“Take heed, O people, lest ye be of them that give good
counsel to others but forget to follow it themselves.” (Baha’u’llah, ‘Gleanings
from the Writings of Baha’u’llah’)
It is only natural that, as parents, you should take a deep
interest in the training and education of your children. You cherish the hope
that they will grow up free from defilement, good-tempered, well-behaved, and
deserving to take their place in society as civilized and progressive-minded
human beings.
It is certain, for instance, that you prefer your children
not to tell lies, not to backbite, and not to wrongly accuse others of
misdeeds. You hope they will be honest and trustworthy, and will not sully
their tongues with offensive and unpleasant talk. You expect them to show
respect towards their parents, and, in short, to observe fully those moral
principles which are conducive to the advancement of the human race, and to its
distinction and happiness. If such be the case, then it is important to
understand a delicate matter: this wish can only be realized when it is
translated from thoughts into actions. In other words, you yourself must
possess the very characteristics and perfections that you want your children to
acquire, for in the view of the world's renowned scholars, the sayings and
actions of parents exert a tremendous influence on their children. Experts are
all united in the opinion that it is the parents who establish the morals and
manners of their children, with the characteristics and virtues of the mother
exerting a greater influence. Whatever the parents may do and whatever they may
say (be it good or ill), will become a pattern for the child's conduct.
Many child psychologists believe that most of children's
actions come about through imitation. This condition in children is so intense
that we can compare the innermost self of a child to a mirror in which are
reflected the actions and words of the father, mother, and others who come in
contact with him.
