Barbarous times are marked by an excessive severity in everything, and therefore in parental government. Reaction from this generates a disposition to forego all home government; and this is fostered by indolence, and a reluctance to endure the mental and moral concern and the toil of careful consideration involved in the proper moral training of children. Hence, perhaps our age is generally inclined to wide laxity in family government. We think this is especially true of the fathers. Of course, there are very numerous exceptions, and some examples of the opposite extreme.
The mothers are usually disposed to be more strict than the fathers, and there is not infrequently a painful and injurious contrariety on the subject between the two parents. This difference, which may be small at the outset, is likely, by mutual reaction, to widen with years, without the utmost care and self control on their part. We think that as a rule the mothers are too anxious and interpositive in their rectoral action, and the fathers too little. By excess of feeling and action in this line mothers often injure their general health. The fathers see and mourn it, and are perhaps thrown more forcibly in the opposite direction; and then vainly, and perhaps injudiciously, endeavoring to abate the mother's trouble, seem to oppose her plans of government. This adds to the evil, and the mother feels more than ever that all the great solemn burden rests on her.
Dear mother, try and be calm. Go to God with your trouble. Be careful not to exaggerate by excessive and unhappy brooding. It destroys your power for good, and dishonors God, who requires not the impossible, and who is waiting to fill your heart with his own peace. He lovingly cares alike for you and your children. Do your best in serenity, and then trust God.
