Divorce and Remarriage

We all know that divorce is pretty hard, but have we ever thought about how difficult remarriage would be? I know I hadn't until this past week in my Family Relations class. Often people imagine that if the first marriage didn't work out it probably wasn't "true love". In reality "true love" doesn't really exist with out a lot of work, but often when individuals remarry and have children they hope it will be a different experience. Many people who decide to remarry don't realize the emotional toll it can take on children who have to adjust to having a new parent in the home. The adjusting it will take to bring a new member in the family and how it can be very devastating on a marriage relationship. Each individual brings a lot of "baggage" to another marriage.  This doesn't mean that it can't work out though. It takes a lot of time, patience, long-suffering, and love in order to make anything work. In a new marriage though these are things will have to become necessary. Cooperating and building each other up as a couple will also reinforce the potential for success. And even taking time to build relationships with children and being patient can create great relationships. It just is important to remember that marriage in general is very difficult, but having a remarriage can be more difficult, but it definitely isn't impossible and there is a lot of hope in deciding that working towards the same goal in a relationship will really benefit and help a family becoming successful! It just takes time and love.

Parenting

Parenting is one of the greatest and most difficult things we can do on this earth, but it is one of the most building and strengthening experiences we can do in this life time.
Many people don't really understand parenting and just assume that when they get to it, they'll know what to do. This is not the case however, and even though I've learned so much about good parenting and how to learn skills that will really benefit a future family, I won't ever be perfect at it.
As future parents I believe the best way to be the best parents we possibly can is to study good parenting styles and begin applying them right now. Through this we can learn that the best way to parent is with love, to focus on the positive aspects of a child's behavior instead of the negative, to recognize that children need to be respected, to be consistent with discipline, to let your children choose discipline, and to really act as a parent. There are so many important things that we don't really focus on when we become parents, but if we are practicing some of the principles now we will become better parents than if we just jump into thinking that we are going to be the best.

Fathers & Finances

In a world where the father is being increasingly pushed out of the home, now is the time more than ever to recognize how important it is to have a father in the home. Studies have shown that Father's help children develop better, are more likely to avoid drugs or other harmful substances or actions and can really teach the importance of hard work. Father's in the home teach the difference between gender roles and help influence the family in positive ways.
I've really enjoyed learning about the importance of having a Father in a family. Studies have also shown that having a father in the family helps children to be more financial stable and take the time to get an education. Everything about having a Father is great.
I know for me that my father taught me how to play basketball and other sports. As well, as teaching me the importance of money and hard work. There are just so many things that Father's have a food influence over, just by being part of a family.