Mothers Who Know: January 2009

What We Are All About

Welcome to "Mothers Who Know!" This blog was inspired by the words of Julie Beck delivered at an LDS General Conference in 2007. There are days when I am running on empty and feeling inadequate at my job as mother, wife, and homemaker. I have been wishing for sometime that there was a place that I could go to pose a question about parenting, mothering, running a household...all the things that make up my little corner of the universe. In searching the web, I haven't found a place like this where I can ask other women about my personal dilemma and have them give me an honest answer based on their life experiences.

What I'm hoping for from this blog is for mothers to help mothers, regardless of age, religious affiliation, political views, and life experiences. I hope to build an online community of women who offer their help to each other for no other reason than to help another mother on her path.

To submit a question, please press the "Contact Us" button at the side of this page. Your question will be posted and the readers of this blog will have the opportunity to comment with their motherly wisdom.

Friday, January 23, 2009

Sharing a Room

Dear Mothers,

How do I help my two year old share her room with her new baby sister?

From,
Sharing Can Be Fun

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Getting to be that age...

Dear Mothers,

My fifth grader is being prepared to watch the school district's "maturation video" which is to introduce the concept of puberty to the children. My husband and I are open with our child about puberty and have already talked to him about this. We believe that this kind of discussion is very personal and should be handled in a family setting. Should we let our child watch the video at school or keep him home that day?

From,
Growing up too fast

Monday, January 12, 2009

Cabin Fever

When the weather is nice, I love to play outside with my kids. A big portion of every day is spent riding bikes, taking walks, playing ball, visiting the park. Now that it’s cold and snowy out, we’re cooped up inside, and I’m truly losing my mind. We do visit indoor play places from time to time, but I still feel couch potato-esque. Anyone have any creative suggestions for staying active indoors?

From,
Shut-in

Saturday, January 10, 2009

No's the word

Dear Mothers,

My three year old says no to everything I ask her. Pick up toys: No! Time to eat: No! Time for bed: No! Put on your coat: No! It's driving me crazy! What do I do?

From,
Pulling my hair out

Thursday, January 8, 2009

Between a Rock and a Very Sweet Baby

Dear Mothers Who Know,

The idea of working hurts my heart. I can't bear to leave my baby with somebody else. And I fear I will unravel at the prospect of juggling travel and commutes and other work demands with my daughter's care. But we will be in the red over five hundred dollars a month if I stay home. (And, yes, we already live very frugally)! I want to avoid the stress of being broke (I envision lawyers and lenders and a mortgage default!) and save for my daughters future.

So I'm facing the agony of returning to work versus the scariness of financial insecurity. How have others survived this modern decision?

From,
My Heart is at Home

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Girls Going to the Movies

Dear Mothers,

My 12year old daughter is dying to go to the movies with her friends without any adults. I so nervous about letting her. Is she too young? At what age would this be appropriate?

From,
Silver Screen Skittish

Inspiring Words from Julie Beck's Talk: "Mothers Who Know"

The responsibility mothers have today has never required more vigilance. More than at any time in the history of the world, we need mothers who know. Children are being born into a world where they “wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Ephesians 6:12). However, mothers need not fear. When mothers know who they are and who God is and have made covenants with Him, they will have great power and influence for good on their children.

Mothers who know are leaders. In equal partnership with their husbands, they lead a great and eternal organization. These mothers plan for the future of their organization. They plan for prayer, scripture study, and family home evening. Mothers who know build children into future leaders and are the primary examples of what leaders look like. They do not abandon their plan by succumbing to social pressure and worldly models of parenting. These wise mothers who know are selective about their own activities and involvement to conserve their limited strength in order to maximize their influence where it matters most.

Mothers Who Know