Intentional Parenting

General Conference was glorious! As it coincided with Easter and the celebration of the risen Lord, the messages seemed to fill and refill my heart. I am more motivated to more forward in faith and with more confidence than ever before.

I loved the focus on FAMILY, MARRIAGE, and PARENTING.

I loved the messages of HOPE.

I loved the clarity I gained as I have pondered a different view of FEAR and GRACE.

I loved (even more this conference) being able to raise my hand to SUSTAIN the prophet.

I loved LISTENING, LEARNING, and FEELING with my own family.

I have decided to start with one quote this week... just one. I heard it at the end of conference and perhaps that is why is resonated so deeply in my mind. I have thought of it over and over in the last 2 days. In fact, I felt inspired to create my very own printable. (My first one ever!) Here it is:

I want to be that parent – the righteous, intentional parent.

I have asked myself a dozen times since hearing it, “Kendra, was than an example of intentional parenting?” or “Maybe I could focus this principle of parenting more in righteousness.”

I have found myself drawn to the scriptures and back to various sources that teach about righteous parenting. I have been speaking with my Father in Heaven about it in prayer. I still have a great deal to learn and even more to do to BECOME that kind of parent, but here are a few things that I was reminded that I am already doing. And although I am not doing them perfectly all of the time, I have made efforts to work on each of these daily. 

1. Get up each day with a DESIRE to be a good parent. It may sound simple, but when being a good parent is a priority, your thoughts are led to ways and opportunities to follow through.

2. Hold FAMILY PRAYER and FAMILY SCRIPTURE STUDY.
   We hear it all of the time, but there is peace and power that come when a family devotes some time daily to learning of God and then speaking to Him. It really unites an entire family.

2. Take CONCERNS, QUESTIONS, and DIFFICULTIES to the Lord. Talk about each of those precious children with Him. He knows them, loves them, and knows what can be done to help them. Praying for my children is a very beautiful part of my day. 

2. Be PRESENT with your children.
   Sometimes the most intentional decisions are those that pull you away from the online world or other distractions. When I focus on my children, I hear their thoughts, fears, excitement, and dreams. Look Up! Put down the devices and focus on the people in your home. Sometimes that means joining them in a board game, jumping on the trampoline, throwing a ball, telling jokes, doing dishes, helping with homework, or any other way that you spend time WITH them.

I am so excited to put more efforts on being an intentional parent. I choose to be a mother that will desire, work, pray, and be present for my children. 

What is Mothering Metamorphosis?

Metamorphosis is a change. Part of the definition of Metamorphosis is “any complete change in appearance, character, circumstances...”

As a woman, I am constantly striving for positive change in my life. I want to be better in practically every area of my life. Believe me, there is plenty of room for improvement. I also want to help my children grow and become better individuals. I want them to become their best selves.

Several years ago, my dear friend, Brandy, taught me about the lessons we can learn from the Metamorphosis of a butterfly. I have thought about this often and feel inspired to share it. 

Caterpillars are hatched with great potential, but they have to grow and change to reach that potential. Caterpillars crawl on the ground, in the dirt, or across the plants on which they live. They eat leaves. In fact, they spend most of their time eating and growing.

When a caterpillar enters the cocoon, so many extraordinary changes take place. At one point, there is little that would appear to be either a butterfly or a caterpillar. Instead, inside of the cocoon appears to be more of a soupy, broken-down mess. Eventually, the transformation is complete and a beautiful butterfly emerges.

Butterflies are exquisite. They don't crawl on the ground or in the dirt. They fly and have a completely different perspective of the world around them. Their desires have changed! These stunning creatures no longer seek just leaves. Now they desire nectar and live on that which is sweet.

There is some beautiful symbolism in this example for us. We each start off with great potential. We grow and work towards positive change in our lives. As we put off the 'natural man' and change to become followers of righteousness, we might find that the cocoon stage is messy. Our trials and struggles often feel like they are tearing us apart and breaking us down. In reality, if we hold on to the Savior and endure in hope, we discover that those hardships are making us a better, more beautiful version of our former selves.

I want to be the best version of myself – for myself and for my family. I want to change my desires so that they align with the Lord's. I believe that change -real and lasting change- is possible only through the atonement and grace of Jesus Christ.

Mothering Metamorphosis is the process of change that we go through as mothers and as women. This blog is dedicated to spiritually focused mothering and growth.

I invite other women and mothers to ponder the lessons of Metamorphosis, and join me as we endure the struggles, the dirt, the mess, the change, and the beauty that is this life.