Remember They Are Children.
How easy it is to forget that the little folk are only little folk, after all, and to treat them as if they were grown up, and ought to know as much about behavior and self-control as ourselves. The plea for the children that follows ought not to be necessary, but what parent can conscientiously say it is not? "Don't expect too much of them; it has taken you forty years, it may be, to make you what you are, with all your lessons of experience; and I dare say you are a faulty being at best. Above all do not expect judgment in a child, or patience under trials. Sympathize in their mistakes and troubles; don't ridicule them. Remember not to measure a child's trials by your standard. 'As one whom his mother comforteth,' says the inspired writer, and beautifully does he convey to us the deep, faithful love that ought to be found in every woman's heart, the unfailing sympathy with all her children's griefs.
"Let the memories of their childhood be as bright as you can make them. Grant them every innocent pleasure in your power. We have often felt our temper rise to see how carelessly their little plans were thwarted by older persons, when a little trouble on their part would have given the child pleasure, the memory of which would last a lifetime.
"Lastly, don't think a child hopeless because it betrays some very bad habits. We have known children that seem to have been born thieves and liars, so early did they display these undesirable traits; yet we have lived to see those same children become noble men and women, and ornaments to society. We must confess they had wise, affectionate parents, and whatever else you may be compelled to deny your child by your circumstances in life, give it what it most values, plenty of love."—Sel.