The value of a praying motherByrum, Isabel C. (Isabel Coston)
Religion
The value of a praying mother
Byrum, Isabel C. (Isabel Coston)
Prayer
Every parent should see that their attitude toward their children is
what it should be. Consider their feelings and show them respect,
remembering that they have rights upon which you must not intrude; but
never loosen the reigns of home government. Make any rules that you
think practicable and necessary; explain each rule carefully to your
child, giving your reason for making it, and then demand obedience.
Never, unless for some special reason, ignore any good rule. Should your
child happen to break one of these rules, do not punish without first
finding out the cause. He may not have understood your meaning, or he
may have forgotten. Take him quietly aside; and, after finding out why
he has disobeyed, gently tell him again your reasons for making the
rules and the necessity of his obedience. You might have to do this
several times, but do not excuse him too long. When it is necessary to
punish, ask for wisdom from above, and then punish in a way that he will
understand you and remember the punishment. When you make a statement,
stand by it, if possible, unless you see error in it. If such be the
case, confess your fault. If your child does not show you due respect
and obedience, there is a cause for it, and it is your duty to find out
what that cause is.
All children have to contend with bad qualities that have been
inherited. Do not flatter yourself that because the child is yours it
will escape temptation; for all must be tempted, if they would be
strong. Teach your children, according to their ability to comprehend,
all that they should know to be able to shun evil. Do not think that
because your child has inherited some moral weakness, you are helpless
to teach him to overcome it. You can explain to him his danger and tell
him what yielding to the temptations that come to him because of this
weakness will lead to. Point out the effect of this sin upon the one
from whom it was inherited. Tell the child that the only chance to
overcome this inherited tendency will be by constantly avoiding those
things that will lead to temptation. You may find the task difficult and
you may sometimes feel disheartened, but you must put that wayward child
of yours right, if possible, or God will hold you accountable. Perhaps
the inherited sin may lie at your own door. If it does, you will
understand better how to help him from under its power.
In the public school, on the street, and in his various associations,
your child will be exposed to the evil of hearing impure language from
vile lips; and if he be not warned, who can blame him for listening?
Your home teaching must overbalance all that he hears outside.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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