The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1854-08-03
wHIPfiNG CnILDREN.
NJ mrs. swlssHllx.

/ We have TO ask pardon Of our Ripley cor
respondent for forgetting sooner 10 answer
her inquiry as.,o what We should do u q
caild'refased to obey us. What we should
do would depend very much on the state Of
our health. II we had swallowed rich pas
tries and scalding dfinks until our digestion
was all out Of ordei--slspt in close room,
and neglected washing until our brain was
muddled With bad ar and impurities caused
By obsiructed pespiraiion--if be had worn
one or moe skirts suspended on our sides
until we had a bsckaehe indicating diseased
spine and consequently diseased brain-if
from any cause our nervous system was de-
ranged, and we as peevish and irritable as
one must consequently be, and Q child
under our care shoald be 10 q similar con-
dition and be consequently provoking, we,
in the exercise Of the authority with which
the law invests ns, nigh. do very cruel
Thing. We might bruise the tender flesh
with blows. terriiy il into :diocy By shutting
il in dark closet, or commi, upon the help.
less, defenceless li,lls creature almost any
enormity short6f taking its life or manning
il, and do 1t all under a sense Of duty, by way
of teaching it obedience. We might frs.
destroy the child's temper by destroying its
health, and render ourself half mapiac by
like process, and in our insane anger pun
the child for what zoe ought to be punished.
and the law and public opinion would jusii.
fy the act. We are no better than ordinary
folks, and placed in like circumstances
woul be as likely 10 be wicked and cruel
as the thousands who maltreat their children
as we describe; but what we ought 10 do
and what we would do may be very differ
ent matters.
Every person, but particularly every moth
er, should be careful 10 preserve sound
mrd in sound body. The soul should
dwell in her body as the strong man who
keepeth his house, and she should take
care that no thief eers TO steal away her
senses. Anything which impairs her health
injures her mental powers and sickly
woman, unless she is one of thousand, is
fIetful woman, and a fetful woman is not
fit to have the charge of children.
A mother should take care that her child
rem get none but wholesome food, have pure
air nigh; and day, are sufficiently washed,
which should be the entire person once ev-
cry twenty -four hours. loosely and comforta-
bly, clothed, have plenty of exercise in the
open air, and employment suitable to their
ages. She should not feter them with un.
necessary rules. People who especially sci
their minds upon bringing up their childr en-
we'll, are very apt 10 govern them zoo much.
LIE, the young body and spirit grow atural-
ly, and rather with too little than too much
restraint. Preserve them, at all cost, from
improper associations. Never trust children
10 tie care and companionship Of persons
you esteem your own Inferior. Have no
servants bout them. Entrusi them only TO
the care of persons whom they are taught
10 respesa and who are worthy Of that respect.
We should as much think OF giving our
child boule of. vilriol to amuse her, as hir-
ing a girl out of some alley, of whose NOR
ais We knew next to nothing and placing
her as the chiid's attendant. Reverse tho
conmon order Of things. and instead Of civ
ing your child companlon who istoo mean
to sit al table with you, you may receive
many visitors in the best room as your COM
panions whom you should never enHus,
with the eare Of your child. Hyou do not
have the entire charge Of yonr child, en-
ploy some one the nearest possible approach
to your ideas of model lady and Chris
tan, to tsxe your place. The difference be.
tween her wages and that of servant viii
be the respect with which you treat her and
the position she occupies in your family.
If you thus place your child in proper
conditions, and are careful 10 keep the com.
mand Of your own spirit, acts Of wiyui ciso-
hedisnoe will be rare. When disobsdience
is the result of childish forsetfulness, there
should scarce he an end 10 parents for
bearsrce aud forgiveness There certain ly
never should be an approach to severe pun
ishmen:. !
A child who forgets 10 ODE y its parents is
often more than sufficiently punished by
xilhhol ding . kiss, or looking sorry; Tor ev- |
cry child should be 90 accustomed 10 cafess-
es and terms Of endearment that they would
be as necessary to iu happiness as daily
bread when they are 90, a parent who does
not govern loo much will be able 10 enforce
oil necessary commands BY looking sorry
refusing catasses until won by repentance
Ia no case should they be longer withheld
Whenever child is sorry for doing wrong
and asksto be forgiven, the recoucilie.ion
should be complete and no after menlion
made Of ths offence. Never retail ohild's
faults and punishments to another, or call
Up the memory Of past errors.
In extreme casss whssa { child purposely
and wilfuly refuses to obey, or resisis, be
sure you yourself are calm. and IL not, wait,
until you are, and then punish il until il
yislds, The best plan 10 to take Il for gram
ted that al nsuehsinsss is sicknsss, and
must Be cured by abslinsnce Of the wet
sheet bath 50, give sssfssctssy child moth.
Ing but brssd aud water, Or pack Il away 10
q wei sheet Do this gfassly and firmly q
in ca,e Of the bodily illness. not = Il you
did |. for vengasncs o. foi punishment, but
as discipiiue necessary 70 restore Il 10
heslth Ia this ihsrs is "a deesption, for .