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Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students
line should be given even to the smallest children. By correcting this
habit, you will destroy it. God designs that the perversities natural
to childhood shall be rooted out before they become habits. Do not
give the children playthings that are easily broken. To do this is to
teach lessons in destructiveness. Let them have a few playthings,
and let these be strong and durable. Such suggestions, small though
they may seem, mean much in the education of the child.
Mothers should guard against training their children to be de-
pendent and self-absorbed. Never give them cause to think that they
are the center and that everything must revolve around them. Some
parents give much time and attention to amusing their children; but
children should be trained to amuse themselves, to exercise their
own ingenuity and skill. Thus they will learn to be content with
simple pleasures. They should be taught to bear bravely their little
disappointments and trials. Instead of calling attention to every tri-
fling pain or hurt, divert their minds; teach them to pass lightly over
little annoyances and discomforts.
Study how to teach the children to be thoughtful of others. The
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youth should be early accustomed to submission, self-denial, and
regard for others’ happiness.
They should be taught to subdue the hasty temper, to withhold
the passionate word, to manifest unvarying kindness, courtesy, and
self-control.
Burdened with many cares, the mother may sometimes feel
that she cannot take time patiently to instruct her little ones and
to give them love and sympathy. But she should remember that
if the children do not find in their parents and in their homes that
which will satisfy their desire for sympathy and companionship, they
will look to other sources, where both mind and character may be
endangered.
Give some of your leisure hours to your children; associate with
them in their work and in their sports, and win their confidence.
Cultivate their friendship. Give them responsibilities to bear, small
at first, and larger as they grow older. Let them see that you think
they help you. Never, never let them hear you say, “They hinder me
more than they help me.”
If possible, the home should be out of the city, where the children
can have ground to cultivate. Let them each have a piece of ground