Family Companionship
141
from you which you must counteract. Teach them to make you their
confidant. Let them whisper in your ear their trials and joys
Children would be saved from many evils if they would be more
familiar with their parents. Parents should encourage in their children a
disposition to be open and frank with them, to come to them with their
difficulties and, when they are perplexed as to what course is right,
to lay the matter just as they view it before the parents and ask their
advice. Who are so well calculated to see and point out their dangers
as godly parents? Who can understand the peculiar temperaments of
their own children as well as they? The mother who has watched every
turn of the mind from infancy, and is thus acquainted with the natural
disposition, is best prepared to counsel her children. Who can tell as
well what traits of character to check and restrain as the mother, aided
by the father
“No Time”—“No time,” says the father; “I have no time to give
to the training of my children, no time for social and domestic enjoy-
ments.” Then you should not have taken upon yourself the responsi-
bility of a family. By withholding from them the time which is justly
theirs, you rob them of the education which they should have at your
hands. If you have children, you have a work to do, in union with the
mother, in the formation of their characters
It is the cry of many mothers: “I have no time to be with my
children.” Then for Christ’s sake spend less time on your dress. Neglect
[192]
if you will to adorn your apparel. Neglect to receive and make calls.
Neglect to cook an endless variety of dishes. But never, never neglect
your children. What is the chaff to the wheat? Let nothing interpose
between you and the best interests of your children
Burdened with many cares, mothers sometimes feel that they can-
not take time patiently to instruct their little ones and give them love
and sympathy. But they should remember that if the children do not
find in their parents and in their home that which will satisfy their de-
sire for sympathy and companionship, they will look to other sources,
where both mind and character may be endangered
6
Testimonies For The Church 1, 387
.
7
Testimonies For The Church 1, 392
.
8
Fundamentals of Christian Education, 65, 66
.
9
The Signs of the Times, April 3, 1901
.
10
The Ministry of Healing, 389
.