The class we are born into doesn't have to be the class we stay in. While thinking of what class I want to be in I have taken into consideration the class I was raised in. I grew up in the middle class. I learned how to work hard and respect other people. I liked that I was never just handed things. I had to work for everything I got. This is something I want my future children to learn. If they learn how to work hard and respect other people they will be able to make it in the real world. Hard work and respect can go a long ways.

Families seem to work in a pattern. Sometimes we think we can't break this patter. Kind of like we are stuck in a never ending cycle. This is NOT true. We are stronger than we think. I know from personal experience that I can break the cycle and create a better future for my family. I didn't grow up with a good mother figure. I saw myself taking on the role of the mother in my household. Now that I am an adult and preparing myself for the future, I have taken the opportunity to look at other people's families. Doing this helps me get a better understanding on what kind of family I want to have. I know that no one has a perfect family, but there are families out there that work. I want my family to be one of those. I not only look at these other families, I also study the principles behind the family. Knowing the things that can help a family succeed will be beneficial in the future. So if you are feeling discouraged by the way your family is, don't give up hope. You can make a better future for yourself!

Sometimes we find ourselves misinterpreting situations. This can lead to problems which then lead to broken relationships. If we want to keep relationships we just need to learn how to communicate. How much easier would it be to just say what you are thinking instead of assuming the other person should know. I know I tend to misinterpret things all the time. I am slowly getting better at communicating with my friends and family. With  both of my sisters I had this problem. It wasn't until last year I started reforming a relationship with them both. It's not a one sided thing. Once one person has misinterpreted something the other person is bound to do the same. So until the truth about how each person truly feels and wants is laid down, problems can't be solved. This week I have challenged myself to talk to my family and friends and understand them better so our relationships can thrive. This is something we all can do! So if you are having problems with someone, go talk to them and see if you can figure out what the real problem is because it might just be a simple misinterpretation issue.

While learning about some of the trends that can harm the family divorce is one of the ones I have personal experience with. Being from a divorced family I know some of the consequences that go along with it. The children do suffer in these situations. I was able to overcome the trials I had to go through, but because of the choices my mom made I don't know how to have a successful family. I know the things that I need to do, but I have no personal experience to say that what I think will work, will actually work. I'm not saying all children from divorced families will turn out confused and lost and more likely to fail in their future relationships. But I don't want people to think divorce isn't a serious problem. It not only hurts the people in the immediate family, but it also negatively affects the friends of the family as well. I see divorce as a disease. It keeps spreading and killing families. Something needs to be done to stop the spread of this horrible disease.

Hello my name is Shelby and I have made this blog for my Family Relations class. I think it will be very interesting to read my fellow classmates blogs. I am planning on majoring in psychology. I hope to one day become a Child Psychologist, so I thought that this class would help me to better understand the workings of families and help prepare me for my future. This is my second semester at BYU-I. I am a recent convert to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I learn something new every day. My dad and I are the only ones who got baptized in my family. My parents have been divorced since I was just a little girl. When I was fourteen I decided to move in with my dad full time and when I was sixteen I got baptized into this lovely church. I don't see much of my mom or other siblings anymore. My older sister is married and lives in Washington, my younger sister just recently moved back into my dads house, and I can only see my younger brother when he is with his dad.
I am thankful for my family and my trials. Both have strengthened my testimony. I am grateful for the little  bit of time I am able to spend with each of my siblings. I hope some of the things I share can help you.