“The printing press puts into the hands of parents a means of good which they may use to the greatest advantage in the culture of their home life and in the shaping of the lives of their household. But they must keep a most diligent watch over the pages that they introduce. They should know the character of every book and paper that comes within their doors, and should resolutely exclude everything that would defile.

“Then, while they exclude everything whose influence would be for evil, if they are wise they will bring into their home as much as possible of pure, elevating, and refining literature. Every beautiful thought that enters a child’s mind adds to the strength and loveliness of the character in after days. The educating influence of the best books and papers is incalculable, and no parent can afford to lose it in the training of his family.”

When I homeschooled my children, I used the reading books chosen by Sonlight curriculum. Their books were fantastic, and all of my children learned to love to read. They read biographies of missionaries which strengthened their faith. They only read books with good character and integrity. I didn’t allow any books into my home that weren’t decent or had anything to do with Satan and witchcraft. You must be diligent with what your children read and watch.

“God wants us to fill our homes with happiness. He made childhood joyous, full of life, bubbling over with laughter, playful, bright and sunny. It is a crime to repress the mirth and the gladness and to try to make children grave and stately. Life’s burdens will come soon enough to lie upon their shoulders. Life will soon enough bring care and anxiety and hardship and a weight of responsibility. We should let them be young and free from care just as long as possible. We should put into their childhood days just as much sunshine and gladness, just as much cheerful pleasure as possible.

“Besides the way also to make them strong and noble in character when they grow up to manhood and womanhood is to make their childhood and youth both bright and happy. If you want to produce a vigorous, healthy plant, you will not bring it up in a dark room; you will give it all the sunshine it will take. Human lives will never grow into their best in gloom. Pour the sunshine about them in youth; let them be happy; encourage all innocent joy; provide pleasant games for them; be a child again among them. Then God’s blessing will come upon your home, and your children will grow up sunny hearted, gentle, affectionate, joyous themselves and joy bearers to the world.” (These words were written in 1882 by J.R. Miller in his book Homemaking.)

Teach your children from a young age to dwell upon the good and the lovely (Philippians 4:8). Teach them to love what God loves and to hate what God hates. This will be a blessing to them all of their lives.

I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when wilt thou come unto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart. I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.
Psalm 101:2,3