Early Childhood Is the Most Important Period: Too much importance cannot be placed on the early training of children. The lessons that the child learns during the first seven years of life have more to do with forming his/her character than all that it learns in future years. It is during the first years of a child's life that her/his mind is most susceptible to impressions either good or evil. The parents work must begin with the child in its infancy. Ellen G. White, Child Guidance, p 193

From Family Life | Week of Dec. 18, 2025

Aim at High Points in Character Development:  If we teach our  children to be industrious, half the danger is over, for idleness leads into all manner of temptation and sin. Let us educate our children to be simple in manner without being bold, to be benevolent and self-sacrificing without being extravagant, to be economical without becoming avaricious. Ellen G. White, Child Guidance, pp 189.

From Family Life | Week of Dec. 12, 2025

By Failing to Train for God: In failing to train our children to keep the way of the Lord, to do those things which he has commanded, parents neglect a solemn duty. Many souls will be eternally lost because of the neglect of parents to properly discipline their children, and to teach them submission to authority in their youth. Oh, how will parents answer to God for this fearful neglect of their duty. Ellen G. White, Child Guidance, pp 176.

From Family Life | Week of Nov. 27, 2025

To a great extent everyone is the architect of his/her own character. A good character is more precious than worldly possessions, and the work of forming it is the noblest in which we can engage. Our first duty to God and our fellow beings is in self development. Every faculty with which the creator has endowed us should be cultivated to the highest degree of perfection, that we may be able to do the greatest amount of good of which we are capable. Ellen G. White, Child Guidance, pp 164,165.

From Family Life | Week of Nov. 21, 2025

Above all things else, let parents surround their children with an atmosphere of cheerfulness, courtesy, and love. A home where love dwells, and where it is expressed in looks, in words, and in acts, is a place where angels  delight  to manifest their presence. Parents, let the sunshine of love, cheerfulness, and happy contentment  enter your own hearts; and let its sweet, cheering influence pervade your home. Ellen G. White, Child Guidance , pp 146.

From Family Life | Week of Nov. 14, 2025

Parents, teach your children......how to conduct themselves in the home with true politeness. Educate them to show kindness and tenderness to one another. Allow no selfishness to live in the heart or find room in the home. The principles of heaven are to be brought into the government of the home. Every child is to be taught to be polite, compassionate, loving, pitful, courteous and tenderhearted. Ellen G. White, Child Guidance, pp 143.

From Family Life | Week of Nov. 7, 2025

In every home there should be taught lessons on self-denial. By precept and example, teach self-denial, economy, large heartedness and self-reliance. Every member of the family, from the oldest to the youngest, should practice self-denial. Ellen G. White, Child Guidance, pp 132.

From Family Life | Week of Oct. 31, 2025

Parents cannot commit a greater sin than to neglect their God-given responsibilities  in leaving their children with nothing to do; for these children will soon learn to love idleness and grow up to be shiftless, useless men and women. When they become old enough to earn their living and are taken into employment, they will work in a lazy, dull way and will think they will be  paid just the same if they idle away their time, as if they did faithful work. Parents who love their children in a sensible way will not permit them to grow up with lazy habits and ignorant on how to do home duties.
Ellen G. White, Child Guidance, pp 122, 123.

From Family Life | Week of Oct. 24, 2025

Uncleanliness in the home is a great mistake for every form of uncleanliness tends to disease. Nothing unclean or decaying should be tolerated within the home. Show your children that uncleanliness, whether in body or dress, is objectionable to God. Teach them to eat in a clean manner and to hate anything like dirt and filth. Personal Cleanliness is essential to health. Ellen G. White, Child Guidance, pp 106, 107, 108.

From Family Life | Week of Oct. 17, 2025

Parents can and should interest their children in the varied knowledge found in the sacred pages, the Bible. But if they would interest their sons and daughters in the word of God, they must be interested in it themselves. They must be familiar with its teachings and, as God commanded Israel, speak of it "when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, when thou sittest down, and when thou risest up. " 
Ellen G. White, Child Guidance, pp 99.

From Family Life | Week of Oct. 11, 2025