Co-operation of Parents and Children
By Mrs. D. A. Fitch
CHILDREN are what they are because of their likeness to their parents. There is need of restraining power in the home. Just as much family government exists now as ever, only it has passed into the hands of the children. Parents submit, sometimes under protest, sometimes from unwise love, and sometimes to gain present ease. In any case, sad results must follow. The Lord is desirous that the family relations perfectly represent his loving ones to the great world-family. In some families there is a good degree of the love and harmony which exists between God and his faithful, obedient children. Let us draw the veil on those homes where the opposite condition exists. Parents should rise to their high privileges, thus granting to children theirs, the greatest of which is to be well trained. That child is truly left with a poor heritage, who, in mature years, yet by grace must battle to overcome a well-blossomed fault, which, had the parent done his duty, would have been nipped in the bud. In family government there should be a co-operative system, which, because of self-control, will be unequaled elsewhere. A mother who realized her inability properly to restrain her children, gathered them around her, and plainly stated the fact. She told them the results of disobedience, and contrasted them with those of obedience. Then she said, “My dear children, I need help, and there are no others who can help me as you can. To obey from fear of punishment is not real obedience. Now if you will each one control yourself, a great load will be lifted from me.” They assented, and ever after were glad of a part in the governmental affairs of the family. Self-control is most important of all things. Prayer with and for the children places us in such relation to them and God that he can safely trust us with needed instruction. Pride has kept many a parent from acknowledging his mistakes and lack of discretion. As a means of overcoming such pride, I made a practice of confessing to my children my sins of impatience, petulance, and the like, asking them to forgive me as God had done. Many times, when symptoms showed the rising of a storm, has it been said to me, in childish simplicity, “Now, mama, don’t get cross; for you know you will have to come and tell us you are sorry.” Only God and those who have had just this experience, know the conflicting emotions filling the mind at such a time. Impatience is born of pride, and pride never wishes to be humbled. With hearts softened by love, let us turn to our children, and with all the power Jesus can give, work for their salvation, that when Jesus comes, we may say, “Here am I, and the children thou hast given me.”