Sweet Sunday Sweet

         Newsflash, Malachi and I are amateur parents and we are learning how to do this every single day. On the job training at its finest. We feel inadequate, but we're trying very hard to be good parents. 

        Well we realized a little while ago that we didn't do the best job teaching our kids about the Sabbath. We laid it out very pharisaical. Lots of rules, lots of to-do's. But we were definitely missing the blessings and the delight of the Sabbath.

        While trying to figure out how to fix our mistake, we discussed that we needed a tradition of some sort that would help our kids love Sundays and look forward to them. So we decided to start a Sunday Tradition called Sweet Sunday Sweets! It was catchy and sounded fun and doable and sustainable. It's just that on Sundays we get to have a special family dessert after church. I know, so simple, maybe bad for our health lol, but we prayed about it and felt good about it. 

        So we started it! We discuss it on Saturdays and make sure we have all the ingredients. We all have to agree on it and sometimes take turns on who really gets to pick it. This has been half the fun, just planning it!

        And guess what... Our kids have genuinely enjoyed Sundays more! They often tell people what our Sweet Sunday Sweet was or what it is going to be. I haven't argued with Saia, my 3 year old in weeks about getting ready for church. Right at this very moment, we have been home from church for almost 3 hours. When we first got home I asked Saia if he wanted to take off his tie and he said no and he still has it on right now. My two older kids have both been incredible positive about the talk of Sundays in our house now. It's sad to admit, but my son would dread Sundays because we wouldn't allow certain things and that was what he focused on. Now he will ask me if it's Sunday and loves it when it is so we can have a fun dessert together. And I am so happy about that.

        Yes, the Sweet Sunday Sweet isn't what Sunday's are really about. It's about setting a day apart to remember our Savior, our covenants, and our family. But to be honest, to me, it is accomplishing all three of those things in small ways. 

        So here is to parenting the best we can and creating new game plans often, to compensate for our lack of experience. We never truly fail unless we stop trying. I think the fruit of a good parent is one who is learning right along their kids, offering love and forgiveness to them and to themselves. 

        May you see what is lacking or needing an adjustment in your family. Then prayerfully make a new game plan and be sure to follow through. Don't give up! Don't be afraid to admit when you've done wrong. We have the best parent of all time, our Heavenly Father, on our side. He will teach us and guide us.