Protect Yourself From Divorce

This week we talked a little bit about divorce: what predicts divorce, what the process of divorce is, and how we can protect our marriage from divorce.  In order to protect ourselves from divorce, there are a few things that we can do.  When we are dating  the person that we are going to marry, we can anticipate problems ahead of time.  When you and the person you are going to marry have been seriously dating or are engaged, talk about how you would react to and handle certain difficult situations.  Don't just wait "to cross that bridge when you come to it."  You can also continue courtship in marriage.  Dating in marriage is just as important, if not more so, as dating before marriage.  Strengthen your relationship with your spouse.  Another thing you can do is never mention the word "divorce."  Do not mention that word even in passing or as some kind of joke.  Joking about divorce is not funny and your spouse will wonder if you are really thinking about it.  You can also have open communication with your spouse.  Cleave to them and to no one else (D&C 42:22).  Do not go to others and complain or whine about your spouse.  This will only make the problem worse and harder to fix.  A final thing that you can do to prevent divorce is to not divide your stuff up.  Don't have two of some things for the two of you.  You are a couple - SHARE. 

Teaching Your Teens

This week we talked a lot about parenting teens.  Our main job as a parent is to prepare our children to be independent, well-functioning adults.  To best do that, we need to be active parents.  Active parents need to be involved with their children, monitor their activities, show them respect, teach them how to use their agency, and teach them good problem-solving skills.  Active parents also need to have a good, solid relationship with their child.  If you have a good relationship with your child, they are more likely to respect you and to listen to you, even if they don't necessarily agree with you.  If you don't have a good relationship with your child, start developing one now!  Find common interests with your child or take an interest in their interests; talk with them and discuss things with them-don't just lecture them.  Listen to your child and to what they are saying and respect them and their opinion, even if you don't agree with it.  Everybody wants to be listened to, especially teens.  When talking with your teen, acknowledge their feelings and don't immediately jump to conclusions, accuse them, or get angry.  Let them tell their side of the story.  And be a good example to your children, young and teenaged.  Children learn more from an example than from a lecture.