Okay, I seriously do not know where January went! Maybe you feel the same. I've been away from home a lot this month. With that, I've missed FHE with the family. It makes me feel a little disconnected from the kids. 

I happen to really like FHE but it hasn't always been that way. For one, I didn't really know why it was done. And two, I didn't have FHE as a kid so I didn't know how it was done. Then three, I lacked motivation to get it done. 

I believed there were blessings to be had from having FHE so I did a few things. First, I joined a FHE group of about 5 women where we each made part of a lesson. For example, I'd make 5 lessons, or 5 activities, or 5 songs. We met regularly so FHE was always on my mind and having others to be accountable to made sure it got done. It helped a ton. Then I made a plan of topics that I wanted to talk about and teach. When I had a topic already in mind I would get excited to teach it.

I can't be in a FHE group with you but I can help you (and me) to continue to parent deliberately. Here is a FHE Planner for February to download. Some topic ideas are at the bottom of the page to get you started. If you need some of our other ideas you can go here.

After having FHE for over 20 years with our family I now understand the wisdom of the counsel. Here's a little extra motivation from the prophet.

Do you have a FHE idea for February to share with us?

Here is a quick little visual about tips for teaching youth. Info adapted from lds.org. I love that preparation doesn't just apply to having handouts (which you know I LOVE!), or setting up the room, but that preparation applies to having rules and a mutual respect for everyone in the classroom. 

Including everyone is as simple as asking each person one thing that made them happy that week--just remind them to keep it brief, especially if you have a large class! 

Sharing is always fun. I ask the young women after reading a scripture or story, "Have you ever had an experience like this?" and almost always the answer is yes! It's great to hear them apply the doctrine in their lives. 

Calling the youth by name is a great way to help everyone pay attention. It helps them realize that you expect participation from them and makes them feel important. Because they are!

Listening is huge. When your youth answer a question, acknowledge that they have done so. There is nothing worse ignoring a person who responds to your query. A simple, "good job" doesn't cut it. Allow room for discussion; ask them, "How did that make you feel?" or something similar. Don't immediately move on to the next thing. Respond to what they said, and if possible tie it into the lesson by saying something like, "I like that because it applies..." or "We are talking about that next in this scripture...." or "Can anyone think of another example like this?"

Challenging the youth is my next favorite. Challenge them to choose one thing from the doctrine to apply in their lives throughout the coming week. Have them write it down!

What else do you find helpful? PS. These tips can also be applied to your adult classes! 

More Tabletop Toasting.

Here's a nestible, Ring Thing for you.

Parties are everywhere right now. This might be something that works for you. Tabletop toasting.

Add Toppings. 
Mini Chocolate Chips. Caramel Sundae Sauce. Chocolate Covered Toffee Bits. Chocolate Sundae Sauce. Chopped Nuts.

Here's a nestible, Ring Thing for you.

Update 4/2019:
There's been so much trouble with the free download site that I've put this on my 
 ShannonsStudio.com Etsy business site for $3. Hope this helps

Contention. I hate it. Ironic huh? 

Contention is a part of what happens in families but something we all try to stop in our homes. I was thinking about it and what I could do to help our family lessen it when I came across Gordon B. Hinckley's quote - 

Compliments. How easy. I thought this would be a super first step for me to take. And then I had this idea (the Boyfriend calls me "the idea woman"). I could make little Compliment kits. I love kits. (You can see a collection of kits on my Pinterest board.) 

I was heading down for a trip that some of our family had planned when we had Leila's funeral. We also decided to do devotionals when we got together. I wanted to do the compliment kits for them as part of mine. Here's what's inside and how we use it.

I really like how they turned out. I Mod Podge® fabric to the outside of an Altoid® tin. Inside, I added some fun things. Here's the nestibles for you. Print. Cut. Put together.

Here's a FHE lesson to help talk about with your family. 

You'll have to tell us what you think and any of your experiences in using it.