It occurred to me after editing a newsletter for one of our religious clients that children are best raised in the monastery of the home.
In other words, children are called to the three evangelical counsels by their parents to aid them in growing up. So, they can’t buy everything (poverty). They must respect their sexuality and that of others (chastity). And they must do what their parents say (obedience).
The evangelical counsels are the best guidelines for training children. The children get training in these virtues, which for adults are a higher calling than the state of the laity. Thus, the children’s passions are brought under control and they develop a high degree of character.
When they get older, they will discover their vocation and be well suited to pursue whichever it is.
Here is the article by St. Francis de Sales that inspired these thoughts, “Of The Conformity Of Our Will To That Will Of God Which Is Signified Unto Us By His Counsels.”
