Loving instead of criticising

I find that there are times when my life is such an open book that anyone looking at it, would be sick as to what they find inside. Today, Bishop Nielson spoke to some of the RS sisters about showing love, but it started with a story of a women who was about to lose everything because she was very critical of those around her. As he read this story, I was seeing into my own life and how I treat my family. After discussing this with Peter, we realized that I was doing the same thing as my parents had done to me and this is the way that they treat Peter. The little girl inside of me is struggling to deal with this. I'll call her Kary. I was given the name Kary Christmas 'cause my mother would say "Karen, Christmas is coming." I know she meant it as an encouragement to get moving, but it really labeled me as a procrastinator and a true SHE (sidetracked home executive). I have a hard time dealing with my children from the time they come home from school to the time they leave again in the morning. I struggle to love them. Don't get me wrong, I do love them, I just don't know how to show that love to them. The bishop said that if we are struggling with the criticism, that he releases us from being critical. It is now time to love our family. He explained that this means not saying bad things about someone, actually doing one-on-one activities, saying things like, "I love you. Good job. I'm so proud of you." I see my children being angry with each other and I know that it is a reflection of how I treat them. Kary and I are going to have some heart to heart discussions about what is appropriate language to use when talking to family members, ask forgiveness from those we've offended and learn to be forgiving and understanding of others.