Comments on: FHE Poll

By: Jessie T.

Jessie T. — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 16:11:21 +0000

We hold FHE on Monday nights. Well, we try to, anyway. Or at least I try to.

Some nights I manage to get my husband to actually close the top of the laptop and pretend to pay attention. Most nights he just keeps on going with whatever he’s doing on the computer.

My oldest is only 3, so FHE is about 10 minutes long. We use the FHE manual and have a short story and look at some pictures of Baptism, making correct choices, lying, etc. Sometimes we play a game. Most nights we just have a closing prayer and get a lollypop for a treat.

I imagine we’ll expand as the kids get older to a real song, prayer, lesson, spiritual thought and treat format.

By: Coffinberry

Coffinberry — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 14:10:25 +0000

Whoops. Meant to say the above story took place on a Tuesday night.

By: Coffinberry

Coffinberry — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 14:09:23 +0000

We are in the downsizing phase, with half the kids gone, and only a 10 & 14 year old at home. We have regularly had FHE since the missionary was a baby. This fall has presented a bit of a challenge, since it marks the first year of full-time employment for me, and especially since the 14y-o is in a drivers-ed class on monday nights from 6-9 pm. Sundays haven’t always worked, either, thanks to too many firesides or choir practices, etc.

But two weeks ago, when we missed having FHE on Sunday and Monday, my husband and I were clearing the table from supper, when the 10 year old arrived with a package of cookies from the storeroom and the 14 year old with a wite-board marker. “We are having family home evening,” they said. So I led a song, and daddy said a prayer. The 14 year old taught us about how following the signs keeps us safe (a variation from his drivers-ed class) and the 10 year old handed out treats. Then we played hide-the-thimble.

By: Pam W.

Pam W. — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 03:38:43 +0000

After reading the other comments, perhaps I should have voted “yes” instead of “no” — we don’t manage every Monday, but if we have dinner at Grandma and Grandpa’s, I’d say that counts even without a lesson. As for “formal” lessons — they are seriously about 2 minutes long, with a song and always with treats (treats are what keep the kids quiet and at the table while I talk; my son has autism and these things are a challenge even without autism).

When I was growing up, my family had periods where we had it every Monday, and other periods when it fell by the wayside. Normal, in other words, I’d say.

By: Nathan

Nathan — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 02:13:44 +0000

Every week except when I’m working nights. Our most successful lesson scheme was learning the articles of faith songs from the Children’s Songbook. Amazingly simple. If a kid can learn I Am a Child of God, they can learn 13 other songs (I admit some melodies are weird, but it works). Now our 7, 5, and 2 year olds know them. We also always have announcements where we review the week and everyone knows what is going on for the upcoming week.

By: denebug

denebug — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 01:46:18 +0000

Family night is much easier to hold regularly with the kids constantly reminding us “It’s Monday night!!!” We sing lots of songs around the piano, usually read a chapter out of the scriptures, and then spend the bulk of the time reading poetry and stories. Right now we’re in Norse mythology for the story. We’ve also done Greek myths and the Iliad and Odyssey, and the Ramayana. Next up is Beowulf again. I guess it’s more a Family Humanities Evening, but it’s what works with for us. We do get fun discussions.

By: Tracy M

Tracy M — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 23:21:26 +0000

Oh, how I try. And oh, how I fail miserable most weeks. I do know people who do it without fail, and who do it like we’re supposed to- it’s just an uphill battle in my home. Getting three little kids to pay attention after dinner, school, homework and all that rigamarole is darn near impossible.

I know, I know, argue for your limitation and all that…

By: Jon W

Jon W — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 22:57:23 +0000

I would say it was not difficult when we had two kids but now with six, I mostly just want them in bed.

Our version is watching America’s Funniest Home Videos together. (My wife thinks Simpsons too crude.)

By: Kylie

Kylie — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 21:39:27 +0000

Are you threatening me? With what, exactly?

You’re losing, but not by much.

By: Steve Evans

Steve Evans — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 21:29:45 +0000

Peter, see the title of my last post.