The Family Under Stress is a chapter my class has studied.  My teacher, Brother Williams, stated, “Crisis is best viewed as an opportunity paired with danger;  as the term implies our response to these moments are critical for our further success.” I thought that his definition of a crisis was very accurate.  I would adjust it in a small way by saying sometimes stress does not happen for just a moment, and that sometime that moment is stretched for months or years.  It was also humbling to hear classmates share personal experiences of family tragedy.  We discussed the different coping methods that different people use to deal with the stressors, and the best way to respond effectively.

The topic for my Family Relations class has been Sexual Intimacy and Family Life. In this chapter we discussed keeping marriage safe against violation, and teaching children about sexuality. The topic did not seem new to me because I have seen my parents use guard rails to protect their marriage. One particular example was when I was maybe eight or nine, and my family had eaten dinner with the sister missionaries. Afterwards my Dad asked me to come in the car to give them a ride home. I was confused, but I agreed. My Dad later told me that it was a general rule for my parents to not ride alone in the car with someone of the opposite gender. Little rules can make a big difference in marriage. In my class we also discussed the importance of teaching children. I think it would be more difficult to learn about sexuality on the school bus rather than at home. We discussed the benefits of talking to kids earlier rather than later, and being open so kids can feel comfortable asking questions.