Helping our Children Develop a Sense of Purpose
As parents we desire that our children grow up to become responsible, caring, selfless individuals who spend their lives building and strengthening their families, their communities and the Kingdom of God. The World is trying, very successfully, to create youth who are self-centered and directionless. One of the great things we can do to help our children develop a sense of purpose is to help them participate in service and humanitarian work.
President Monson has said, “God bless all who endeavor to be their brother’s keeper, who give to ameliorate suffering, who strive with all that is good within them to make a better world. Have you noticed that such individuals have a brighter smile? Their footsteps are more certain. They have an aura about them of contentment and satisfaction, even dedication, for one cannot participate in helping others without experiencing a rich blessing himself.” (Teachings of Thomas S. Monson, pg 289)
Together, let us consider ideas of how we can incorporate service and humanitarian work into our homeschools, and gain a greater vision of our privilege and duty, as LDS Americans, to reach out and lift others.
Myra Johnson is a happy wife and joyful mother of five fabulous children, ages 7-22; four boys with a little girl at the end. She has been homeschooling for 19 years and has been blessed to see many wonderful fruits of her labors. She centers her homeschool around the gospel of Jesus Christ, and employs the TJEd methodology. She considers motherhood to be one of her greatest blessings, and her ability to homeschool her children a tremendous gift.