Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1869-07-07
FT0H HVUVY-H LnIIC" HOOK
Keep Near TO Your Children.

From Godcy's Ladlcs' book.
Keep Near TO Your Children.
We think parents lose much, both of pleas.
ure TO themselves aud Of influence over thoir
children, by assuming too great degree oi
dignity. kxclusiyenoss is bar TO all conf
denco, and the child who feels too great awe
to give its confidence freely to its parents
will soon learn to deceive. We do not be-
lievc in encouraging children to tell each lit.
tie incident or conversation with ts play.
mates or friends this would lead to gossip
one Of the lowest Of all petty vices And a
child who is taught to tattle, by this meani
will soon, very naturally, learn to tell an.
truths for the very purpose Of giving you
pleasure. Having really nothing wonderful
to relate, he will invent something. This is
the true source Of gossip among grown up
! people. Not being sufficiently intelligent to
lead conversation into the channels Of litera.
ture, science, or art, they naturally (as polite
ness and desire to please require that they
talk Of something) converse about their neigh.
bors and their aiiairs-andin case they know
but little Of these, they imagine a great deal
aud tell it for the truth.
| But children should be spoken to freely
about their little joys and sorrows and as
they need great deal Of eympathy in their
troubles, and Of encouragement in their en-
deayors, it should certainly be given them.
| We pity the man or woman who cannot re-
member the joy little petting aud little
appreciation gave when he OF she was n child
The hunger Of the childish heart is almost
fearful in its lonely, unloved life, as many
are iated to know and kindness can mould
them into any shape you desire, as the warm
summer sun will soften to your purpose the
hardest wax Benjamin West said that his
mothers kiss made him painter. Who can
calculate the number of children whose souls
starved for sympathy until they grew reckless
Of everything and ceased to "try, try again, ="
simply because they had no incentive TO try
When we grow too old to remember how
we felt when VIC we're young we shall no
longer be fitted 70 guide one Of these little
ones. Many fathers and mothers might be
far happier if they would only remember this.
A grown up person can never be too simple
too childlike, in his or her manner when
with children. Never grow too far from
them BE to them elder brothers and sis
ters, rather than rabbis or queens. Let them
see that their little wants are understood
Trihes make up life, and half the sorrow of
earth comes from not being understood Lit
tie attentions are dearer to the heart than
great and costly presents. join in your chill
dren's games-listen to their thoughts and
encourage their expression. Never laugh at
child for telling its simple childlike thoughts.
Nothing checks openness so much as ridicule.
A child would much rather be taken alone
and scolded heartily, or punished severely,
than be ridiculed before company. Nothing
is so mortiiying-so apt to engender bitter
ness and hate as this, and parents and elder
brothers aud sisters should avoid it by all
means.
Invent every possible amusement to keep
your boys happy at home evenings. Never
mind if they do make q noise around you
with their whistling and hurrahing We
would stand aghast if we could have a vision
of the young men gone to utter destruction
for the very reason that having cold, dis
agreeable, dull stiff fresides at home they
sought amusement elsewhere The influence
Of a loving mother or sister is incalculable.
Like the circle formed by casting a stone
into the water, il goes on and on through a
mans whole life. Circumstances and worldly
pleasures may weaken the remembrance for a
time, but each touch upon the chord of memo
~ will awaken the 5ld-time music, and her
face, her voice, and her loving words will
come up before him like a revelation. The
influence will last while life continucs-and
who shall say it is foolish or vain ? Give
them your love-your full abundant, and
overdowing love, and it will bring you rich
reward
The time will come before you think, when
you would give the world to have your house
tumbled by the dear hands OF those very
boys; when your heart shall long for their
noisy steps in the hall, and their ruddy checks
laid up to yours when you would rather
have their jolly whistle than the music of
Strackosh or songs of Jenny Lind when
you would gladly have dirty carpets, aye, live
without carpets at all, but to have their bright
strong forms beside you once more. Then
play with and pet them. Praise Johnny's
drawing, Bettys music, and babys first at
tempt at writing his name. Encourage Tom
10 chop off his stick of wood, and Dick to
persevere in making his hen-coop. If one
shows a talent for figures, tell him he is to be
your famous mathematician, and ii another
loves geography, tell him he will be sure to
make great traveller or foreign minister
Go with them TO see their young rabbits, and
chickens, and pigeons-and down to the creek
fall to see their hutter-mill in full operation.
Have them gather your MOSES, and grasses,
and bright autumn leaves to decorate their
rooms when the snow is over all the earth
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