"Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness” (“The Family: A Proclamation to the World,” Ensign, May 2017, 145).
Many parents wonder how to be fair and consistent in their parenting. When setting limits, it is important to be consistent in following sound principles of parenting.
Read “Giving Children Love, Limits, and Latitude,” to learn principles that apply to children of any age.
Jesus grew “in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man” (Luke 2:52). You can also help your children to grow spiritually, socially, physically, and intellectually. Setting goals and achieving them will take prayerful consideration, guidance from the Holy Ghost, and support from loving parents and leaders.
Read “Helping Your Children Make and Complete Goals,” and “Motivating the Rising Generation,” for ideas on how to help.
A video series, “Parenting Videos: Supporting Children and Youth,” includes insights from parents around the world who share experiences of implementing the Children and Youth program and how they learned to support and motivate their youth to set goals and overcome challenges.
Jesus Christ can strengthen us. When we are worried, afraid, or struggling in any way, He will comfort us. He will help us in all aspects of our lives.
You can help your children develop the attitudes and the skills of resilience. As children become more resilient, they see life as challenging and ever changing, but they believe they can cope with those challenges and changes. They view mistakes and weaknesses as opportunities to learn, and they accept that losing may precede winning.
Read “Resilience—Spiritual Armor for Today’s Youth” by Elder Lynn G. Robbins to learn how to prepare children to meet today’s challenges head on. “Raising Resilient Children” can provide additional ideas on how to help children develop the attitudes and skills of resilience.
Marriage, family, and sexual relations are sacred to Heavenly Father. Consider reading Doctrine and Covenants 49:15–17 to teach that marriage and family are the reason God created this world.
If you worry that you haven’t talked with your children about sexuality soon enough or in the right ways, you’re not alone. To help our children prepare for and enjoy sexuality in its beauty and wonder within marriage, we need to guide them as they work toward controlling and expressing their God-given feelings.
Read “The Divine Purposes of Sexual Intimacy,” by Elder Dale G. Renlund and Sister Ruth Lybbert Renlund to learn more about the God-given gift of sexuality within the plan of happiness.
Read “How, When, and Why: Talking to Your Children about Sexuality,” for practical ideas on how to talk with your children.
Finding out a loved one has a disability or chronic health challenge can produce a variety of emotions. At times you may feel intense love accompanied with a sense of being chosen to fulfill this sacred role. Other feelings such as denial, anger, disappointment, frustration, and sadness toward God or others are also normal and can be part of the process of coming to an understanding of what is happening. You may find yourself exhausted emotionally as well as physically.
Although God has not revealed all things to us now, you can trust that He is a loving God and cares for you and your loved one. Draw close to Heavenly Father and allow His Spirit to comfort and instruct you. The core principles of the gospel pertaining to disabilities and mortality can provide peace and comfort to members with disabilities and their families.
Read “Special Needs, Special Lessons,” by Elder Paul B. Pieper and Sister Melissa T. Pieper to see what they are learning from their experience of having a daughter with special needs.
You can find additional help and support by studying these resources for parents and caregivers.
Joseph Smith taught, “All the minds and spirits that God ever sent into the world are susceptible of enlargement” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith [2007], 210). Assume that all God’s children are capable of increasing in knowledge and progressing. Ask the Lord to help you know how to help each person (see Teaching in the Savior’s Way [2022], pp).
Everyone can learn to be a better teacher. A video series, “Teaching Strategies for Children with Disabilities,” provides ideas and examples that can help you improve. You can also review “Suggestions for a Variety of Teaching Settings and Learners.”
Everyone experiences strong emotions. But if left unchecked, these emotions can do serious harm. The solution is found in the scriptures when Alma counsels his son Shiblon to “see that ye bridle all your passions, that ye may be filled with love” (Alma 38:12). To fill ourselves, our children, and our homes with love, we must learn to bridle—or master—strong emotions.
Learn more by reading “Ten Ideas for Mastering Strong Emotions at Home” (David Schramm, Ensign, Feb. 2020, 40–43).
Many factors can contribute to mental health challenges. Regardless of the contributing factors, we can draw strength from the Savior for hope and healing.
Taking care of our mental health is just as important as taking care of our physical health. Mental health challenges can impact anyone, regardless of education, geography, faith, calling, or family. They are nothing to be ashamed of and should be met with love and compassion.
Because mental health can be difficult to talk about, many suffer in silence. Learn more by reading “Like a Broken Vessel” (general conference, Oct. 2013) by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland and “Addressing Mental Health” (general conference, Oct. 2021) by Elder Erich W. Kopischke.
You can study “How Do I Talk to My Kids about Mental Health?” (Liahona, Feb. 2020, 40–41) for ideas on what to say to your children. Refer to the Mental Health resources in Life Help for additional support.
Having a child who is working through anxiety can be a significant challenge for parents. You are not alone; God has promised that He will help parents who are striving to help their children grow physically, intellectually, spiritually, socially, and emotionally. You can also reach out to professionals for help.
Read “6 Ways to Help a Child with Anxiety” (Sheldon Martin, Liahona, Dec. 2020, digital only) for ideas on helping children deal with anxiety. Refer to the Mental Health resources in Life Help for additional support.
Everyone feels sad or discouraged at times. As a parent, you may see changes in your child’s behavior without fully understanding the reasons. If your child is angry or sad for more than two weeks, you may wonder if he or she is experiencing depression.
Read “How Do I Help a Child Who Is Feeling Depressed?” (Heather Nelson and Derek Willis Hagey, Liahona, Aug. 2021, 16–17) to learn about some things you should watch for and ways to help your child. Refer to the Mental Health resources in Life Help for additional support.
Parents of children facing mental health challenges can always rely on the Savior for hope and healing. Professional counseling may also be needed for our children’s healing, learning, and growth.
Read “Does My Child Need Counseling?” (Wendy Ulrich, Liahona, Feb. 2022, U6–U11) to learn about four key questions that can help you decide if mental health professionals might also have a role to play. Refer to the Mental Health resources in Life Help for additional support.
Heavenly Father and our Savior understand our struggles with technology and will strengthen us.
Digital devices are engineered to be irresistible and hard to put down. In fact, many software and phone developers intentionally target our human vulnerabilities to keep us checking and scrolling through endless feeds of information. Young people, therefore, need adults who can model the appropriate use of these devices and can educate children about their effects.
Read “How to Manage Digital Devices and Get Your Family Back” for tips. Refer to the Taking Charge of Technology and Media Safety resources for additional support.
Heavenly Father gave us our physical bodies to help us become more like Him. Taking care of our bodies includes keeping them safe.
You can help educate and support your children by talking to them about healthy sexuality, teaching them how to better protect themselves from being exposed to pornography, and helping them learn how to respond appropriately when they encounter pornography. Consider watching and discussing the video “What Should I Do When I See Pornography?”
You can also read “Eight Strategies to Help Children Reject Pornography” for ideas from Church leaders and experts that will help fortify your family. Refer to the Pornography resources in Life Help for additional support.
In the beginning, our Father “saw that it was expedient that [His children] should know concerning the things whereof he had appointed unto them; …God conversed with [them], and made known unto them the plan of redemption, which had been prepared from the foundation of the world.” (Alma 12:28–30).
Research shows that youth want to have religious conversations, especially if they believe parents will listen respectfully to their honest questions, doubts, and dilemmas. But youth report that, too often, parents fall back on preaching, telling, bossing, and lecturing.
Read “Jesus Christ Is the Strength of Parents,” Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf’s April 2023 general conference address and “Essential Conversations,” Sister Joy B. Jones’s April 2021 general conference address for inspired counsel on talking with children about the gospel of Jesus Christ.
You can also refer to “How Can I Talk to My Teen about Religion?” for ideas on how to converse in a way that results in children feeling good about the Lord, themselves, their relationship with you, and their religious beliefs.
Questions are a critical part of our eternal growth, and searching for answers in the Lord’s way can bring us closer to our Heavenly Father.
President M. Russell Ballard has said: “When someone comes to you with a question or a concern, please do not simply brush off the question. Do not tell him or her not to worry about the question. Please do not doubt the person’s dedication to the Lord or His work. Instead, help the person find answers to questions” (see “An Epistle from an Apostle,” from an address delivered at a multistake conference on Sept. 11, 2016).
Read “When Doubts and Questions Arise,” for ideas on how to seek answers to gospel questions. You can also refer to “Helping Loved Ones Face Questions and Doubts about Faith.” Additional principles can be found at “Answering Gospel Questions.”
President Russell M. Nelson has said: “Because of our covenant with God, He will never tire in His efforts to help us, and we will never exhaust His merciful patience with us. Each of us has a special place in God’s heart” (see “The Everlasting Covenant,” Liahona, Oct. 2022).
When children leave the gospel path, it can be very difficult for parents who remain faithful to cope. Resist the urge to preach to them and focus on showing love and understanding.
Read “Faithful Parents and Wayward Children: Sustaining Hope While Overcoming Misunderstanding,” by Elder David A. Bednar and “Waiting for the Prodigal,” Elder Brent H. Nielson’s April 2015 general conference address for inspired counsel on how to support loved ones.
You can also refer to “When a Child Leaves the Church,” and “You Love, He Saves,” for additional insights.
We are beloved sons and daughters of heavenly parents—this is our most important identity. God loves all of His children, and everyone is worthy of love and respect.
Some people feel that their gender identity (how they feel inside) and their biological sex do not match. The distress that comes is sometimes called “gender dysphoria.” As a result, some might see themselves as transgender, gender fluid, nonbinary, or something else.
Prophets have taught that first and foremost, we are children of God. That is our most important identity. Read “Choices for Eternity,” President Russell M. Nelson’s May 2022 worldwide devotional message to young adults, for inspired teachings about our divine identity and purpose.
Refer to the Transgender resources in Life Help for additional support.
We are beloved sons and daughters of heavenly parents—this is our most important identity. God loves all of His children, and everyone is worthy of love and respect.
Same-sex attraction refers to emotional, physical, romantic, or sexual attraction to a person of the same gender. The parent of a child who experiences same-sex attraction or identifies as gay should choose to love and embrace that child. Children and youth need the help of parents and trustworthy adults to learn about and understand sexuality in its divine context.
Talking about one’s same-sex attraction can be terrifying and confusing. Your child, spouse, or family member may not know how to talk to you about it. You may sometimes feel inadequate. Although you may not know how to respond to the struggles your family member faces, you will never regret responding and reaching out with love and understanding.
Refer to the Same-Sex Attraction resources in Life Help for additional support.
We are all children of God with great worth.
Read “Peacemakers Needed,” President Russell M. Nelson’s April 2023 general conference address and “The Merciful Obtain Mercy,” Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf’s April 2012 general conference address, for counsel on dealing with strained relationships and learning to be more kind, tenderhearted, and forgiving.
By teaching our children the appropriate principles and skills, we can help them avoid being bullied—or becoming bullies themselves. You can refer to “The Worth of Souls and the Problem of Bullying,” for principles and skills to share with your children.
President Russell M. Nelson has invited us “to lead out in abandoning attitudes and actions of prejudice” and has shared several ways we can “promote respect for all of God’s children” (see “Let God Prevail,” Liahona, Nov. 2020).
To learn more, read “Overcoming Racism and Prejudice: We Can Build Bridges.”
Divorce can be among the most difficult decisions in life. Living life as a single parent can be challenging, but Heavenly Father does not expect you to do it alone. As you rely on Him, you can find comfort and support.
Read “Rebuilding My Life after Divorce,” for ideas about how to move forward. Refer to the resources on Divorce and Single-Parent Families in Life Help for additional support.
Blended families can face unique challenges as parents and children live together in new relationships and new surroundings. After a divorce, children can feel torn between two adults and two families. Parents face the challenge of developing and strengthening their marriage relationship as well as their relationship with each child in the family.
Although blending two families can be challenging, it can also be rich and rewarding. Creating a spirit of unity is a process that requires patience, love, respect, and consideration for each member of the family.
Read “When 1 Family + 1 Family = 1 Family,” and “Remarriage: An Adventure in Patience and Love,” for ideas and inspiration.