Has it not been to you, baby’s sister, almost as much as to the mother, a source of pride and delight to observe that the new-comer was “beginning to take notice”? If the downy head is turned in your direction, there is quite a ring of triumph in your voice as you say, “I am sure he knows me.”
You see, I picture my girls as loving sisters with tender, motherly instincts, and I decline to believe that there is one amongst them who does not love these little ones.
If children begin to observe so soon, how important it is that those who are round and about the life-path, on which, as yet, they can only place a little tottering foot, should be careful that they see only what is worthy of imitation. We, who are, perforce, the patterns which the children are certain to copy, should be doubly watchful over ourselves for their dear sakes.
You and I need to be ever on the watch on our own account, and the prayer “Lord, I cry unto thee. Keep the door of my lips. Incline not my heart to any evil thing. Deliver my feet from falling,” must often go up from our hearts to God, if we are sensible of our needs and weaknesses.
Have you not a double reason for the prayer that you may be kept from sin, whether in word or deed, if you are elder sisters in homes where the children must certainly learn by your example? I would not only urge you never to utter a wrong or impure expression, but also to avoid the foolish talk which even some older people think the only kind suited to children. Use habitually the best words you know, so that the little ones may have nothing to unlearn that they have heard from your lips. Speak clearly and distinctly, avoid shrieking, boisterous laughter, and discordant tones, so that baby’s voice, imitating yours, may be clear and even musical from the first.
Be gentle and graceful in your movements. Do not throw yourselves about or be rough, careless or boisterous in manner, for if you are, you will soon see a little reflection of your doings in the toddling thing who smashes his toys and laughs at the destruction he has wrought.
Be orderly in your own habits, and teach the little ones to put away their toys when done with, in places provided for them. I may note here that children are often untidy and needlessly destructive of their toys because no provision is made for orderly ways, and no settled places given for their childish treasures. Let them thoroughly enjoy the use of these, but teach them that their toys are worth something, and that wilful destruction results in loss to themselves.
Turn a bright, happy face for a child to study, that your smile may be reflected in his. Cultivate a cheerful disposition and an even temper, that you may rejoice in seeing joyous little ones in your homes.
Apart from ill-health and the consequent bodily suffering which naturally makes the poor little people fretful and peevish, I honestly believe that many mothers are responsible for the ill-tempers of their children. If they had always cultivated habits of self-restraint, and prayerfully watched against and checked every tendency to discontent, angry passions, selfishness, etc., I am convinced they would have had less cause to mourn over peevish, passionate, ill-tempered, exacting children.
I have used the word always advisedly.