Happiness and Love Are Important
Home should be a place of cheerfulness, courtesy, and love. Where these graces prevail, there will be happiness and peace. Troubles may invade, but these are the lot of humanity. Let patience, gratitude, and love keep sunshine in the heart though the day may be ever so cloudy. In such homes angels of God abide.MHH 221.6
Let the husband and wife study each other’s happiness, never failing in the small courtesies and kindly acts that cheer and brighten the life. Perfect confidence should exist between husband and wife. Together they should consider their responsibilities. Together they should work for the highest good of their children. Never should they in the presence of the children criticize each other’s plans or question each other’s judgment. Let the wife be careful not to make the husband’s work for the children more difficult. Let the husband hold up the hands of his wife, giving her wise counsel and loving encouragement.MHH 221.7
No barrier of coldness and reserve should be allowed to arise between parents and children. Let parents become acquainted with their children, seeking to understand their tastes and dispositions, entering into their feelings, and drawing out what is in their hearts.MHH 222.1
Parents, show your children that you love them and will do all in your power to make them happy. If you do this, your necessary restrictions will have far greater weight in their young minds. Rule your children with tenderness and compassion, remembering that “‘their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven.’” Matthew 18:10. If you want the angels to do for your children the work given them of God, cooperate with them by doing your part.MHH 222.2
Brought up under the wise and loving guidance of a true home, children will have no desire to wander away in search of pleasure and companionship. Evil will not attract them. The spirit that prevails in the home will mold their characters; they will form habits and principles that will be a strong defense against temptation when they leave the home shelter and take their place in the world.MHH 222.3
Children as well as parents have important duties in the home. They should be taught that they are a part of the home firm. They are fed and clothed and loved and cared for, and they should respond to these many mercies by carrying their share of the home burdens and bringing all the happiness possible into the family of which they are members.MHH 222.4
Children are sometimes tempted to chafe under restraint, but when they become adults they will bless their parents for the faithful care and strict watchfulness that guarded and guided them in their years of inexperience.MHH 222.5