Raising Children

-I believe in letting my kids get dirty and even soil their clothes.
-I let them make messes as they explore their world.
- In a place where water is not so conserved and pricy, I let them splash and play in water almost every summer day. [Even winter days, we would have fun bath times, or sensory sink times!]
-I believe in letting them play in the rain, the sun, and the snow.
-I let them eat with their hands if they so desire.
-I encourage creative play, independent play, group play and so on.
-I encourage playing in the dirt... sometimes even the mud!
-I believe there are a million better options than turning on the TV and I refuse to believe that it is ever "needed" as a babysitter, no matter how many kids we have.
-I find it not just valuable, but nearly essential to include my children in daily tasks such as sweeping, dishes, laundry, picking up & cleaning.
-I know that children understand far more than they can express, and if we just sit down and talk with them it's always 100% better than yelling.
-I am a firm believer in reading to my children everyday, multiple times a day.
-I believe consequences should be associated with the behavior, not just a blanket consequence for everything.
-I do not believe spanking/swatting/slapping should ever be a 1st or 2nd consequence choice.
-I believe in letting kids make choices. As many choices as they want and can make in a day, and that trying to control or force our children is not okay.
-I embrace outside play, and my heart thrills to see them running, exploring, growing and developing.
-I think it is vital to be far more connected to our children, then connected to our phones.
-Its more important to worry about what is being taught in my home, and what my children are learning outside of the home, then what others think of me, my house, the car I drive or what fancy somethin's I have.
-I have found the best toys for children are the ones they discover themselves. Sticks, cardboard boxes, mommies clean clothes, sink full of water, a fort made out of sheets, etc.
-I believe kids need boundaries, and one if the best ways to teach them about boundaries is to have boundaries for yourself.


Does this mean I always allow anything anytime? No. Does this mean there aren't exceptions to the rule? No. Does this mean my parenting is better than yours?  No. Does this mean there is only one right way of doing things? No.

I believe that, as mom's, most of us are doing the best we can, with what we know. Everyone is in a different place, has different children, and a different set of values and needs.

Ultimately, I know it's my responsibility to raise my children in love, and righteousness, truth, and light, which includes teaching them about our Savior Jesus Christ and His gospel.