It is not necessary to tell them “do this”, “do that”, “not this way”, “not that way”. After we do the basic things we need to entrust the “screwdriver” to God and He will know how much to tighten the “screws”.

We need to feed our children piety together with breast milk, so to say, and not when they can eat solid food, because while they are young, children will follow the model of their parents, they copy them. At this stage we need to make sure that our children “record” love and kindness. And when they will grow old, we need to pay attention and act with care – as for instance when we set a watch. If the axe is weakened, we set it with care so that we don’t ruin it.

We need to kindly explain our children why it is good to this and that and why they should do differently. It is not necessary to tell them “do this”, “do that”, “not this way”, “not that way”. After we do the basic things we need to entrust the “screwdriver” to God and He will know how much to tighten the “screws”. Don’t trust too much in yourself and think that you are able to do everything by yourself (Abbot Paisios the Athonite).

(Translation from: Cum să educăm ortodox copilul, Editura Sophia, 2011, pp. 78-79)