The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1830-09-08
PATERNAL GOvERNMENT

The principle of right and sorong should be
early and sedulously instiIled into the minds of
children and their little actions referred to this
standard. They should be taught to feel that
they are happier, when they are good; and
thus their affection and their reason will be
enlisted on tho side of virtue. Kisses and
praises should never be too lavishly bestowed.
and that too when the parent is conscious of
sort of paroxysm of tenderness; it wears too
much the appearance Of caprice. The child
should consider these as the rewards of right
conduct that he is loved because he is good
When tho child's habits of thinking are thus
formed, any display of tenderness on the part oc
the parent will be more priced, and the with
holding of the accustomed kiss, when the child
retires at night, will in general be sufficient
punishment for any offence. And while it is
withholden, the propriety of such punishment
should be calmly and affectionately pointed
out and the manner of the parent should con-
vince the child that he grieved at his conduct
which has rendered the denial necessary. The
writer of this article can speak from expert
ence on this subject, as it is the course she has
pursued in regard to her own child. Having
had occasion in the course of the day to reprove
him for an offence, for which he had before
been repremanded, she called bis attention par
ticularly to tho nature of it, and added, that to
make him circumspect in future, she would
] not kiss him when he went to bed. He SEEM
| ed grieved for few moments, but was soon
engrossed in play.
When he was ready to retire, he was called
upon, as usual, to tell what he had done that
was wrong during the day. His little memory
! instantly REQUIRED to the circumstance men.
toned, and he burst into tears Mother, :
said he, {" want you to kiss me, but it would
not be right because you said you shouldn't
but will try to do better next time" coulC
have clasped him to my bosom, but duty for
babe, and he retired with an affectionate goo,
night. By delerring the punishment unit
night, a habit of reflection is established in thu
child, and he is prepared to reason upon hi
own and his parents conduct, with cooines
! and impartiality. Parents should endeavor t
| set an example of the most perfect rectitud
before their children. 4" You must do yo
said" remarked a little boy to his mother, be
E cause sha'nt love you if you're not good.
What hint to q parent to persevere in Tn
path of rectitude and propriety. A paren
!. should never threaten what no is unable or un
! willing to perform his conduct and iangnag
s should always DO consistent and reasonable
c otherwise, the child will have little respect 70
his opinions or actions.
2 If he threatens and neglects TO perform whs
8 he has threatened the evil is twoiold he veal
/, ems his government, and foriets his wor
!. Children are more acute In such matters, tina
. Darepts are apt to imagine. The child finds h
= parcnt's word is not to be depended upon, ar
N he soon becomes as little scrupulous in rega
s. to keeping his own word. How can pare
l. reprovo child for iasshood, IL falsehood is Il
70 example he sets before him