We need not do anything to make children happy. They are naturally happy in themselves. From the joy which God sheds within their souls like sunlight, joy shines upon everything without, and is reflected back from all. No poet ever had a more brilliant fancy, no philosopher busier thoughts! Children can create for themselves an ocean from a cup of water, a ship from a bit of straw, and summon out of bits of paper, or out of nothing, men and women, kings and queens, to obey their commands and contribute to their amusements. They are planning, contriving, and enjoying all day long. With all this God has placed them in his own school of providence, and in ten thousand ways, too many to number and too deep to understand, he is educating them, and teaching them lessons innumerable. He is doing so chiefly through what you yourselves are; and by the constant influence which is unconsciously exercised in the household by your own personal character.

Some Victorian parenting advice still rings true.