Aunt Annelise and the "Clean Water"/Teaching my Children

Maddie loves Aunt Annelise

 My Sister Annelise surprised us with a visit.  She lives in Virginia a decided to come down and visit us while she is on summer break.  While she was here we went on an Atlas Quest (Really cool treasure hunt outdoors, click here for more info.)  We had fun finding the "treasure" and then enjoying the outdoors.  As we were leaving we spied a large puddle on the side of the path.  There were some cool bugs so we stopped to take a look.  Annelise gave us a random tip, "If you are lost and you need water it is better to drink water from a puddle that has bugs in it.  The bugs won't be in a puddle that has bad water that can harm you."  Good to know.  As we started to continue on I glanced over at Maddie who was squatted down next to the puddle and drinking the water.  I called out "Maddie, you can't drink the dirty water even if Aunt Annelise says you can." 

Aunt Annelise making "animal tracks" in the mud

Maddie and "clean water"

Dating Academy: Teaching Children about Relationships

"The more my wife and I counseled together, the more we realized this wasn’t just a good idea; it was our parental responsibility. President Boyd K. Packer, President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, taught that parents “have not only the right but the sacred obligation, and they are under counsel from the leaders of the Church, to concern themselves with [their children’s] dating habits.” 2 While we were emboldened, we were still unsure of exactly how we could fulfill our goals."

The more I learn about being a parent the more I realize that I have so much more to teach my children and do with my children. Sometimes this idea is overwhelming, but I know that I have a Heavenly Father who loves and cares for me and will help me figure out what I should focus on with my children.