When you see a happy family out in public, whether it's at Costco, the zoo, church, in a restaurant at a campground, wherever, does it warm your heart and help you know that all is well and going to continue to be good?
Because our brains are wired to look for what's wrong (they've been that way for millions of years and are slow to change) we can tend to let the dysfunctional families stick out.
If there is harmony in the home, there will be order in the nation.
Children with no boundaries are going to get our attention hanging on the railing around the polar bears, or running through stores and restaurants either unattended or void of parents who discipline such behavior, than the children who happily stay within the family unit and display the good behavior that requires endless guidance.
I received an email from Brenda Lovell, who told me that my sister's and my books had helped her 
as a mother of nine girls. A mother of nine girls! When you read a sentence like that, does it blow your mind? Nine (9) girls? How did she do it? Thank goodness she included a photo of her family and allowed me to share it with you!
When I first looked at the picture, the father was the one who caught my eye. He looked so proud and happy and perhaps a little dazed by the amount of estrogen in the air. This man must be very close to saint hood.
Then Brenda caught my eye. She looked lovely, poised, peaceful and way too young to have had nine babies. I wonder if she has a single stretch mark. As you look at each beautiful happy face, you won't find one woman in the bunch, who isn't lovely. You all know it takes work to turn babies into good citizens. It also takes time, courage and faith! And above all it takes love, kindness and wisdom. Thank you Mr. and Mrs. Lovell!
When you see families like Brenda's, you know all is well. There was a plaque I saw at a Hallmark store years ago and I wrote about it Sidetracked Home Executives: from pigpen to paradise. It said:
If there is righteousness in the heart, there will be beauty in the character.
If there is beauty in the character there will be harmony in the home.
If there is harmony in the home, there will be order in the nation.
And if there is order in the nation, there will be peace on earth.
We moms who have a priority to have harmonious homes, are providing more to our country and our planet than any other group. We who are lucky enough to live in countries that are free, have so much to be thankful for and when we put our homes and families first, we can be proud of our calling.
If you'd like to write a little note to Brenda congratulating her and her husband on the great job they did, please do so on this site. (There's a place at the bottom of this blog to comment.) We need to praise these moms and dads for the inspired work they do!
I received this email from another stay-at-home mom who made my day and I hope she'll inspire yours too!
Pam,
I must share a compliment I received recently. A good friend wanted to know how I do what I do; I homeschooled six children, went back to college after they were raised, and now I’m a college professor. Since I rather like the title of “Blonde superwoman” I’ve never divulged that my entire life, personal and professional, is run by a box of 3x5 cards. Way back in 1981 I received a copy of your book as a wedding gift, and it was one of the best gifts we received.
Thanks for all you do!
Tina
That box of 3x5 cards works whether you have nine girls or have become a professor. There's a reason it's been around for almost 40 years! It works! Here's how to get started: 3x5 system
Love,
PS My husband and I make it a habit to commend parents whose children are well behaved. It's so fun to watch the parents and the kids beam with pride. Take time to do that when you witness it. And if your parents were good parents and they're still alive, tell them how thankful you are for them. I wish I would have told mine more often than I did.