Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1877-07-13
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Vacation time and Fourth Of July have
come together, and while everybody is
"shouting the battle-cry OF Freedom" we
put in timely plea for the children. If
they were given more freedom and guild
ance, and less watching and leading, vaca-
ton time would be more welcome than we
fear it now is, to many fathers and moth
ers. There is too much coddling and anx-
ious care, aud superfluous supervision,
and thoughtless denials Of innocent pleas
ures, aud general worry and nervousness,
in the policy Of many parents touching
their children. They don't "let them alone
enough. 1.-the, light-footed, active little
chaps of nine to twelve years of age,-as
brimrul of life and play as kitten, and IN
about as much danger Of "over-doing," =
are constantly cautioned against running
and playing too much, or climbing trees,
or mounting walls, or clambering over
rocks, or doing anything that boys love TO
do, and have been doing without accident
in greater proportion than one TO hun
dred thousand, ever since the world began.
Children still smaller have their pleas
ures, and often their health, sacrificed TO
their good clothes. We can hardly con-
ceive of more wretehed state for normal
child than the period of white dresses, fan
cy stockings, thin shoes, beautiful sashes
and other fine fixings so dear to the mater
nal heart. And it is a matter for rejoicing
that so many parents are rebelling against
the foolish custom OF making dolls of their
darlings, and now reserve their tnery fol
"dress parade" dressing them for the long
play hours in a manner indicating that
clothes are made for the children, and not
children for the clothes.
But even parents wise enough to give
their children plenty Of liberty in healthiul
and sensible directions, hamper them toe
muck with petty restrictions, and give
themselves unnecessary trouble in theii
care. Especially when out for summer
vacation-when one part of the family
wants repose, and the other "lun," with all
that includes, SHOULD the wise parent
know how not to see or hear everything
The philosophy of not giving ones mind
to it is rarely better applied than to the
care of children in such circumstances
The usual sharp lookout will keep the
mother calling Don't" Mustn't
"Stop," &C.," "Come," all day long, will
occasional lectures and disciplinary eau
lions thrown in; and night will find tht
children cross, and the mother "all worn
| out" And no wonder!
Try little judicious letting alone. Tit
danger is often in your own nervous fan
cies the little quarrel will blow over likt
a summer cloud; the chickens will bt
chased but not killed; puss and the dol
can take care of themselves; the swim.
won't break the sooner for not being watch
ed the tide won't come in with n suddei
rush because you are not there to scream
warnings every ten minutes; a little fal
from the tree or rock will teach your DO,
caution more surely than forty lectures
Leave them alone one day, and see, /,
your surprise, perhaps, that they are ac
tually alive and only healthiully tired a
night. Save your "Does" for essentia
things, and say Eyes" promptly and cheer
| fully to the things that seem so little to you
but are actually big to the children. Keel
at least one eye and one ear shut. Teac
your children sell-reliance by leaving then
to rely on themselves, and don't fritte
away parental authority on trivial ant
transient things. So shall vacation time b
season of mutual delight and profit Col
den Rule.