Paranoid Parents

Have you ever been called a paranoid parent? I have. As well as an overprotective parent, helicopter parent, etc. I have some thoughts on this.


Elder Ringwood of the Quorum of the Seventy from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints spoke on Joseph, son of Jacob in the Old Testament. I think parents can learn a great deal from his teachings on the story of Joseph.

If you remember the story of Joseph, his brothers sold him into slavery. They were jealous of their father‘s attention to Joseph. Before they sold him into slavery however, his brothers actually wanted to kill him. It was his brother Judah who suggested that they instead sell him into slavery. Judah saved Joseph’s life. 

Later in the story, these same brothers are traveling to Egypt and the same Judah promises their dad, Jacob, that he will keep the new youngest son, Benjamin, safe. In Egypt, Judah’s promise was put to the test. Young Benjamin was wrongly accused of a crime. Judah, true to his promise, offered to be jailed in Benjamin’s place. “For,” he said, “how shall I go up to my father, and the lad be not with me?” (Genesis 44:33–34). Judah was determined to keep his promise and return Benjamin safely.

I resígnate with this story so much. I feel so much my need to protect and care for my children. I don’t feel that I am overprotective or so hovering that I am hurting them. But I do take my role as their parent, role model, protector and example very seriously. I can feel Judah and his stress and care for his brother. I can feel his responsibility in my soul. 

No matter who you are or your current circumstances, someone feels exactly this way about you. Someone wants to return to Heavenly Father with you. And that is our Savior. I know He is working in your life and mine everyday to help us return to our Father. 

And Christ actually gave his life to bring us home. 

So if you’re called those names, maybe take it as a chance to share the story of Judah. Because we as parents are tasked with the accountability of helping our children make it back to their eternal home while they are kept within the walls of our earthly home. It’s a big deal. 

God speed to you and your kiddos!    

#doctrineandcovenants58:3







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