Cheraw gazette. [volume] (Cheraw, S.C.) 1835-1838, 1836-06-07
PARENTS DEPARTMENT
From the Mothers Magazine.
FAMILY GOVERNMENT.
BEGIN IN SEASON.


Ihave friend, who was left widow
several years since, with family Of several
small children. Perhaps this afliction,
connected with false maternal tenderness,
might exert some influence in leading her to
feel unwilling to use any very efficient
measures to secure obedience, on the part of
her children, to her requirements. She has
been often heard to say, that she never
struck her children. How successful she
was in managing the older ones, am not
able to say; but the youngest was rather
stubborn, and more difficult to curb; and
for some reasons not very difficult to ina
CINE. John (for this was his name) had
found out that positive command from his
mother was not always accompanied with
the purpose, on her part, to have the COM
mand obeyed. 1t is perfectly natural to
suppose, therefore, that when what was re-
quired, did not comport with his inclinations,
he was very likely to take his own time to
consider whether he would obey or not.
This often occasioned contention, some
thing like the folowing;-
Nov, John, why don't you mind! |
want you to do it quick-step right along
or III see to you. 1neyer did see such a
child it is more work, to get you to do any
thing, than it is to do it myself half a dozen
times" And then, perhaps, the mother
would 60, and do herself what she had. re.
quired John to do.
When John had got TO be something ola
boy, he attended select school IN the
neighborhood, taught by his Oldest sister.
1t will readily be supposed that he would
not be more likely to conform to the regula.
tons Of the school, and obey sister, than
he was to obey his mother. He was bad
boy; and scarcely any thing could be done
with him, but to let him do pretty much as
he chose. This of course tried the feelings
of the teacher and sister, and kept the school
in confusion. One day, as they were all
seated at their table, at dinner, the Oldest
sister introduced her complaint of Johns
conduct at school, and it was finally agreed
that the sister should hold him, and the
mother give deserved fogging, for his in
subordination at school. But in defending
himself against this unceremonious attack,
John set the chairs into pretty brisk move
mcnt about the room,-came very near
upsetting the table, crockery and all; and
finally, sprang through the door, slammed
it after him, with force enough almost to
stare it to pieces, and escaped to the open
air, out of the reach Of his pursuers, and
then made his appearance at the window,
held parley with his antagonists, laughed
about his successful escape, and made them
laugh too. But this was such triumph
as should have made that mother mourn
over her unfaithfulness to her child, in his
earlier days. Solomon has said, "The rod
and reproof give wisdom" Although am
not in favor of constant fagellation, still
the "rod" may sometimes be necessary.
But it would be less frequently needed, did
mothers "5egin IN season" to teach their
little ones the necessity of obedienee-strict,
unhesitahng obedience. Ifthe parent is fit
to be a parent, she will not give an unfeason-
able command, and when the command is
given the child should know that parleying
is altogether out of the question; and that,
with the reason for the requirement or the
propriety Of it, he has nothing to do
Simple, unquestioning obedience is demand.
ed, and must be yielded.
A child may be made, very early, to un.
derstand this; and whenthe habit is settled
and fixed, and no command is given which
it is not designed shall be obeyed, the rod
will very seldom be needed; therefore, let
me say to mothers, BEGIN IN SEASON.
BEGIN RIGHT.
This is as necessary as to "begln in
season." and perhaps more so. Parents are
little aware how very early children are
capable of understanding their language
and their conduct. Let command be
given to child, and then fail to insist on u
full compliance, and you teach that child to
disregard your requirements. Ifyou would
have your child respect your commands,
respect them yourself; let him understand
that you mean Just what you say, when you
tell him to do this or that: no matter wheth-
or the thing be in itself of little or of great
consequence. First, in your own mind SET
tie its propriety, and then kindly, but yet
firmly, insist upon unconditional compliance.
But there is another point of great i'm
portance, if parents would "begin right"
j. c., let there be no appearance of inter-
ference, or collision between the parents, in
regard to the exercise of their authority.
If any point, in relation to this subject, is to
be discussed or settled between the parents,
let it be done in the absence Of the child.
Let him hear a single word from one parent
in remonstrance against the punishment
which the other inficts, and he regards it as
an interference in his behalf and their
authority is ruined, and the child is strength
ILL., <,,l L.. =aG,sal 70