Parenting is one the most difficult tasks in the world. It is filled with great joy as well as frustration. Susanna Wesley, the mother of John and Charles Wesley, was a great mother. She was married to Samuel Wesley at the age of 19. Susanna and Samuel Wesley had 19 children. Nine of her children died as infants. Four of the children that died were twins. A maid accidentally smothered one child. At her death only eight of her children were still alive.
Susanna had some unique parenting principles. She rasied her children as a single parent for some of the time, because her husband spent time in jail.
- Children will be taught to pray as soon as they can speak.
- Children will not receive what they cry for, and only what they ask for politely.
- To prevent lying, children will not be punished for what they confess and repent of.
- Children will not be punished twice for a single offense.
- Good behavior will be commended and rewarded.
- Any attempt to please, no matter how poorly performed, will be commended.
- Property rights will be preserved, even in minute matters.
- Children will be taught to fear the Lord.
