Counsel with the council

We have been put in our family situations to strengthen one another and to love one another. Since we have been given this wonderful gift of a family, whether it be a mom or dad, grandma or grandpa, step parents or foster parents, we can uplift those we love with open communication. A family has been put together and the relationships we have should be strong and caring for each member in the household. Communication can be narrowed down into smaller parts such as, saying good morning, asking how your day was, sending a text of something you learned today, posting a funny picture on their Facebook, and small talk over the dinner table. These small conversations can turn into unplanned family councils. Meaning, a time to be open and talk about anything that is going on in your life with your family! Moms and dads are so wise. They have so much knowledge and so much more experience than their children do. Growing up in my own home, we would be asked to help cook dinner, set the table, and clean up. During these tasks, mom or dad would ask a question or comment on something we were doing. Then we would get off on a random tangent and end up talking about one of those "back when I was kid" stories from dad. These simple conversations with my parents have turned out to be many great life lessons learned and forever memories. 

When we council with one another, we build a stronger relationship of trust and honesty. When we talk openly about problems, we learn ways to help each other. When we share learning experiences, we learn to appreciate each other more. What a great blessing we have been given; to be loved and cared for by others. These councils are not just needed, but they are eternal (Family Councils, Ensign May, 2016, pg 63). In these little meetings, we learn respect, trust, charity, and other important attributes to strengthen our relationships with those we should love no matter what.

It matters just as much as what you say to each other as what you do. Mothers and fathers set the example for their children and future generations. Do not think that a child does not see when a mom and dad do not talk or the "silent treatment." The way a wife speaks/talks to her husband or husband to wife, shows their children the type of relationship they have, hopefully a good strong one. They give them a pretty god idea of what they would want in a future relationship. From personal experiences, I have noticed that when a mom and dad are happy, their children are happy. A child feels important, they feel loved, they feel safe, they feel they have worth. Counsel, advise, listen, guide, and love.