Conversation in the Home

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 13, 1910

Conversation in the Home

THERE is reason to believe that many men are “silent at home.” This is not because they have no opportunity to “get in a word,” but because when they get home, they are “tired.” Yet if a personal friend “drops in,” they talk with the greatest ease, and no harm comes to their nervous system. Others are “silent” because they literally have nothing to say. Their wives and children have the newspapers, and the husbands think there is nothing for them to tell. Some, as soon as the evening meal is over, start for the halls of the fraternal order to which they belong.

Where there are children, the father should always be alert to see or hear things to tell them, mingling the instructive with the interesting. It is one of the best methods of securing and retaining their affection. It will be a strange day in any business, and in going to it and returning, when there is not something to tell the little folks as well as the older members of the flock. It is well for all husbands and fathers to consider their duty and interest in this matter in the light of “How would you like it yourself?”—a popular unconscious rendition of the golden rule.

Little children stumble on wise sayings, and often on foolish ones. No one can correct them better than the father, if he has a heart and a mind for their guidance. Also when the mother finds her teachings indorsed by her husband, she perceives that everything possible is done for their welfare. It is a true saying that “the whole future man is in the heart of the child.” And so is it with the whole future woman.

Many subjects are of common interest to husbands and wives; and these afford material for conversation harmonious in nature. And though each reads the same journals, one may be more impressed by one incident or idea than the other, and this state of feeling will furnish a stimulus to an exchange of ideas.

Should the husband, silent at home, think of the condition of his wife as he leaves home,—without his company, busy all day in the house and with the care of the children if there are any, and lonely if there are none,—and watch for incidents or listen to communications with the thought of selecting those most likely to interest her, he might find the sunshine brighter than it had been since the early days of their married life. Nor would it be long before his wife would reciprocate, and find something to please him when he comes home. Moreover, if she loves him, and has been doing most of the talking, she would be more than willing to hear what he has to say.

Home certainly should be the abode of free speech. Though it is not wise to discuss all things before children, many things may be prudently and profitably said to and of them in their presence—provided the father and mother have come to an understanding about the method for their training.

Sharp discussion between husbands and wives concerning the treatment of their children, in their presence, is a foe to reverence in the minds of the children, and injurious to parental peace and love. And when the children retire, the parents have the long hours of the evening for exchanging their ideas on any and every subject which interests either one or both.

Home should be the happiest place on earth for those who compose it. This it never can be without conversation. A silent home is never a happy one, unless it is composed of deaf-mutes. And they are the greatest conversers in the world. Their eyes are always speaking, and their fingers ever moving.—Christian Advocate.