Let's be honest-- Some days in the world of parenting feel like a power struggle. I have learned along the way that you just have to pick your battles. If my son wants to wear his super hero cape to the grocery store, I can live with that. Avoiding the struggle of getting him to leave it behind is not worth it, because it really doesn't matter in the long run. If only all the battles were that easy. Parenting is truly an amazing experience for me. One for which I am incredibly grateful, and which brings me more happiness and blessings than I could ever have dreamed of, but which is also tough some days! But you know what they say-- nothing worth having comes easy. So, how do we find that balance in our families? The following tips from Brother Richard B. Miller, of BYU can lend some great direction into figuring that out.

1. Parents are the leaders in the family. Appropriate discipline is necessary, as it shows love and respect. Some democracy within the family is great, however the parents are the leaders and make decisions that are best for the family.
2. Parents must be united in leadership. Ideally, parents should discuss issues without children present and come to a mutual conclusion before involving children. They should be on the same page so as to not undermine one another as decisions are made.
3. Parent/ Child hierarchy dissolves when children become adults. 
4. The marital relationship should be a partnership. Parents should be equal partners within a marriage, each contributing their unique and important portions to the relationship and the family dynamic. One spouse should not dictate or rule over the family, but alongside their partner in love and mutual respect.

(Who is the Boss? Power Relationships in Families)

Figuring these balances out will give us a huge advantage in raising our children with a positive view of respect, power, and leadership. It's been said that our kids may not remember what we say, but they will remember what we do. Our example shines far brighter than our words, and being a team as parents will be of great worth in setting those examples we long for our children to remember. And let us never forget the the third partner in our marriage is our Father in Heaven, and he has quite a bit invested in His children as well, and wants to see them succeed, just as we do. He will be of great worth to us as we wind our way through this crazy journey of parenthood.