Why Do We Hurt the One We Love?

A song from the 50’s apologizes with a pitiful excuse: “You always hurt the one you love, the one you shouldn’t hurt at all…it’s because I love you most of all”.  My thoughts for this week concern the needs of our children. Too many families are falling apart. "Children are the first victims of divorce!"  (Dallin H. Oaks)

                                                                                                                                                            “One for all and all for one”             

                                                                                                                                                                

Living in a family with a wife, husband, and children is very challenging. With busy schedules communication is sometimes difficult.  Frustration creates moments where voices might raise, or things said will hurt feelings. The latest banter of my eight year old granddaughter is “you’re the worst sister/brother ever!”  Yet, because there is a commitment, married couples try to work (and it is work) at staying together to raise children who will contribute to society. When they can see the good for the whole, selfish desires give way for a team effort. Have fun together, work together to make home a place of peace and order, and pray together.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

In love but not committed?

For those who are not married, but living with girlfriend/boyfriend and children of his/hers/ours; what was the glue on the commitment when you moved in together? Is there a roommate agreement as created by Sheldon on “The Big Bang Theory”? If things aren’t how you want them to be, do you just pack up and leave? Thirty-one percent of cohabiting couples break up within five years.

Did you know the risks for children without a stable home life?

Studies reveal that a fourth of cohabiting couples break up before their child is even a year old? With one parent remaining a child could likely develop:

·         behavior issues

·         lack of school achievements

·         low economic status

·         Psychological well-being at risk

(Susan L. Brown).

Also how many “parents” will this child have in and then out of their life? What in this atmosphere gives a child hope and encouragement to achieve?

The cliche’ “Our children are our future” is very true.

More and more the needs of children are being ignored. Where will our future leaders come from?  In a recent ad for Windows 10 are shown cameos of children playing, with the idea that any of them could achieve greatness, making a difference in the world! What can your child become? 

How to make your marriage thrive:

Elder Scott of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints passed away this past Tuesday, but left this admonition on having a good marriage

• a deep love of the Lord and of His commandments,
• a determination to live them,
• one that is kindly understanding, forgiving of others, and willing to give of self.
• With the desire to have a family crowned with beautiful children and a commitment to teach them the principles of truth in the home.