Real Moms Speak Out:  Heart to Heart

Counsel with the Lord

by Doreen Blanding

I remember the day I brought my first baby home from the hospital. It was a birth that nearly killed him, but he survived and we got to bring him home. 

My mom was waiting there to help me. As the week wore on and I started to physically feel better I asked my mom a question. "Mom, what is the *one* piece of parenting advice you can give me?" 

She was holding the Dr. Mom book (great book, like a Dr. Spock) and said it is in the book. I thought she meant the book she was holding, (my mom is never without a book in her hands). She put the book down went to the table and picked up my scriptures and turned to Alma 37:36-37 (look it up). 

"Counsel with the Lord..." She went on to tell me that it didn't matter how many "Doctors" (medical or other) you go to, you are the child's parent and have been given special gifts to know how to best help that child. I honestly believe the best parenting help is found on our knees--and sometimes as we are holding an errant child in our lap.

The Lord may direct us to books, doctors, lecturers, friends, family or others to solve our problems, and then again, He may let us figure it out on our own. Many times I have gone to Him with specific problems and had to wait for my time table to meet His and receive the answer I needed. We also have to remember the answer given may not be to our liking.

Of course I have a special sweet testimony of the power of prayer. I haven't moved mountains (no need yet), but I have prayed a car get home without a starter, prayed to find that soccer shirt just before we head out the door, prayed that my baby's fever would break long enough to make it home to see a doctor (we were 20 hours away from home) and more importantly prayed to solve little parenting problems.

Sometimes He has directed me to someone else for help and sometimes He tells me in the "quiet" moments how to help my boys with their problems. Remember all we have to do is "Ask, and it shall be given unto you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you." (3 Nephi 14:7) Also James 1:5. It worked for Joseph Smith, why not me?

Always with a prayer in her heart, Doreen