Article April 19, 1969 Issue

Firmness and Love Foster Obedience

[For parents]

MARGARET SHAYS

Children want to be good. They enjoy being good. And it's right and natural for them to be so, in spite of what prevalent material theories may say.

The loving, spiritually alert parent can promote and share in this joyful goodness by expecting obedience, not as the fruit of battle, but as the natural expression of God's control of each individual. A parent can correct and guide a child wisely, lovingly, and firmly, feeling certain that he wants to be good and not allowing him to be disobedient. The consistency of the parents' guidance reflecting the nature of divine Principle gives the child a sense of security and love.

We read in Proverbs, "He that loveth [his son] chasteneth him betimes." Prov. 13:24; Corporal punishment need not be the answer, however. Mrs. Eddy tells us, "If you make clear to the child's thought the right motives for action, and cause him to love them, they will lead him aright: if you educate him to love God, good, and obey the Golden Rule, he will love and obey you without your having to resort to corporeal punishment." Miscellaneous Writings, p. 51;

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