“In healthy, well functioning families, there is a clear hierarchy between parents and children.

Parents are the “executive committee” and the “board of directors” of a family. As with any other leadership position, parents should not be harsh, domineering, or dictatorial, but they are the leaders of the family, and the children need to follow that leadership.” (Who Is the Boss? Power Relationships in Families,Richard B. Miller, PhD) I really liked how they said the children are the board of directors. I feel like family councils and spouse inventories are very important. I think you need to make sure that your checking and validating people’s feelings. I also think when you add your children in your decisions then they feel more included.

I think during these councils you can discuss family matters like decisions. But you can also take the time to talk about what activities you will be doing this week. I think it helps the child be a little more responsible by remembering what they have planned. Of course, the parents should have all the information before hand but its good for the siblings to know what else is going on.

“He placed in men and women from the beginning a desire to be joined together as man and wife forever to dwell in families in a perfect, righteous union. He placed in His children a desire to live at peace with all those around them.” (That We May Be One, Elder Henry B. Eyring). I am so grateful for my companionship with my wife. I think you can truly so the divine nature of marriage when your married and sealed in the temple. There is just a desire to serve each other and strengthen one another. Sometimes there are hard times that you may not feel that way. But if you bring Christ as the center of your marriage then that love, and respect will enter your marriage again. God put us into families with mothers and fathers because he knew we need the love a marriage could bring and that families would bring to us.