It may be laid down as a fundamental fact that the real influence of the parents over their child begins a year or more before its birth. To bring a child into this world thoughtlessly is a crime first against that child and second against society. The parents’, and more especially the mother’s thoughts and habits for at least three months prior to conception of the child, directly molds or modifies the essential character and possibilities of that child. This is now a fact so well established that it needs no argument. Never for one instant should they lose sight of this fact or forget their responsibility. The well-known historical case of Cardon, the criminal, is a terrible evidence. Both his parents were moral, highly respected citizens. But the boy was an unwelcome child and during the conception period the mother was cross and constantly wishing she could destroy the foetus. After the birth she found she loved the child, but could not control him. He became one of the worst of criminals and the father of other criminals. It is a fact beyond dispute that children who are not loved before birth are very seldom affectionate, companionable or agreeable.
The mother, by keeping her thoughts, hopes and aspirations constantly and persistently upon high and noble things during pregnancy, can largely influence the character of the future child. Napoleon’s mother, during the month preceding his birth, became intensely interested in the struggle of her native island for freedom. She became thoroughly imbued with the thought of warfare and the desire for conquest. She thought of little else than conquering the enemy who had invaded Corsica. Napoleon was the natural outcome. And so every woman may give to her expected child the greatest education and training of its life through ante-natal suggestion.
After birth the nursing infant drinks in, with its mother’s milk, many lessons or influences that affect its entire future life, either for weal or woe. Anger, irritability, nervousness, peevishness, pugnacity and other kindred evils, or on the other hand, courage, even temper or happy dispositions are awakened in the child’s mind and stimulated, from the mother’s inner life through the life-giving fluid flowing from her breasts.
This information was taken from Vitalogy, a real medical book published in 1923. This column is for entertainment only and should not be taken as advice by anyone, ever.