An Attitude of Love

"In learning how to love our children it is essential that we learn the proper attitude, method and timing of discipline. The proper attitude must be love. We must believe, and the child must also believe, that we are correcting him because in the long run it will be good for him."

Marilee Horton, Free to Stay at Home
page 117

Respecting Children

"Children will have disagreements, but they can usually settle such differences in an honorable manner. They should learn to do this. Each child's identity and ownership should be respected. Never should we embarrass a child. At the same time, he should know wrong conduct will not be tolerated. He is loved, but his wrongs are not."

Thelma Beem, The Dignity of a Child
page 87

The Art of Listening

"Children should be taught the art of listening --- listening to the wind, the birds, the rain, and to mother when she speaks. As parents, let us make our voices meaningful, expressive, and calm. As we compete with the television, radio, trucks, and jets, let us not try to out scream them. More emphasis can be obtained by lowering the voice when the child will need to concentrate and listen to understand. What we say should also contain meaning or it had better be left unsaid."

Thema Beem, The Dignity of a Child
page 80

God's Plan for Families

"God planned for families in the beginning, and He still plans for them. Our children are a precious trust. We will never know on this earth just how far the influences of our homes have reached. 'One well-ordered, well-disciplined family tells more in behalf of Christianity than all the sermons that can be preached.'"

Ellen White, The Adventist Home
page 32

Good Discipline Felt by the Family

"If in love and justice the parent leads out in the situations that arise in the home, good discipline will be felt by the family. The word discipline comes from the same root word as disciple. Through real leadership we as parents can give our children worthwhile ideals, values, and moral principles to build on. our children must have leaders to follow if they are to be disciples."

Thelma Beem, The Dignity of a Child
page 13