Motherly Qualities

Thank you to all who participated in my Motherly Qualities survey. It's interesting to note that all the characteristics we need to develop are gospel related. No one talked about knowledge, or good physical endurance, or beauty, or grace, or the ability to keep a clean house. Of course, the exact question was: what qualities do you think a woman needs to teach children to have faith and to base their decisions on gospel truths?

The most often mentioned quality was love/charity. Being able to put someone else before yourself and "loving" or accepting our children for who they are.

The next three qualitites appeared equally: Patience, faith, example

Patience, came in two specific areas, patience in slowly, steadily and constantly allowing your will to align with God's will (James labeled this Humility) and patience with your children--to take time to teach, to comfort, to listen and never showing frustration with a child's desire to learn(and the subsequent disasters that may come.) This characteristic, by the way, was the first one Michelle and I came up with.

Faith. In order to instill faith, we must have faith, but also have the faith to base our decisions on gospel truths.

Example. We cannot teach what we do not do. If you have the characteristics (of faith, patience, charity, humility...) it will instill in our children the desire to also have those characteristics.

Three of us also came up with the trait of integrity. The number one definition to not be a hypocrite. Follow through. Do what you say you will do and be what you say you are (which also involves discipline of yourself.)

And, finally understanding our divine nature, as well as the divine nature of our children. Having a vision of our children's potential, which Justin stated, a vision that brings her greater love and patience for the child, but does not lead her to interfere in the child's decisions, does not lead to manipulation.

Also mentioned were: a sense of the sacred, creativity, endurance.

Well, there you have it. Words from the experienced and wise. How are we doing?