Support for the Development of Children, Youth, and Adults with Multiple Disabilities

If children had teachers for judgment and eloquence as they have for languages, if their memory was exercised less than their energy or their natural genius, if instead of deadening their vivacity of mind we tried to elevate the free scope and impulses of their souls, what might not result from a fine disposition? As it is, we forget that courage, or love of truth and glory are the virtues that matter most in youth; and our one endeavor is to subdue our children’s spirits, in order to teach them that dependence and suppleness are the first laws of success in life.

Our youth we can have but to-day;
We may always find time to grow old.

The first duty towards children is to make them happy. If you have not made them so, you have wronged them. No other good they may get can make up for that.