The most crucial period of mental growth is between one and three years of age. During this time, children form many of the belief patterns that stay with them for the rest of their lives. If they feel love, acceptance, and security, they will grow up with a more stable outlook. Most of us realize that a healthy self-esteem is not formed overnight. It requires the right kind of building materials in order to withstand the emotional ups and downs of life.
Parental devotion is hard to replace.
A nother element in becoming the right kind of mother is commitment. Hannah was totally committed to God first and then to her family. Children sense levels of commitment. While they may have a difficult time expressing exactly what they feel, they know when a parent or loved one is more interested in work or social involvement than in them. The pressures surrounding Hannah were just as great as they are for us, but she refused to lay aside her commitment as a wife and mother.