1 88 PRENATAL CULTURE. 



grew up she would have no strong bond of 

 affection with which to control its life. I asked 

 her if the child was desired and tenderly loved 

 before it was born. She replied, "No, I can not 

 say that it was; really my husband and I did 

 not care to raise a family, and not until the 

 P er id of gestation was well nigh over could I 

 reconcile myself to becoming a mother. It was 

 such a disappointment to us that I almost formed 

 a dislike for the intruder. Of course I knew that 

 the child was not to blame for its existence, but 

 still I cannot say that I ever loved it until after 

 its birth; but O my! it just seems to me now 

 that I could give my life for it." In this con- 

 fession she undoubtedly revealed the cause of her 

 child's cold, indifferent nature. I have met many 



like cases, but never have I heard such a corn- 

 Source of Filial , . , . , ,.,, 

 Affection. plaint from a mother whose children were desired 



by both parents and fondly loved during the 

 prenatal period. Too much emphasis cannot be 

 placed upon this subject. Filial affection in child- 

 ren is the reflection of parental love in parents. 

 Self-respect and some worthy ambition should 

 be interwoven into the life of every child. No 

 man ever rises above his ideals. Self-respect is the 



basis of character. A low estimation of one's 

 Self-Respect and ., .... . 1 r 7- 



Ambition. possibilities means certain defeat. Every man 



who wins must believe in himself ; must have an 

 ambition to rise; must feel that time and oppor- 

 tunity are all he needs to enable him to achieve 

 his ideals. 



To cultivate these attributes one should ever 

 hold in mind some high ideal, some worthy am- 

 bition; then strive to attain it, to bring the 



