Don't sit and stew and fret over your magnified troubles.
Let the children play and laugh; they are not hurting anyone. God bless them. They don't have worries; their little lives are all too short. Their example of smiles and laughter should make you happy. Soon, too soon, they will grow up and go their ways in life and how precious will be the memories of their carefree, golden, happy childhood days.
Cut out envy; that's a mighty bad negative wire. It's the devil's favorite food to make worry and discontent.
Envy Makes Worry.
Many of the people you envied in the past are dead and buried. Many of the people you envy now are at heart miserable, and you wouldn't envy them if you could look through the artificial outside and know their real hidden thoughts and lives.
"What's-the-use"—that's a bad thing to say; it plants worry seed.
You are all right; you have far more blessings than sorrows. You can never be entirely free from troubles, care or little irritations.
Rise superior to these things; those around you are affected by and susceptible to your influence and example.
If you have a "but," an "if" or a "don't" tied to every command to your children, they will recognize your uncertainty and your negative, hurtful attitude, and they will take your threats, as well as your promises, with a grain of salt.
Be careful in giving commands; don't put a Spanish bit in the children's mouths to jerk them and torture them.