Page 11 - Instruction for Parents

Patience and Love in the Family

possible whatever could spoil the day and sadden his heart.
That does not mean, however, that I may not demand any-
thing, of course, but patiently, amiably and persistently.

The child’s inner being is so important and so delicately strung
that you cannot enough put yourself in his position. The more
you live in harmony at home, the more the child will later be
supported by it. Later he will be able to better cope with
problems – illness – accidents, etc., because conditions were
created by a good parental home. No doubt in every family
there are shady sides, misunderstandings, etc. After all, you
have to polish one another – you have to mature and grow.
However, it must not be something which has a destructive ef-
fect in the soul of the child. He will not get over such a thing.

What goes around comes around. I mean, what I expect from
my child I must also do myself. If I do not say please and thank
you myself – only always demand in a commanding tone, the
child will obey reluctantly to start with and, secondly, he will
sometime or other do the same. (This, of course, goes for
youths and adults alike.) A good example is the most im-
pressive and most lasting sermon in everything! Just as par-
ents behave towards each other, so the children will behave
amongst themselves and later towards their parents. Good
manners – respect – and kindness must be instilled into the
child and be a matter of good taste in the family. Believe me.
These children will have an easier time of it amongst strangers
because good manners are second nature to them. Teaching
manners to adults is difficult and painful. In company and in a
community they do not always stand out pleasantly.

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