Happy Sabbath
February 26, 2016
There are many fun new elements in the Friend this year. Have you seen the new “Happy Sabbath” page? Each month, we will give your family a new activity to try. In the February issue, we share the idea of making a “Sacrament Thoughts” booklet to stay focused on Christ during church. Write and tell us what blessings you experience as your family works to make the Sabbath a special day!
Family Proclamation ABCs
By Jocelyn Christensen
February 19, 2016
I love studying the The Family: A Proclamation to the World with my children and wanted to try a fresh approach. So I broke down the Proclamation into words and lines that correspond with each letter of the alphabet. As I teach my kids the alphabet, we talk about the key words and the Proclamation. Here’s part of our list. What Proclamation ABCs can your family find together?
A–(Adam & Eve) “All human beings—male and female—are created in the image of God.”
B–(babies, birth, bonds) “Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony.”
C–(commandments, children) “We declare that God's commandment for His children to multiply and replenish the earth remains in force.”
Valentine’s Day Traditions
By Jeanine Crane
February 12, 2016
One of my favorite family traditions growing up was our secret valentines. Sometime around Valentine’s Day, we’d put all of our names into a bag or bowl. Then each family member would draw the name of another family member. That person was then our “secret valentine.” We’d make a homemade card for them and find a way to serve them as well. It was so fun to perform these secret acts of service for each other! It made the holiday more about Christlike love than about romance.
Another fun tradition our family has is to gather around the table and make homemade valentines for grandparents and others who may need a little extra love. My boys have a great time being creative with the paper, glue, glitter, and stickers while they think of others.
A Happy Bedtime
February 5, 2016
“It’s bedtime!” How does your little one react to those words? With wailing and flailing? Or with relative cooperation? Here are four tips for a happy bedtime routine:
- Decide when bedtime should be. Allow about 11 hours of sleep for little ones.
- Work backward, allotting a time for each step. Your routine might start with bath time at 6:30 p.m. and end with lights out at 8:00. Stick to these times consistently. You can give verbal cues like, “Now it’s time for a bath” to let your child know the routine has begun.
- Have your child help put together a special “bedtime basket” with a book, scriptures, and other items to use just at bedtime.
- Read “Happy Faces” on page FJ2 of the Friend Junior section and make the bedtime chart on page FJ3 with your child.
Check Facebook next week for a post about the “3 Cs of Bedtime” and share any tips of your own! Sweet dreams!
