I've had a lot of people comment to me over the years that family home evenings don't work so well in their house. They say their kids are too young, or too hyper, or too old, or too busy, or whatever, so they just stop trying. Everytime I hear this I am saddened to think of the joy that they are missing out on.
While a perfectionist by nature, I learned a long time ago that perfection in this effort isn't really attainable. As much as I would like to have 30-minute-long lessons with my perfectly attentive children actively participating in engaging discussions, it's just never happened. Instead, my children squirm, try to do their homework, or even worse, fight, during the lessons. Sometimes we barely get five minutes in before we have a quick closing prayer and send them to bed in frustration, but despite our frustrations week after week we keep on trying hoping that something important will sink in here or there eventually.
Fatigue and busyness are hurdles that we all face, but like Elder Bednar taught us at our last conference it's "
the consistency of our intent and work [that is]perhaps the greatest lesson...."
Whew! Consistency seems so much more attainable than perfection!
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If you haven't been able to tell by now all my lessons have some similarities. I like to start off with something fun or memorable, then relate an applicable scripture story, then engage them in some other enrichment ideas to really illustrate the topic in action. My kids absolutely love the silly, "
What are Neighbors For?" story in this lesson and I feel like it gets the lesson off on a fun foot leading into a very important topic about loving your neighbors.
Click here to see my other
FHE lessons and stay tuned for a Christmas lesson coming next week!
LOVE THY NEIGHBOR FHE LESSON
