Chapter 13—Self-Control
Prepare Children for Life and Its Duties—Well may the mother
inquire with deep anxiety, as she looks upon the children given to
her care, What is the great aim and object of their education? Is it to
fit them for life and its duties, to qualify them to take an honorable
position in the world, to do good, to benefit their fellow-beings, to gain
eventually the reward of the righteous? If so, then the first lesson to be
taught them is self-control; for no undisciplined, headstrong person
can hope for success in this world or reward in the next
Train the Child to Yield—The little ones, before they are a year
old, hear and understand what is spoken in reference to themselves,
and know to what extent they are to be indulged. Mothers, you should
train your children to yield to your wishes. This point must be gained
if you would hold the control over your children, and preserve your
dignity as a mother. Your children quickly learn just what you expect
of them, they know when their will conquers yours, and will make the
most of their victory
It is the veriest cruelty to allow wrong habits to be developed, to
give the law into the hands of the child and let him rule
Do Not Gratify Selfish Wishes—If parents are not careful, they
will treat their children in such a way as will lead the children to
demand attention and privileges that will call for the parents to deprive
themselves in order to indulge their little ones. The children will call
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upon the parents to do things for them, to gratify their wishes, and the
parents will concede to their wishes, regardless of the fact that it is
inculcating selfishness in their children. But in doing this work parents
are wronging their children, and will find out afterwards how difficult
a thing it is to counteract the influence of the education of the first few
1
Pacific Health Journal, May, 1890
.
2
The Signs of the Times, March 16, 1891
.
3
Christian Temperance and Bible Hygiene, 68
.
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