A dictionary of Proverbs (Oxford Paperback Reference)

CHILDREN are certain cares, but uncertain comforts
The sense is reversed in the last quotation.

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  1639 J. CLARKE Paramiologia Anglo-Latina 240 Children are uncertaine comforts, but certaine cares. 1641 R. BRATHWAIT English Gentleman (ed. 3) 27 Children reflect constant cares, but uncertaine comforts. 1732 T. FULLER Gnomologia no. 1095 Children are certain Cares, but uncertain comforts. 1885 E. J. HARDY How to be Happy though Married xvi. Children are not ‘certain sorrows and uncertain pleasures’ when properly managed. 1915 J. WEBSTER Dear Enemy 203 My new little family has driven everything out of my mind. Bairns are certain joy, but nae sma’ care. ■ children and parents
  

CHILDREN should be seen and not heard
Originally applied specifically to (young) women.

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  c 1400 J. MIRK Festial (EETS) I. 230 Hyt ys an old Englysch sawe [saying]: ‘A mayde schuld be seen, but not herd.’ 1560 T. BECON Works I. Bbb2 This also must honest maids provide, that they be not full of tongue. .. A maid should be seen, and not heard. 1773 R. GRAVES Spiritual Quixote I. III. xviii. It is a vulgar maxim, ‘that a pretty woman should rather be seen than heard’. 1820 J. Q. ADAMS Memoirs (1875) V. xii. My dear mother’s constant lesson in childhood, that children in company should be seen and not heard. 1959 M. BRADBURY Eating People is Wrong ii. ‘You think that children should be seen and not heard then?’ asked the novelist. 2002 Times 2 2 May 8 But although mothers may not want to draw attention to themselves,.. there is never any guarantee that their baby.. has yet learnt the old maxim that children should be seen and not heard. ■ children; manners
  

children see also the DEVIL’S children have the Devil’s luck; FOOLS and bairns should never see half-done work; HEAVEN protects children, sailors, and drunken men.