Less Talk

…and as ill weeds grow apace, the defects of a fine character may well choke out the graces.  A boy is ambitious; he will be leader in the nursery, and his lead is wholesome for the rest; but there is the pugnacious little brother who will not ‘follow my leader’ and the two can hardly live in the same rooms; the able boy is a tyrant when his will is crossed.  … What is the parents’ part here? To magnify the quality; make the child feel that he or she has a virtue to guard––a family possession, and, at the same time, a gift from above. A little simple reasonable teaching may help; but let us beware of much talk.

A wise word here and there may be of use, but much more may be done by carefully hindering each ‘defect of its quality’ from coming into play. Give the ill weeds no room to grow. 

Charlotte Mason’s Parents and Children Vol.2 pg.84

(Sigh)  Why do I think that if I talk about something long enough and vehemently enought my point will get across?  My example says much more and does a better job then the flood of words I like to pour out upon their head.