Parenting

Why is parenthood important and how can you make a difference in your children’s lives?

Now I am not a parent and so I am therefore not an expert on making a different in my child's life, however, I "have been born of goodly parents" who were wonderful examples to me. We also have the resources available to us through the church on how to prepare to be good parents.
Why is parenthood important?

When Adam and Eve were first introduced into the garden, one of the first commandments they were given was to "multiply and replenish the Earth." We too have been given the same commandment. Elder Holland tells of the importance of parenthood perfectly when he states,

"Imagine that, if you will. Veritable teenagers — and all of us for many decades thereafter — carrying daily, hourly, minute-to-minute, virtually every waking and sleeping moment of our lives, the power and the chemistry and the eternally transmitted seeds of life to grant someone else her second estate, someone else his next level of development in the divine plan of salvation.
I submit to you that no power, priesthood or otherwise, is given by God so universally to so many with virtually no control over its use except self-control. And I submit to you that you will never be more like God at any other time in this life than when you are expressing that particular power. Of all the titles he has chosen for himself, Father is the one he declares, and Creation is his watchword — especially human creation, creation in his image. His glory isn’t a mountain, as stunning as mountains are. It isn’t in sea or sky or snow or sunrise, as beautiful as they all are. It isn’t in art or technology, be that a concerto or computer. No, his glory — and his grief — is in his children. You and I, we are his prized possessions, and we are the earthly evidence, however inadequate, of what he truly is.
Human life — that is the greatest of God’s powers, the most mysterious and magnificent chemistry of it all — and you and I have been given it, but under the most serious and sacred of restrictions. You and I who can make neither mountain nor moonlight, not one raindrop nor a single rose — yet we have this greater gift in an absolutely unlimited way. And the only control placed on us is self-control — self-control born of respect for
the divine sacramental power it is." (Jeffery R. Holland, Of Souls, Symbols and Sacraments)

That quote is long but lets break it down, we have been given a God-like ability, the ability to create human life. We have the power to create another human being, and what a powerful and rewarding capability that is. By partaking in parenthood, we are literally becoming God-like.

Just as God loves and rears each of us in our lives, we too have that same ability in our children's life. We are given the responsibility to teach them right from wrong throughout their life.

This all sounds fine and dandy, but what does this mean when you have a toddler throwing a tantrum in the grocery store while you are trying to check out?

The world teaches us to handle situations like this with coercion, to bribe or threaten our child into correct behavior in order to produce results. While these behaviors may work at times, they are not long lasting.
The Lord teaches us to rear our children in love and righteousness. Is threatening our child rearing them in "love?" We must take the opportunity to teach our kids right from wrong. When throwing a tantrum in the grocery store it may take a few minutes longer (which seems like an eternity with a line behind you), but by teaching our children true principles we instill in them a sense of right and wrong.

The home is a safe place in which children can learn right from wrong, where they may be punished yet still know that they are loved despite their wrong choices. I grew up in a home in which I was disciplined often, but the consequences to my mistakes always equaled the behavior. My parents did not threaten me, nor did they restrict me from making poor choices, however, they taught me to learn for myself and to recognize that all choices come with a consequence.

Lastly, as stated in Alma 31:5 "And now, as the preaching of the word had a great tendency to lead the people to do that which was just—yea, it had had more powerful effect upon the minds of the people than the sword, or anything else, which had happened unto them—therefore Alma thought it was expedient that they should try the virtue of the word of God." 

Nothing is more powerful to instill obedience than to teach our children the importance and benefits of a relationship with Christ. When an individual truly understands the value of a relationship with the Savior, obedience will no longer be a chore, but rather a pleasure. The threat of distancing themselves from the Savior due to poor choices will instill a devotion to choose the right.