March 2009 Sharing Time, Week 3
I will Obey My Parents
References: Exodus 20:12; Colossians 3:20; GP, chapter 37
Play a simple game of Simon Says, but altered to Mother Say and Father Says. Tell the children you are going to tell them to do certain things. If you nod your head as you say them (and act them out) they are to obey you. If you shake your head no as you say it, they must sit down. Do this just for a few minutes, and don’t let it get silly. Choose things that can be easily acted out, such as sweeping the floor, rocking the baby, or picking up toys. Finish with a no, so they are sitting down. Praise them for obeying their parents so well.
Ask some of the children to tell you things they did in the past day or so to obey their parents or whoever is raising them. Why do they think parents tell children to do things? (To teach them to take care of themselves and be responsible, to keep them safe, to help them learn the gospel.) Do they think their home would be very nice if children never obeyed their parents? (Some will think that sounds great, so help them see the possible consequences.)
Music Time: Quickly I’ll Obey. Other songs about family life.
Sharing Time: Prepare some slips of paper with possible generic responses to parental requests for help. For instance:
“I’d love to help!”
“I don’t want to. I’m too tired.”
“I’m busy. Ask someone else.”
“Sure. You’ve been working hard today. It’s time for me to help out.”
“I’ll be right there. What else can I do after that?”
Place these in a bag. Now prepare another bag with requests, such as:
“Could you please set the table?”
“Would you watch the baby while I make dinner?”
“I need someone to pick up all the toys in the living room.”
Invite two children to come up. One chooses from the parent bag and one from the child bag. (You might want to use a picture on each to show which is which.) Let them read and act out their questions or answers. Ask the children to raise their hands and smile if the answer is the one Heavenly Father wants them to give and to fold their arms, frown, and shake their heads if it’s a bad choice.
In Junior Primary, you might want to let the children practice responding positively to parental requests. Exaggerated answers sometimes stay with them more. Say, “Would you please set the table?” “Oh, yes, Mother. I’d love to. It always makes me so happy to help you.” (Say it in an over the top way to make it fun, but don’t let it get too silly.)
Post wordstrips that say, “Rules that keep me safe.” “Rules that make our home nicer.” “Rules that help me live the gospel.” Ask the children to suggest rules parents might make for each category and to explain why it’s a good rule.
Music Time: Review the songs learned this month so far.
Sharing Time: Family Christmas Coupons,” Friend, Dec 2001, 24 has coupons for things children can do to make their homes nicer. Instead of using the fancy ones, hand out a sheet made from the list. Let the children decorate them on their own and give them to people at home. Suggest they hand out one whenever they see someone who looks like they could use a gift, or leave them on pillows or at each seat at the dinner table.
Check out this great source of modest clothing for women!
