“The family with father, mother and children are a key part of great plan for life on the earth as conceived and organized by our Father in heaven. However while "The Family is the basic unit of the kingdom of God on earth. …Our political institutions cannot rescue us if our basic institution, the family, is not intact….We do discuss family life with sensitivity, however, realizing that many…do not presently have the privilege of belonging or contributing to such a family.  But we cannot set aside this standard, because so many other things depend upon it."Spencer W. Kimball

        We recognize there are fewer traditional families with father, mother and child(ren) with one breadwinner in today’s society. Many families today are challenged with further non-tradition setting with single parents or meeting family needs while both parents work.  Family Councils are also very important for these units to coordinate and manage family activities.  Family Councils can also be a challenge when beginning them with teenagers and even small children. Parents need to be very honest with children and enlist their help in chores and decisions. Everyone needs to help or provide a listening ear to work through issues and challenges in these settings.

      Even the traditional family structure changes over time from a couple to a family with children and then back to a couple and/or single parent/grandparent.  Some people never have the opportunity to marry, but they can enjoy the blessings of the Family Council as well.  ​
     Lets look at these various special family structures and how Family Councils can help.
        COUNCILS WITH SINGLE PARENT
        COUNCILS WITH STEP FAMILIES
        COUNCILS WITH  BOTH PARENTS WORKING 
       COUNCILS WITH YOUNG COUPLES
       COUNCILS WITH SINGLE ADULTS
       COUNCILS WITH ONLY ONE PARENT INTERESTED
       COUNCILS WHEN A PARENT IS UNAVAILABLE
       STARTING COUNCILS WITH TEENS
       COUNCILS WITH SMALL CHILDREN
       COUNCILS AS OLDER ADULTS – “EMPTY NESTER”