On Raising Children

“Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.”

“And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way.”

“He that teacheth his son grieveth the enemy: and before his friends he shall rejoice of him.”

“A parent is obliged to teach a child Torah and a trade. And some say: to teach the child to swim as well.”

“He that will have his son have a respect for him and his orders, must himself have a great reverence for his son.”

“I am angry nearly every day of my life, Jo, but I have learned not to show it, and I still hope to learn not to feel it.”

“Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul.”

Asked what they would tell young parents, the oldest Americans interviewed did not say provide more. They said instil values, set a standard of behaviour, and give your children your time.

Across seventy trials, the programmes that made parents more responsive to their infants were the short, focused ones. Doing less, done well, moved attachment more than doing everything.

“The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice: and he that begetteth a wise child shall have joy of him.”