Family Circle

Things that occur consistently within the family circle influence a child more than whatever happens outside. When family feeling is positive and strong, other influences can be neutralized.

In my childhood home, the art of conversation was taken seriously. Sometimes we would spend an hour after dinner talking around the table. I don’t recall the little ones fussing. Mother would hold the baby and Daddy would hold the next and I suppose I’d hold the next. There was togetherness in it. Mealtime conversation bonded us and taught us to get along with all kinds of people once we were out on our own.

In the Walter Trobisch family, my husband would announce, “Children we’re going to have devotions.”

Our youngest…would say, “Okay, but make it short!” And he did.

Ingrid Trobisch
taken from
Keeper of the Springs: Making Home The Place For Which You’re Longing

Ten Golden Rules About Parenting

1. Parent effectiveness depends on partner-effectiveness.
2. Treat each child as an only child at least once a week.
3. Establish traffic rules: Meal time – Bedtime – Chores.
4. Every child should have a “place,” a drawer, a shelf, and know which toys and books are his. Siblings learn to respect the property of others.
5. The greatest molding factors in the life of a child are the conversations that go on around the dinner table.
6. Catch your child doing something right.
7. If you want respect, give respect.
8. Laugh with your children
9. Have them, love them, let them go.
10. Bless your child.

by Ingrid Trobisch