Have Confidence in Boys

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Mar 23, 1911

Have Confidence in Boys

THERE is something wrong in the home training when a boy goes entirely outside his own family for counsel. A mother need not compel him to come to her with all his little affairs, because if she is always ready to listen to and sympathize with him, he will do this of his own accord.

A very common cause of the withholding of a child’s confidence is the desire on the part of the parent to dictate in matters that are of no importance except to the child himself.

All children, boys especially, like to plan their own affairs; and where there is no question of right or wrong involved, they should be allowed and encouraged to do so.

With children who have strong will power, the constant directing of all their little plans and ideas is exasperating; and opposition, with ill-humor, is often the result. With children of a sensitive nature, or with weak will power, the child’s own individuality is perhaps crushed out of him, or else he retires within himself, and shuts his lips tightly against the confidence which every parent craves from a child.

Let a boy feel that you are always interested in his plans, no matter how absurd they may be; the time is coming when you can no longer command him, and this will be the strongest hold you can have upon him.

Take him into your counsels, ask his advice about family matters. His self-respect and judgment will grow.— Selected.