“Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6
Susanna Annesley Wesley (1669-1742) was the mother of John and Charles Wesley, the founders of the Methodist Church. Susanna was the youngest of 25 children, and grew up to give birth to 19 children of her own. Only 10 of those children survived infancy. Although Susanna was deeply religious, setting aside 2 hours per day for prayer and raising her children for the Lord, it was not until late in her life that she was brought to salvation through the testimony of her sons. (John and Charles were saved while on a missionary trip to Georgia, and then their testimony brought Susanna to see that her salvation could come only through grace, not of her own works.)
Several years ago, I came across this list that Susanna Wesley supposedly used in raising her children. While I may not agree with every single one, I think they provide a good example and definite food for thought.
Susanna Wesley’s Rules for Child-Training
1. No eating between meals.
2. All children in bed by 8:00 p.m.
3. Take your medicine without complaining.
4. Subdue self will in each child.
5. Work with God to save the soul of each child.
6. Teach each child to pray as soon as he can speak.
7. Require all to be still during family worship.
8. Give children nothing they cry for.
9. Give them only what they ask for politely.
10. To prevent lying, punish no fault which is first confessed.
11. Do not allow a sinful act to go unpunished.
12. Command and reward good behavior.
13. Preserve property rights, even in the smallest matters.
14. Strictly observe all promises.
15. Require no daughter to work before she can read well.
16. Teach children to fear the rod.
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Hello,
I agree and disagree with Susanna’s ways of training her children but I guess the bottomline is, we all want our children to grow happy and God-fearing.