Moms, you, more than anyone else, are the teachers and guides of your children. What a wonderful, great and awesome opportunity this presents to you and to all mothers. Any attempt to free yourself from this duty is in direct opposition to the will of God. If you neglect your children, unfortunate and fearful consequences are on the horizon. Many broken-hearted moms who have neglected their children in childhood can tearfully tell how they bow in anguish over lost sons and daughters.
If you still have the opportunity to do so, train your children, whether boys or girls, to usefulness. Begin early. As infants, give them an ear for music by singing to them or by making sure they hear songs and baby lullabies. Give them an ear for spiritual things by mentioning Jesus, God; and other spiritual themes. Let them hear congregational singing and other spiritual activity. Don't underestimate what infants hear and see and how this effects them later in life. As they grow up give them something constructive to do, obviously uniform to their age level. Teach them to bring any little thing to you; and as they grow older, let them help you in daily chores. Oral instruction can be given while you are doing your work. In all areas, through word and example, teach that God is the focal point in our lives.
Spend most of your time with your children. Sleep near them, let them know you are close by. Attend to washing and dressing them, and do it with cheerfulness; don't make these things "chores" that develop negative thoughts in them. Make meal times a pleasant time where good and positive communication is cultivated. Read, talk, play, walk with them. Be their companion and guide (let them !mow that Jesus is also). Encourage Dad to spend time with the children. Allow your children opportunity to store in their minds pleasant memories of God, family love, and togetherness.
As soon as they want playmates, see that they have those of their own age, who are also being trained well by high standards. Let them play at or near the house, that you may observe the character of their togetherness. Correct any misbehavior with positive teaching and examples.
Teach them as much as possible at home. It's amazing how many parents underestimate what a child can learn even before they walk and talk. Kids are naturals at learning things first by rote; counting, the alphabet, song-jingles, hand movements like "bye-bye," etc. Let them learn that school is a natural and exciting part of life and of growing up; that it is wholly for their good. Go often to the schoolroom yourself; nothing gives children so much encouragement as parents sharing in their school interests.
Open, healthy, communication must be established early, then it must be carefully nurtured and maintained through the teen years. Allow your children to tell you all that has happened to them at school, the good things and the bad, without them being sorry they told you. Never think anything which affects the happiness of your children too small a matter to claim your attention. Use every means in your power to retain their confidence. Children who are thus cared for and trained find more to please and amuse them at home than away. They thus can be saved from future temptation.
With children it is much more pleasant to apply the "ounce of prevention" than the "pound of cure." Children trained well know when they have done wrong. Proper, loving and consistent discipline is
appreciated by most. Author Unknown, via the East Foothill San Jose, CA bulletin - May 10, 1998