Wrapping It Up!

Wow, time has flown and I can’t believe that I am done with the semester.  I have really enjoyed taking the class of Family Relations 160 and I have learned some new things in this class.  What I have appreciated most about this class is that it made me think of issues in different perspectives and also ask myself how Heavenly Father views family.  I have learned many new things that I can apply to my life so that I can better my future family.

These are the top three things that I have learned that has really made me think and improved my perspective. 1)  Research has been done about same sex attractions.  It has been found that people aren’t born with a "gay" gene and that homosexuality isn't genetic.  People consider themselves gay by factors that happened to them throughout their life.  The factors can be if they were wounded by abuse, bullying, not having a father figure, having an over protective mother, didn't have touch or feel loved, or (and) viewed pornography.  It is important to realize that people become gay can be by choice or things that they have experienced. A lot of time gay or lesbian people say that they are born that way and they can't change.  This is not true because people can change.  Heavenly Father can help you change and become a better person no matter what you do in life.  It is important to be close to your family and get help by asking people you are comfortable talking to.  God loves all his children and I believe that family is one of the key points in raising his children.  Marriage is ordained of God between husband and wife and the reason people get married should be because they love each other and they can raise children to be righteous children because everyone is a child of God.  The ways of the world may be changing but Gods laws are never changing.

2. Transition into marriage can be the hardest part for some families.  Couples need to learn how to share living space, coordinate life styles and plans, and getting along. Good marriages adjust by communicating, dividing up money (sharing money), and spending time together.  Each couple is different so they will need to plan according to each other’s needs.  People have tendencies to act a certain way according to how they were raised and transition those understandings into their marriage.  People have unrealistic expectations of marriage, but it is still work that you have to put into to make it work out.  To make realistic expectations couples need to talk about their “marriage contract” before they get married.  The contract should discuss certain issues like how many kids do you want, how will we solve problems, how are we going to communicate, what roles are we going to have… and more questions.  

3. Parenting is a huge responsibility and blessing in families.  Some people don’t want kids because they think they cost too much, too much responsibility, or other reasons.  Being a parent can be the most rewarding thing and I think that it is an amazing opportunity that we have to learn and grow as becoming a parent. When parenting there are better ways to go about certain situations.  It is good to let a child have choices.  If they make a mistake they can choose what their consequence is, within your boundaries.  Another was of parenting is to use I statements to let a child to know that what they are doing makes you feel a certain way and how they could help.  It is important to be positive while teaching because it will work out better and the child will be more understanding.  You also can’t be a push over so have polite requests, use I-statements and be firm.

Our Families really do have an effect on others and on society.  What we learn from our previous families will usually transition to our new marriage so it is important to learn and bring good qualities into your marriage.  I think that each individual has an impact on the family and it is a team effort.  Families can be a safe place for us where we can learn and grow.  Heavenly Father sent us in families because He loves us and he wants us to feel loved and learn from good parents.  I know that marriage is between man and a woman and that even if man’s laws change, Gods laws will always be the same and I need to follow God’s law.  I’m grateful for the family that I have where I can learn to become better and more like thee.