The mother's book / by Mrs. Child [Lydia Maria Francis Child].

  • Lydia Maria Child
Date:
1833
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The mother's book / by Mrs. Child [Lydia Maria Francis Child]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    child. There are proofs that it is true, both with regard to mind and body. A mere babe will grieve and sob at tbe expression of distress on a mother’s countenance; he cannot possibly know what that expression means, but he feels that it is something painful—his mother’s state affects him. Effects on the bodily constitution will be more readily believed than effects on the mind, because the most thoughtless can see the one, and they cannot see the other. Children have died in con- vulsions, in consequence of a mother nursing while under the influence of violent passion or emotion; and who can tell how much of moral evil may be traced to the states of mind indulged by a mother while tending the precious little being who receives every thing from her? Therefore, the first rule, and the most important of all, in education, is, that a mother govern her own feelings, and keep her heart and conscience pure. The next most important thing appears to me to be that a mother, as far as other duties will permit, take the entire care of her own child. I am aware that people of moderate fortune cannot atteftd ex- clusively to an infant. Other cares claim a share of attention, and sisters, or domestics, must be intrusted; but where this must necessarily be tbe case, the infant should, as much as possible, feel its mother’s guardianship. If in the same room, a smile, or a look of fondness, should now and then be bestowed upon him; and if in an adjoining room, some of the endearing appellations to which he has been accustomed, should once in a while meet his ear. The knowledge that his natural pro-
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