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Chapter 33—Home Influences
Home should be to children the most attractive place in the
world, and the mother’s presence should be its greatest attraction.
Children have sensitive, loving natures. They are easily pleased and
easily made unhappy. By gentle discipline, in loving words and acts,
mothers may bind their children to their hearts.
Young children love companionship and can seldom enjoy them-
selves alone. They yearn for sympathy and tenderness. They think
that whatever they enjoy will please mother also, and it is natural
for them to go to her with their little joys and sorrows. The mother
should not wound their sensitive hearts by treating with indifference
matters that, though trifling to her, are of great importance to them.
Her sympathy and approval are precious. An approving glance, a
word of encouragement or commendation will be like sunshine in
their hearts, often making their whole day happy.
Instead of sending her children from her, that she may not be
annoyed by their noise or troubled by their little wants, let the mother
plan amusement or light work to employ the active hands and minds.
By entering into their feelings and directing their amusements
and employments, the mother will gain the confidence of her chil-
dren. This will enable her more effectually to correct wrong habits
or check the manifestations of selfishness or passion. A word of
caution or reproof spoken at the right time will be of great value. By
patient, watchful love, she can turn the minds of the children in the
right direction, cultivating in them beautiful and attractive traits of
character.
Mothers should guard against training their children to be de-
pendent and self-absorbed. Never lead them to think that they are
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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 very
simple pleasures. They should be taught to bear bravely their disap-
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