What does the Little House on the Prairie series of books have to do with our world today? It seems that it doesn't have much--the worlds are so totally different. But each week I set aside time to sit with my seven year old daughter and read to her Laura Ingalls Wilder's classics. What do I learn from these wonderful true stories?

I learn that there was no whining. Everyone worked hard. Ma, Pa, the girls. They worked hard from before the crack of dawn to sundown (or beyond). And no one whined. They all knew that life is hard, but rewarding. They all stayed busy to survive, but they also had time for recreation. And their moments of self-made entertainment were infinitely rich and rewarding.

The family valued their independence; their liberty. At no time do you ever hear from their lips, "I wish the Government would do more for me. I wish the Government would give me a job, health care, more benefits."

They had discipline in the home. When Pa cleaned his gun, the girls were made to watch and tell him if he made a mistake. He did this to teach them. Then, he loaded the musket and left it loaded on the wall. Why is it that no child dared to touch the gun? Because they were all trained and disciplined from their earliest memories to respect the authority of the parents. You never see Pa and Ma chasing after a bunch of out of control children.

Pa Ingalls is a tower of strength. He is the one who provides strength, safety, and wisdom. Compare this image of fatherhood with entertainment on TV today. The father is usually portrayed as an idiot. But Pa Ingalls is good. He's humorous, hard-working, responsible, intelligent and loves his wife and daughters.

Read the Little House books again, or for the first time. It'll do you and your family a world of good.