As I’ve jumped into the world of parenting, I’ve noticed that there are two main attitudes that people have with their kids:
Either parents feel the pressure to subtly act like their kid is the best in every way.
Or parents feel the pressure to nag on their kids and hate on all the bad things they do.
(This is, of course, a huge overgeneralization, but I’ve noticed that these really are the two biggest trends: brag on them or complain about them)
But… what if there was a different way?
What if there was a different way to view our kids that didn’t involve us getting prideful and jealous, or annoyed and demeaning?
What if we viewed our children as holy individuals who we need to teach, and who we expect will make plenty of mistakes along the way as they learn?
Of course, I’m not even close to the first person to suggest this.
The Lord reminded us in D&C 74:7:
“Little children are holy”.
This certainly doesn’t meant that their actions are always holy.
But it does mean that they, their souls, who they really are, are holy.
They are literally protected from Satan’s influence.
Former Primary President, Joy D. Jones, gave a powerful talk in the most recent conference about little children, and this stood out to me when she said:
“There is a uniquely special time in children’s lives when they are protected from Satan’s influence.
“It is a time when they are innocent and sin free.
“It is a sacred time for parent and child.
“Children are to be taught, by word and example, before and after they have ‘arrived unto the years of accountability before God’.”
Now, this doesn’t mean that kids younger than 8 aren’t capable of doing something that they know is wrong.
I think any parent of a 3-year-old can tell you that!
But… they aren’t held accountable for them yet.
It flips the narrative on parenting just a bit, and I love what the repercussions are.
Yes, let’s share our kids’ amazing accomplishments and vent to a friend after a super frustrating day.
But let’s also help remind each other that our children are holy.
And we have a sacred responsibility to teach them in word and in deed. Setting positive examples and treating them with love.
These kids are holy, and they deserve our best.
Happy Studying!
-Cali Black
