Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1875-05-21
Mark TWain's Advice on Domestic
Discipline.

ACCORDING to my observation, the
most difficult time to bring up II child Is
in the morning. You can sometimes, |
though seldom, bring them up in the |
morning by yelling at them; but the |
effectiveness of the process dlmlnlshes
with its repetition, even when not entire.
ly neutrallzed by the children's trick OF
stopping their ears with the bed-clothes.
The only promPt effective and EDS SDsolute
If your child has good, healthy scalp,
without any tendency to premature
badness, this method will work with the
most gratifying efficiency. Try it about
once a week, and you will be surprised
to observe how its influence will extend
through the six days, inspiring your
child with the liveliest possible interest
in the resplendent pageantry of sunrise.
The firing up of darling child by the
hair requires the exercise of some energy
and firmness; but no affectionate parent
will hesitate at the little sacrifice of this
kind for the welfare of his offspring.
Nothing can be more fatal to your dis
cipline than to allow your children to
contradict you. If you happen to be
betrayed into any misstatement or eX-
aggeratiol in their presence, don't per
nit them to correct you. Right or
wrong you must obstinately insist on
your own infallibility and promptly
suppress with force if need be. The mo-
ment you permit them to doubt your
unerring wisdom you will begin to for
felt their respect and pander tc their
conceit. There can be no sadder 9pecta-
Gle than parent surrounded by olive
branches who think that they know
more than he does. vividly remember
how my fatheT-who was one of the
most rigid and successful of discipline
rians-quelled the aspiring egotism that
prompted me TO correct his careless re-
mark when he was reckoning problem
in shillings) that five times twelve was
sixty-two and half. 80" said he,
climbing over his spectacles, and sur
veying me grimly, eye think ye know
more'n yer father, heyY Come ere TO
men His invitation was too pressing to
be declined, and for a few excruciating
, moments | reposed in bitter humiliation
across his left knee, with my neck IN the
embrace of his left arm.
didn't see him demonstrate his math'
ematical accuracy with the palm of his
v right hand ON the largest patch on my
: trowsers, but l felt that the old man was
! right; and when, after completely eradi
4 eating my faith in the multiplication
q table, he asked me how much five time
J. twelve was, l insisted with tears in m,
d eyes that it was sixty-two and half
v "'rhat's right" said he, "Pll learn ye u
n respect your father if have to thrash y,
4. twelve times d day. Now go'n waite
, them hosses, n be lively, tool" The oil
Is gentleman didn't permit my respect 70
is him to wane much until the intiammi
m tory rheumatism disabled him, and eve
ar then he continued TO inspire me wit
.n awe until was thoroughly convince
o. that his disability was permanent.
H. Unquestioning obedience is the crown
n ing grace of childhood. When you te
a your child to do anything and b
A. stops to inquire why, it is advisable
Of kindly but firmly fetch him a rap acroi
an the ear and inform him That's why
th He will soon get in the way of startin
IN with charming alacritY at the word
ne command.
re One of the most inveterate and ammo.
al ing traits of children is inquisitivenes
IS If you are inconsiderate enough to q
On tempt to satisfy their omniyerous cuI
US osity, you may as well prepare TO add
ne cate, for you will be nonplused by the
as questions dozen times day, and
or your weak sagacity will be hopeless
on compromised. An average child is
al. magazine of unconquerable and disco
zee certed conundrums. You cannot expe
, a children TO have much reverence for
To parent whose ignorance they can expo
ess twice out of three times trying. II
ty. well enough TO answer an easy questi
nd now and then, just to convince them tn
it YOU can when you choose but when tn
nly come at you with poser tell thel
Of "Oh, never mindp or "Shut up" and tn
md they will grow up independent and 81
ual reliant and restrained only by vene
lu- tion from splitting your head open
wv find out how it holds so much inform
md ton without letting more of u out.
.rm II would be neutrality-suspicious.
ere estimate the beneficial effect that wo'
in. be entailed upon their children If p
18th ents generally would adopt the meth
vho here vaguely indicated.