Decide rules and discipline in advance.
5. Discuss 'checking in.'
6. Talk to teens about risks.
7. Give teens a game plan
8. Keep the door open
9. Let kids feel guilty when they do something wrong.
10. Be a role model (Your actions -even more then your words- are critical in helping teens adopt good moral and ethical standards)



We welcome your comments on effective ways that you have found to strengthen your children. What has worked best for you in creating those opportunities for either formal or informal interviews?