Even if it is a challenge, the experience of rearing a family should be a happy one. Thoughtful parents who are students of Christian Science will recognize from the moment an infant joins the family that it is a responsibility for as long as it needs care and guidance and that the ability to guide and care faithfully for the child comes from their understanding of God's parenthood.
This understanding enables parents to separate their children from the beliefs associated with environment and heredity. They learn that a child is good because it is the reflection of God, good. They also learn that a child appears to be bad only because of a mistaken belief that God is not the only cause and creator.
How does Christian Science help the parent to raise a family wisely and harmoniously? Mrs. Eddy states in Science and Health (p. 336), "God is the parent Mind, and man is God's spiritual offspring." On this truth we can build safely, for it applies to parent and child alike. Accepting it, we see that children do not have minds of their own with which to delight or to torment their parents.
