Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-10-15
Family Training, No. z.

And how shall our children be taught
practically the important principals Of poit-
ical economy?
The moro common way of furnishing
money to children is to give it to them only
when they ask for it, aud in quantities de-.
termlned by the frequency aud Importantly
of their calls. Let us inquire how this
method operates in practical way. If the
boy finds that he can be gratifed only
through importantly and servility, he will
soon lose all feelings Of delicacy and family
pride in business matters. He will learn to
gain his object through artfulness and per.
tlnacity, and will have little inducemeut to
take care of his money, to form plans of OK.
penditure, or to practice self-denial. The
amount to be obtained does not depend upon
his frugality or financial skill but upon his
coaxing aud persisting Hence the tendency
| of this fitful and uncertain method of obtain
ing money is to foster the growth Of all the
ignoble propenisties of the boys nature, and
to discourage the cultivation of his better
qualities. s. 3a'i.
would therefore venture to suggest a
more excellent way. Let the parents FIX
upon definite sum of money to be given the
child at stated times. 1t may be a weekly
or monthly allowance, of such an amount as
is thought best for the child to control.
This should always DO promptly paid, and
left entirely at the disposal Of the party re.
ceiving it. Prompt payments by parents
tend 10 cultivate the same habit in children,
and giving them the control OF their own
money enables the parents to instruct them,
and to train them from their earliest years
to habits of forecast, thrift, economy and be-
nevolence. They must be taught to distiu.
guish between the useful and the injurious,
and encouraged to spend their money only
for what is harmless or really beneficial, for
their own qualification and to contribute to
the relief Of the suffering and needy, remem.
bering that sit is more blessed to give than
to receive"
1t is sometimes objected that this method
of furnishing money to children leads them
to regard these regular payments as debts,
instead of gifts from their parents, and hence
they are liable to loose all feelings Of obliga.
tion but ii is not necessarily 30. This sys.
tematic arrangement does not prevent occa-
sional gifts afterwards Of merit or expressions
Of parental affection. The object to be
gained is the cultivation Of correct habits in
the use Of money and in business life more
than the winning Of affection. Besides the
bestOwing Of too many gifts upon children
results la the cultivation of sel6shness instead
Of love and sense Of obligation. This
should be avoided. '.ala.|
A still better way may low be suggested,
Open an account with these children, or es.
tablish savings bank where they can deposit
their money for safe keeping Let each one
have separate book Of suitable size, aud
properly ruled, in which the weekly allow.
AnOo is to be credited, and all sums which
the child desires to draw be charged This
enables the child early TO become familiar
with business forms, and hAbituatSd TO The
management Of thsirlOwn affairs, ina system
attic manner and after short time, and
with proper instruction, they can keep their
own books, and transact their own business.
These business transactions will lay the
foundation for a successful business life.
.ioH y gll PARENs