The Duties of Parents

Train up your child with all tenderness, affection, and patience. I do not mean that you are to spoil him, but I do mean that you should let him see that you love him. Love should be the silver thread that runs through all your conduct. Kindness, gentleness, long-suffering, forbearance, patience, sympathy, a willingness to enter into childish troubles, a readiness to take part in childish joys, ? these are the cords by which a child may be led most easily, ? these are the clues you must follow if you would find the way to his heart. -J. C. Ryle