M E R I D I A N     M A G A Z I N E

The Extended Family Home Evening
By Fay A. Klingler

This holiday season, some of you might be in the same situation that Mary Jurgaitis found herself last year — health problems preventing her from joining the family get-together. I love Mary’s proactive ideas.

Since we couldn't be with our families, we took pictures with our digital camera of us doing things about the house — like eating our holiday dinner. In each picture we waved. We sent the pictures via e-mail to our families so we could be with them in that little way.
There is a possibility that may happen again this year. Plus our families are starting to spread out, making the holiday gathering with them impossible. We will do the same thing this year for our spread-out families, only try to be more creative. I realize lots of people use their cell phones to send pictures. We don't have that luxury. Besides, the pictures sent over the Internet can fill the whole screen. Plus you can add captions.

Mary said this year she might do pictures making it look like she and her husband are sitting across the table from the person they are sending the pictures to. Perhaps they will send pictures showing them “slaving over a hot stove,” carving the meat, or cutting the pie.

If, on the other hand, you are blessed to be in good health and have your family close, consider now, or the first of the year, inviting your family to an extended family home evening where you discuss the family road map to success. In your planning to present a success kit or road map, what would you include?

Of course the first item would be desire followed by proper actions, providing a righteous example with personal obedience to gospel principles. Even with that firm foundation, however, there is no guarantee of an easy life free of problems, or an assurance that your children will automatically follow your example. So put a giant red star in front of item number two — earnestly seek the Lord’s help. Your chances for success will be greatly increased. And then, despite what your children or grandchildren do, never give up!

Brookie Dickerson, Diana Ralphs, and my husband, Larry, helped me put together some ideas using traffic signs. You could make footprints from construction paper, and tape them to the floor of your house in a path, leading from one sign to the next. Prepare a number of signs so there are enough for every grandchild. Tell them how many signs to look for, and ask them to follow the path until they find every sign. Each grandchild could then choose his or her favorite sign to read in front of your group. Ask them to explain why they made that choice.

Here are a few examples of possible road signs.

  1. Stop — Don’t become a casualty. Take the time to stop for personal prayer.

  1. Give Way — Be sensitive to the whisperings of the Spirit.

  1. Travel Info — Tune in to the scriptures. Hang on to the iron rod—the word of God.

  1. Keep Right — Follow the prophet.

  1. Reserved Parking — Family prayer held here each morning and evening.

  1. Detour — Avoid dangerous paths. Take the safe route.

  1. Railroad Crossing — Look both ways and take notice of your blessings.

  1. No Passing Zone — Stay on the Lord’s side.

  1. Traffic Light — Move forward in faith and back it up with action.

Note that prayer, listening to the Spirit, and reading the scriptures are at the top of the list. Those three items are critical for your family’s success.

Other signs you might consider:

  1. Enter — Family Home Evening zone each Monday.
  2. Caution — The family 72-hour kit may be needed this year.
  3. Wrong Way — There is no right way to do a wrong thing.
  4. Construction — Build an attitude of happiness.
  5. Speed Limit — Slow down and enjoy the journey.
  6. Littering Unlawful — The Lord’s house is a house of order.
  7. Blind Curve Ahead — Life requires faith as you approach and can’t see beyond the curves.
  8. Bridge Under Construction — The way you live can build a bridge for your family and friends, helping them avoid wrong choices.
  9. Turn on Your Headlights — Follow the light, the commandments, and the prophet.

Here are a few other items you might consider placing on road signs:

  • Attend church no matter what block schedule you are assigned — keep the Sabbath Day holy.
  • Act — don’t just react.
  • Cast away fear and lean on Heavenly Father.
  • Pay tithing.
  • Act with integrity; live correct principles.
  • Slow down; be quiet, and remember specific times you felt Heavenly Father’s comfort, love, and guidance.
  • Trust lovingly, allowing others to exercise their agency to choose right or wrong and to accept the consequences.
  • Acknowledge and assume your role in any situation, including repenting for past wrongdoing.
  • Make decisions right now about proper conduct.
  • Honor and respect the priesthood.
  • Honor and respect womanhood.
  • Avoid and dismiss thoughts that might tempt you to do wrong.
  • Obey the word of wisdom.

Perhaps you’d like to make up traffic signs that pertain to your family specifically. The Internet is a wonderful resource for traffic sign ideas. Two websites that may be helpful are: http://www.safetysign.com/ and http://images.google.com/images?q=traffic+signs&hl=en&lr=
&rls=GGLD,GGLD:2005-14,GGLD:en&sa=X&oi= images&ct=title.

If your grandchildren are older, you could make up a number of traffic signs without success hints printed on them and ask the grandchildren to make up hints for your signs.

Consider involving your friends and neighbors and turn the extended Family Home Evening into a road rally. Ask your grandchildren to make and bring with them a poster board steering wheel. You then provide clues that guide them to different neighbors’ homes (within walking distance). The children “drive” themselves (using their steering wheels) to gather the family success road signs from the neighbors. Make the road signs small, and include a tie or loop, enabling the grandchildren to fasten the signs to the steering wheel. The first grandchild back to your house, having his or her steering wheel filled with all the proper signs, receives a special memento of the activity.

I have enjoyed writing this grandparenting column. This is the seventeenth article. I’ve loved your responses and learned a great deal from you — wonderful, Meridian readers. But alas, due to health problems, I have decided this is my last article.

If you missed any of the articles and would like the links, send me an e-mail (fay@klingler.com) and I will respond with the list. You will find many more ideas in The LDS Grandparents’ Idea Book. That book has been a bestseller and loved by grandparents across the nation. Many of you have encouraged me to consider writing a supplement. I may do that in the future. If you have ideas you want to share or a specific subject regarding grandparenting you would appreciate more information on, let me know.

Thank you again for your wonderful comments and association.

Most sincerely,
Fay Klingler

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