Courageous Parenting

I never felt right about sleepovers when my sons were growing up.  I just didn't.  But it was such a common thing to do, part of a "normal" childhood, right?

I was accused often of being overprotective.  Because of this,  I feared that my sons might "turn out" like the 2 'boys' down the street from us.  They never ventured out on their own, and still shared a wagon wheeled bedroom set, when they were in their 40s. If one of them came to see us, 5 houses down, their Mom would often call them within 15 minutes to make sure they were okay.

So no, I did not want my boys to be like them. 

I wanted them to be men, and move out, and have families of their own, and be happy.

So I suffered through the many sleepovers.  As the years went on, and the world got crazier, I started deleting more of their friend-sleepover ideas.  But I often felt like a Mom all on her own....no other Mothers I knew seemed to have a problem with it.

So can you imagine how happy I was last Sunday afternoon when Elder Larry Lawrence said this in his talk:

"May I express my personal warning about a practice that is common in many cultures?  I am referring to sleepovers, or spending the night at the home of a friend.  As a Bishop I discovered that too many youth violated the Word of Wisdom or the law of chastity for the first time as part of the sleep over.  Too often their first exposure to pornography, and even their first encounter with the police, occurred when they were spending the night away from home.  Peer pressure becomes more powerful when our children are away from our influence, and our defenses are weakened late at night...Always be prayerful when it comes to protecting your precious children."

I am so thankful for General Conference, and the guidance we get to receive.

I'm also thankful my sons all enjoy watching it, too.  Even when they live in Provo, and their Uncle Richard so kindly has them all over.  It's a great time to be with extended family. 

I heard that for some reason Sunday morning the water in the Mcs apartment wouldn't turn on.  

So they couldn't shower.  

Just as they were leaving to go to Richard's, the water came back on, so all they had time for was to brush their teeth! 

 

I heard that Richard made them all "delicious omelets."  

And cousin Lindsay made "Wendy's Cowboy Caviar."

And then later she made "delicious choc chip oatmeal cookies."  

Oh, and between conference sessions they all played an intense game of UNO. 

My SIL, Wendy, was here in Clovis for the weekend!

And of course Dennis was in Utah.

We are all back in our own homes now.

Thank you Karen for taking the pictures!!