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THAT BOY OF YOURS

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Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Sep 24, 1894

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 20, No. 46.

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THAT BOY OF YOURS.

THERE is a great responsibility on parents in rearing their boys.
The training of a son properly requires thought, time, and attention. There is a correct way to bring up a son, and there is a way which if adopted will ruin him. I give below a few directions that will suggest the course that may aid parents in their government. Such a course of training and such surroundings and conditions have kept many a boy from the sinful ways of the prodigal son. Read and ponder them carefully.
  1. Make home the brightest and most attractive place on the earth.
  2. Make him responsible for the performance of a limited number of daily duties.
  3. Never punish him in anger.
  4. Do not ridicule his conceits, but rather talk frankly on the matters in which he has an interest.
  5. Let him feel free to invite his friends to your home and table.
  6. Encourage his confidence by giving him ready sympathy and advice.
  7. Do not discourage "collection manias;" they help to give information and fix habits of investigation and perseverance.
  8. Be careful to impress upon his mind that making character is more important than making money.
  9. Live Christ before him all the time; then you will be able to talk Christ to him with power when the occasion offers.
  10. Be much in prayer for his salvation and spiritual growth.
If you want your gray hairs dishonored by a spoiled and ruined son, adopt the following directions:—
  1. Let him have plenty of spending money.
  2. Permit him to choose his own companions without restraint or direction.
  3. Give him a latchkey, and allow him to return home late in the evening.
  4. Make no inquiry as to where and with whom he spends his leisure moments.
  5. Give him to understand that manners make a good substitute for morality.
  6. Teach him to expect pay for every act of helpfulness to others.
  7. Allow him to occupy a seat in church with the boys rather than a pew with his parents.
  8. Permit him to regard the Sabbath school unsuitable for a boy on the verge of young manhood.—The Southland.