Interesting perspective on parenthood from the bachelor Maximilian Morrel in The Count of Monte Cristo:
“Ah, you are playing with me, like those good or rather selfish mothers who soothe their children with honied words, because their screams annoy them.” (p. 1347)
Ouch. I’m afraid I have at times been guilty of selfishly soothing screaming children rather than disciplining and training them. Isn’t it funny (odd funny, certainly not ha-ha funny!) how little bits of conviction pop up in the most surprising places?
Mary Jo