Counsels for the Church - Ellen G. White

The father would view his labors in a more modest light, while the mother
would have new courage and energy to pursue her labor with wisdom,
perseverance, and patience. Now she knows its value. While the father has
been dealing with the things which must perish and pass away, the mother
has been dealing with developing minds and character, working not only for
time but for eternity.
The father's duty to his children cannot be transferred to the mother. If
she performs her own duty, she has burden enough to bear. Only by working
in unison can the father and mother accomplish the work which God has
committed to their hands.
The father should not excuse himself from his part in the work of
educating his children for life and immortality. He must share in the
responsibility. There is obligation for both father and mother. There must be
love and respect manifested by the parents for one another, if they would see
these qualities developed in their children.
The father of boys should come into close contact with his sons, giving
them the benefit of his larger experience and talking with them in such
simplicity and tenderness that he binds them to his heart. He should let them
see that he has their best interest, their happiness, in view all the time.
He who has a family of boys must understand that, whatever his calling,
he is never to neglect the souls placed in his care. He has brought these
children into the world and has made himself responsible to God to do
everything in his power to keep them from unsanctified associations, from
evil companionship. He should not leave his restless boys wholly to the care
of the mother. This is too heavy a burden for her. He must arrange matters
for the best interests of the mother and the children. It may be very hard for
the mother to exercise self-control and to manage wisely in the training of
her children. If this is the case, the father should take more of the burden
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