Friend Connection

Different Kinds of Families

Use the Friend magazine to help your family understand a different sensitive topic each month.

Families are part of Heavenly Father’s plan. Like people, they come in different shapes and sizes. Sometimes it may seem like there are “perfect families” all around us, but in reality, this world is made up of imperfect people in family units just trying to figure things out. That’s right, no family is perfect! You can use these articles from this month’s Friend to talk to your children about different families and set goals for your own family.

“Goodly Grandparents” (page 8)

Andrew is self-conscious about a school activity because he is being raised by grandparents. But then he has a great experience when his grandpa comes to school. What makes your family wonderful and unique?

“Funstuff: Different Families” (page 10)

This activity illustrates that no two families are exactly the same. Though every family is different, what do you notice that is the same?

“A Different Kind of Pioneer” (page 28)

Gabby learns that even though she doesn’t have any ancestors who wore bonnets and pulled handcarts, she has ancestors who were pioneers in other important ways. Who are the pioneers in your family? See the activity on page 18.

Talk about It …

• If you teach children in Primary, be sensitive to their different family situations and include stories that show a variety of families.

• Help children understand how they can contribute to their family’s happiness—even if their family doesn’t seem “ideal” right now—and that they can look forward to creating a happy family of their own one day. Each one of us is also part of a loving heavenly family.

• Teach children that we should not be critical of other families but respectful and inclusive, even when we don’t agree with the choices other families make.

Related Resources

• In 1992, the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles issued a public statement that said: “We call upon all people everywhere to recommit themselves to the time-honored ideals of tolerance and mutual respect. We sincerely believe that as we acknowledge one another with consideration and compassion we will discover that we can all peacefully coexist despite our deepest differences” (in Russell M. Nelson, “Teach Us Tolerance and Love,” Ensign, May 1994, 71).

• Neil L. Andersen, “Whoso Receiveth Them, Receiveth Me,” Ensign, May 2016, 49–52.

Find stories, activities, and media about the topic of “family” at lessonhelps.lds.org. For past Friend Connection articles, visit FriendConnection.lds.org.