It is best for our children, on thru boyhood and girlhood, to find their development and pleasure along the lines of the early relationships; devotion to father and mother, affectionate loyalty to brothers and sisters, delightful friendships with family relations, and courteous loving-kindness to neighbors and friends. If our sons and daughters are led away from these things into early love affairs and early marriages, they will never have a high view of the great relationships14of life; they will enter upon home life unprepared, unripe, soft, and are apt to bring up families like unto themselves. Some children seem to inherit a passion for early love-making from foolish parents, and many are led to think too early of these things by silly fathers and mothers and other bad friends teasing them about beaux and sweethearts.
How can we lead our children thru a pure and happy childhood to wait patiently for the years when they can wisely select their life companions?
First, by training them well in the natural relationships in the home, in the church, and in society.
Restrain them from companionship with the empty, silly set that giggles and plays with love-making.
Teach them that marriage is not the first concern in life; that it is desirable only when entered into wisely, and with the best person in the world.
Fill their hearts with noble plans about their education and work that will make life very busy and happy, and lead them to prepare carefully and wait patiently for the best things of life.—Home Sweet Home.