Father's and Finances

This week’s lesson was on Fathers and Finances. This is a subject that is not talked about a lot simply because of all the different views on this topic. I believe that this topic is something that every couple should talk about before they are getting married. It encompasses roles of the parents, the path you and your spouse will take, and what your guys’ goals and wants are for the future. Not only should you talk about it before getting married, but it should be something that is talked about consistently throughout your life with your husband and wives.

To start off, I would like to give a quote by Thomas S. Monson. He says, “we do live in turbulent times. Often the future is unknown; therefore, it behooves us to prepare for uncertainties. Statistics reveal that at some time, for a variety of reasons, you may find yourself in the role of financial provider. I urge you to pursue your education and learn marketable skills so that, should such a situation arise, you are prepared to provide.” This is one of the most important things to me and my significant other. I think that it is important to be prepared for anything to come. It is important to gain an education to be prepared to support a family with whatever happens, especially for the male. 

In The Family: A Proclamation to the World, it explains that a father’s role is to preside over the family in love and righteousness and the mothers are primarily responsible for nurture of the children. However, I think that it is also important to mention that it says other circumstances may necessitate this individual adaptation. It is important for us to remember that the Lord has a plan for us and our different circumstances can still lead us to accomplish what the Lord has in plan for families.

In the article, Staying at Home: How to Downsize from Dual to Single Income, Michael De Groote says, “in today’s economy, many households are cutting back from a dual income to a single income – whether by choice like Jonni McCoy or because of economic realities like layoffs. The success of such transitions depends on several common factors and plans.” This quote helps us remember that when you cut your income down to one provider, there are major considerations to be made, whether it be by choice or not. One of the most important things to remember is that we must not spend the same amount of money as when we had two incomes. This is something that is hard to adjust to, so it must take planning for the future if you are planning on having children or cutting down one of the providers.

In the article Does a Full Time Homemaker Swap Her Mind for a Mop Dennis Prager says, “the intellectual input she can find is likely to be greater than most women (or men) find working outside of the home.” This article explains that when a women is a stay at home mother, her education is not “down the drain.” As a woman, it is my biggest goal to become a stay at home mother. I am in college and receiving a major. However, I do not think that doing this and then staying at home with my future children is a waste of time. Furthering our education is important for reasons like home schooling our children/helping them with their homework, have knowledge about financial stability, taxes, interest, etc., and having a knowledge of how to help out children through all the stages of their lives. This article is very interesting and I definitely recommend reading into it. 

Links: 

http://www.dennisprager.com/does-a-full-time-homemaker-swap-her-mind-for-a-mop/

https://www.deseretnews.com/article/765556846/Staying-at-home-How-to-downsize-from-dual-to-single-income.html