208
Child Guidance
Do Not Yield to Coaxing—Parents will have much to answer for
in the day of accounts because of their wicked indulgence of their
children. Many gratify every unreasonable wish, because it is easier
to be rid of their importunity in this way than in any other. A child
should be so trained that a refusal would be received in the right spirit
and accepted as final
Do Not Take Child’s Word Before That of Others—Parents
should not pass lightly over the sins of their children. When these sins
are pointed out by some faithful friend, the parent should not feel that
his rights are invaded, that he has received a personal offense. The
habits of every youth and every child affect the welfare of society. The
wrong course of one youth may lead many others in an evil way
Do not allow your children to see that you take their word before
the statements of older Christians. You cannot do them a greater injury.
By saying, I believe my children before I believe those whom I have
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evidence are children of God, you encourage in them the habit of
falsifying
The Heritage of a Spoiled Child—It is impossible to depict the
evil that results from leaving a child to its own will. Some who go
astray because of neglect in childhood will later, through the incul-
cation of practical lessons, come to their senses; but many are lost
forever because in childhood and youth they received only a partial,
one-sided culture. The child who is spoiled has a heavy burden to carry
throughout his life. In trial, in disappointment, in temptation, he will
follow his undisciplined, misdirected will. Children who have never
learned to obey will have weak, impulsive characters. They seek to
rule, but have not learned to submit. They are without moral strength
to restrain their wayward tempers, to correct their wrong habits, or to
subdue their uncontrolled wills. The blunders of untrained, undisci-
plined childhood become the inheritance of manhood and womanhood.
The perverted intellect can scarcely discern between the true and the
false
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9
Pacific Health Journal, May, 1890
.
10
The Review and Herald, June 13, 1882
.
11
The Review and Herald, April 13, 1897
.
12
Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, 112, 113
.