Parental Influences
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way. God has appointed us a path suited to the strength and capacity
of children.—
Testimonies for the Church 1:388, 389
(1863).
Fretfulness Should Be Repressed—Parents, when you feel fret-
ful, you should not commit so great a sin as to poison the whole family
with this dangerous irritability. At such times set a double watch over
yourselves and resolve in your heart not to offend with your lips, that
you will utter only pleasant, cheerful words. Say to yourselves: “I
will not mar the happiness of my children by a fretful word.” By thus
controlling yourselves you will grow stronger. Your nervous system
will not be so sensitive. You will be strengthened by the principles of
right. The consciousness that you are faithfully discharging your duty
will strengthen you. Angels of God will smile upon your efforts and
help you.
When you feel impatient, you too often think the cause is in your
children, and you blame them when they do not deserve it. At another
time they might do the very same things, and all would be acceptable
and right. Children know and mark and feel these irregularities, and
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they are not always the same. At times they are somewhat prepared
to meet changeable moods, and at other times they are nervous and
fretful, and cannot bear censure....
Some parents are of a nervous temperament, and when fatigued
with labor or oppressed with care, they do not preserve a calm state
of mind, but manifest to those who should be dearest to them on
earth a fretfulness and lack of forbearance which displeases God and
brings a cloud over the family. Children, in their troubles, should often
be soothed with tender sympathy. Mutual kindness and forbearance
will make home a paradise and attract holy angels into the family
circle.—
Testimonies for the Church 1:386, 387
(1863).
Paralyzed Minds of Parents—We have some knowledge of Sa-
tan’s manner of working and how well he succeeds in it. From what
has been shown me, he has paralyzed the minds of parents. They are
slow to suspect that their own children can be wrong and sinful. Some
of these children profess to be Christians, and parents sleep on, fearing
no danger, while the minds and bodies of their children are becoming
wrecked.
Some parents do not even take care to keep their children with
them when in the house of God. Young girls attend meetings and take
their seats, it may be, with their parents, but more frequently back in