SIR: There are many articles in the newspapers and on the TV talking about the behaviour of children and young people. There are some parents who are concerned about this, but are we doing enough to help the young people of today?

If children are taught respect, discipline, kindness and love within the walls of their home, then surely they will show these same qualities at playgroups, school, college or at youth clubs. Controlling children does not mean disciplining them by smacking but by sitting down, talking, relating to each other your feelings and communicating.

Sometimes situations are not easy to live with, but by sharing time as a family at meal times, if just for once a day, can alleviate problems. Also, if children help to set rules for the home, they will be less likely to break them. As we are in a new year, let us have a new way of living, whether it be a family with a mother and father or even a single parent family, let it be a year of communication, love, respect and caring for one another.

For over 30 years the leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints have asked members to set aside one evening a week to spend time together as a family, and it does work. With the hustle and bustle of today's hectic life, we need time to relax and discuss the situations we face, and have the confidence to know we do have our families to turn to for support in times of need.

Bishop Peters

The Church of Jesus Christ

of Latterday Saints

Gaskell Street, Bolton

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