A small confession: I don't read parenting books.
It is *not* because I presume to know everything about parenting. It is *not* because I feel like I have a handle on this whole "mom" thing. It is *not* because I don't stay up at night worrying, fretting, hoping, crying, and praying that my children are not developing as they should. It is *not* because I haven't had those terribly depressing moments where I think I am somehow not doing enough for these little boys.
I fret, I worry, I cry, I pray.
The reason I chose to stop worrying about parenting books is because awhile back, in the midst of one of those terribly depressing moments, I heard some advice from Elder M. Russell Ballard of the LDS church:
"To parents everywhere, my counsel is simple: Get a copy of 'The Family: A Proclamation to the World.' Read it and strive to align your marriage and your family to its inspired, revealed direction from the Lord. Then be the very best and act the very best you can. God will give you strength beyond your own as you strive daily to fulfill the most sacred mortal responsibility He gives to His children. Listen to the voice of the Spirit and the counsel of the living prophets. Be of good cheer. God did not place you on earth to fail, and your efforts as parents will not be counted as failure unless you give up."
I feel like this advice is the best out there for young mothers.
Not that you shouldn't arm yourself with tools to overcome difficult situations. I love finding new advice on how to handle different situations. It is helpful to read information on problems I can't seem to overcome. It is relieving to discuss parenting with fellow women and know that they have the same problems I do. Even after reading all of the best parenting books.
So, I chose (am choosing) to put my worries aside as best I can. If my children don't speak three languages by pre-school, I guess I can deal with that. If my boys can't walk and talk as well as other children their age, I could deal with that as well. If it turns out, their learning progression turns out to be a long-term problem, I can deal with that as well. What I *can't* deal with, is knowing I failed to do what the Lord has asked me to in taking care of his precious children.
For me, this is the *BEST* advice because it comes from the *BEST* parent, a loving Father in Heaven.
To read the entire talk, go here: www.lds.org/liahona/2006/03/the-sacred-responsibilities-of-parenthood?lang=eng&auery-ballard+role+parent
