Chapter 48—The Child’s Reaction
To Provocation—Children are exhorted to obey their parents in
the Lord, but parents are also enjoined, “Provoke not your children to
wrath, lest they be discouraged.
Often we do more to provoke than to win. I have seen a mother
snatch from the hand of her child something that was giving it special
pleasure. The child did not know the reason for this, and naturally
felt abused. Then followed a quarrel between parent and child, and a
sharp chastisement ended the scene as far as outward appearance was
concerned; but that battle left an impression on the tender mind that
would not be easily effaced. This mother acted unwisely. She did not
reason from cause to effect. Her harsh, injudicious action stirred the
worst passions in the heart of her child, and on every similar occasion
these passions would be aroused and strengthened
To Faultfinding—You have no right to bring a gloomy cloud over
the happiness of your children by faultfinding or severe censure for
trifling mistakes. Actual wrong should be made to appear just as
sinful as it is, and a firm, decided course should be pursued to prevent
its recurrence; yet children should not be left in a hopeless state of
mind, but with a degree of courage that they can improve and gain
your confidence and approval. Children may wish to do right, they
may purpose in their hearts to be obedient; but they need help and
encouragement
To Too Harsh Discipline—Oh, how God is dishonored in a family
where there is no true understanding as to what constitutes family
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discipline, and children are confused as to what is discipline and
government. It is true that too harsh discipline, too much criticism,
unrequired laws and regulations, lead to disrespect of authority and
1
Manuscript 38, 1895
.
2
Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, 117
.
3
The Signs of the Times, April 10, 1884
.
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