Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-02-13
" MOtherlng I" the Children.

As regards the care of the children it is
almost impossible that there can be any su
perfuities To every true mother, their wei
fare is first and foremost. Better that cob
webs festoon our parlor walls, and dust liz
inch deep on our books, than that we neglect
our children for anything, no matter how
good that thing in itself may be. Missionary
meetings at one end of the scale, and ball
md fashionable socisty at the other, are all
blameworthy, if on account OF them tn
children suffer. When couture" turIs
them over TO the tender merces of servants
it becomes only refined foim of selhshness
BY caring for the children, do not meai
providing them with plenty of wholesom
food and warm, clean clothing merely, but /
would also include that indefinabe some
thing which, for want of a better word, ]
call mothering." 1t consists in acts of loN
lng, mothery attention, such AS taking vi
he tired baby toward nighi-fall, aud nest
lug him in your arms for a little rest, -an
IN calling the equally tired older child frou
ner too-absorbiug play, aud by quiet CONVEX
,ation soothing her busy brain into condl
lion for resttul sleep, instead of leaving 1t 10
loss the weary body through hours Of un
asy dreaming. IL will lead you to cheer
luly lay down the interesting book o.
fascinating sewing to cover Tommy's ball o.
loop up the refractory overskirt Tor Bessie,
doll, aud patiently TO restore order afteI
| your dining-room has been turned into Pan
demonum on a Saturday afternoo1 by Harry
and the boys" 1t will help you TO teaci
both plaintiff and defendant in family
quarrel something about the rights of botl
persons and property, and to show them tha
there can be honor among children as wei
AS among thieves, These things take time
and plenty of it, but they are part OF 1
child's birthright But some mother
"mother" their children too much, don
they? To be sure they do; there's a differ
ence in hens, even; some cluck and scratcl
aud hustle about with so much materna
eagerness and ignorance as 10 tread the lif
out of half their chicks while others &,
clucking around in an amiable, comfortabl
fashion, always spreading their wings II
just the right moment TO shelter their broo'
from every real or imaginary danger. Thes
are the hens farmers keep TO "set." The
are such "good mothers, and their chicken
always turn out well. So il is with children
Where every want is anticipated, where
child seldom does anything for itself,
dressed and undressed, rocked and amuse
long past babyhood, is never allowed 10 tr
| tAptIlintnlS anu hidhc ldllultSi tut ulOtut
becomes slave and the child helples
doll, There is such a thing as judiciou
neglect in the care of children BY this
mean careful careessness which allow
} them to look out for themselves as far q
they safely can, but yet is always ready
step in at just the right moment. To
sure, their clothes will get soiled and the
heads bumped oftener, but they will gro
up more sturdy and self-reiant than whel
they are constantly watched. AT first ii
mother will not save much time by this so
/, of training. Indeed, it is a good deal east
e TO do everything for child than TO dire
! him in his awkward efforts TO help himsel
For instance, the four-year-old boy wants
wash his own hands, brush his teeth, au
4 button his boots. You know he'll let d
i water run up his sleeves, aud spill it on Il
r floor and the wash.stand, but you let hi
| try He is SO proud to think he is helpir