Comments on: Out of the Chaos: Hard Work

By: Sandra Mendenhall Davis

Sandra Mendenhall Davis — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 03:40:35 +0000

Just a little note about that yard work…when you lived in Northridge you did have someone coming over to cut your lawn and trim your bushes and such. But even then, you didn’t hire the best. You hired young men from the church. One of those young men earned enough money to go on a mission and when he returned he built up his own landscaping business. He was a somewhat timid young man and I truly believe he might never have started his business if you hadn’t been so encouraging to him, if you hadn’t shown him you believed in him and taught him what to do. In fact, I remember that a second young man, much stronger and more popular told him that he would never be as good a gardener as the popular fella was. Turns out, the popular fella got tired of working. The one you coaxed along kept at it because you believed in him. So, you not only influenced your children thru yard work, you influenced others that needed a little help. Oh, and did I mention that I was one of those that you helped? I don’t even want to think what my life would have been like without the love, encouragement and guidance of you and your wife during the 9 months I was blessed to live with you! I had no idea how normal families functioned and yet you put up with me and showed me thru example how healthy families work together. Thank you forever.

By: Carolyn

Carolyn — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 21:47:39 +0000

I think this website and your children and grandchildren our living proof of that your method of parenting, while these days may be considered “old school” is effective and fruitful. I didn’t come from as big a family, but I had a mother that knew the value of hard work and passed it on to her children. God Bless You and Your Family!

By: Laura

Laura — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 01:06:59 +0000

I am so happy and relieved to read this, it made me laugh and also made me realize that I am not the only one who feels like giving up when teaching my kids to work at things. I am constantly frustrated at their seemingly low work ethic, and always have to remind myself that THIS is how they build a work ethic. Thank you again for this article, it was the shot in the arm I needed to keep going! And I only have 3 kids!!

By: Sarah Stearman

Sarah Stearman — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 15:57:17 +0000

I believe completely in the way you raised your children. I came from a family of 8 and the only way we survived, was having reponsibility our parents gave us. Too many parents today think they are helping their children by doing everything for them. My Two year old has more reponsibility then most teenagers these days and he’s going to have a leg up in the real world. Thank you for sharing your story.

By: Eliza Porter

Eliza Porter — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 19:03:47 +0000

Wow,
I came from a family of 10 in a ward with 4 other families of 10. What a feat you overcame and how awesome that you were deliberate in raising them well.