In our busy lifestyles, especially during the holidays, we tend to be a little more impatient with the children, or hurry our precious time with them.  Sometimes the hardest thing of all is to spend a simple meal together.   I found this interesting little article and offer it as a gentle reminder.

“Not with reproof for any of that day’s sins of omission or commission.  Take any time but bed-time for that.  If you ever heard a little creature sighing or sobbing in its sleep, you could never do this.  Seal their closing eyelids with a kiss and a blessing.  The time will come when, all too soon, they will lay their heads upon their pillows lacking both.  Let them then, at least, have this sweet memory of a happy childhood, of which no future sorrow or trouble can rob them.  Give them their rosy youth.  Nor need this involve wild license.  The judicious parent will not so mistake my meaning.  If you have ever met the man, or the woman, whose eyes have suddenly filled when a little child has crept trustingly to its mother’s breast, you may have seen one in whose childhood’s home “Dignity” and “Severity” stood where love and pity should have been.  Too much indulgence has ruined thousands of children; too much love, not one.”    Woman’s Exponent, September 30, 1874, Fanny Fern

May we look for whatever ways we can to give our children the childhoods they deserve.  With domestic violence so rampant, may we stand tall to protect those who are too young to protect themselves.  It is our responsibility to preserve a loving family environment.  The parent, and especially the mother, sets the mood in the home of security, love, and trust.  I love the final line of this article:  “Too much indulgence has ruined thousands of children; too much love, not one.”   So, don’t worry about giving less material goods to your children, they probably won’t even notice.  However, giving them more love might shock them, but never kill them.