BYU-Idaho holds home and family conference

REXBURG, Idaho — “Stand steadfast and immovable … opening our hearts to understanding” (Mosiah 5:15) was the theme for the Home and Family Conference on March 13, co-sponsored by the BYU-Idaho Department of Home and Family and the Department of Alumni and Community Connections.

The conference consisted of more than 40 informative classes on topics centered on home and family. Some of the topics included coupon shopping, family recreation, understanding teenagers and managing a budget.

Shirley Klein, associate director and faculty member of the BYU School of Family Life, opened the event as the keynote speaker. She spoke about four things people can do in order to stand steadfast and immovable in the world today.

First, we need to discover and preserve a sacred nature in our homes. She read the definition of the word "sacred," which is: belonging to or dedicated to God, must not be violated or perpetrated. She also emphasized the importance of eating a home-cooked meal together as a family at least once a day.

Second, Klein said we need to develop spiritual strength in the daily activities in our homes. We need to understand that our actions have consequences and should act accordingly.

“The things we do in our homes reflect on who we become in this life and the next,” Klein said.

Third, we need to create strength by growing closer to Christ and letting his light reflect on us as individuals. When we prove faithful in the little things, the bigger things will be added on.

And fourth, we need to be deliberate about protecting daily activities. Though we need to be flexible and heed to the needs of the different family members, we also need to be intentional about what we’re going to do in the home, she said.

After Klein finished her addresses, the conference was split into different classrooms with different teachers.

Among the classes was “Work and Play Together to Stay Together,” taught by Kevin and Kristen Galbraith. Kevin is a professor at BYU-Idaho while Kristen is a stay-at-home mother for their nine children. The couple talked about the importance of playing as well as working together as a family. They believe that play equals intentional hard work.

“When we realize the value of work and play and utilize it with our children, we are creating a relationship, and it’s through that relationship that we’ll influence our children,” Kristen said.

Ninettte Galbraith, a stay-at-home mother of five, taught another class called “Manage Finances Before They Manage You.” She discussed the importance of organizing a budget and spending money wisely.

“It doesn’t matter how smart you are or how much money you have," Galbraith said. "If you don’t have a disciplinary schedule, you can’t get ahead."

She said she has separate accounts for all of her spending needs and wants, and each paycheck is divided accordingly. Some of the different accounts are for insurance, vacation, schooling, Christmas, new car, missionary fund and savings. She says this makes it easier for her to know where her money is going, and she can build up the accounts slowly rather than drawing out large amounts from her main account when she needs the money at the time.

Galbraith also emphasized the importance of protecting yourself and being prepared. She discussed different insurance policies that will help take care of you if your spouse passes away or you get in an accident. She also discussed different emergency preparedness plans. She said it’s important to have your important financial documents in a place that makes them easy to find in case of a natural disaster.

Byron Webster, a professor at BYU-Idaho, taught another class about teaching children. He joked about how hard parenting can be.

"If you have a headache, follow what it says on the Asprin bottles: Take two pills and KEEP AWAY FROM CHILDREN."

Webster says parents can improve their parenting styles if they’ll just think deeply about their values and let their values flow through them as they teach their children.

He said we can help teach our children by adapting the environment to the child. The home is like a temple because it’s a spiritual environment, a place to learn and grow. Everyone needs to move at the rate of the slowest person.

To learn more about the conference and the classes offered, visit www.byui.edu/ce/homeandfamily.