The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1878-08-28
Individuality OF chIldren.

"What more can Igive my children than
l am giving them?' asked an anxious
young mother OF a matron who had sue
ccssfully reared large family. al think,
my dear they would Ne benefited by lit
tie wholesome neglect" was the reply. 1t
was the result of keen observation and n
recognition Of the fact that the children
in question were kept in continual state
of worry by being watched. The mothers
eve and care was so omnipresent that their
spontaneity was checked, and as one re-
marked, life for them was one eternal
"don't.p
Said another in recalling "reminiscences
OF childhood "Whcn was child / was
rendered miserable by being constantly
watched and trained. was very fond OF
being alone at times. could give no rca-
son Tor it, but loved TO stay in unoccu-
pied rooms, or find hiding place among
the bushes In the garden, there to amuse
;avself with my own plays and fancies.
NV mother was suspicious that this meant
evil OF some kind, and constant surveil-
lance and reprimand for going Oft by my:
self is one OF the unpleasant memories OF
my childhood"
Nothing should be more carefully rcspec.
ted and guarded than the Individuality OF
a child. The atmosphere Of home should
be That OF love and saiety,in which all the
natural inclinationso Of children should be
allowed to act spontaneously. Their wish:
cs for employments and possessions oil
their own should be respected, their tastes
In matters Of food and dress consulted in
20 fur Us is consistent with the convenience
OF those around. We have heard grown
up people tell OF the distaste they had
when children TO certain kinds OF food
which they were compelled to eat, Greer
thin kinds Of clothes whichthey werccom-
PEELED to wear. It used to DO rule in
many families brought up In the Puritan
style that child must eat all the Grusts Of
his bread, or all the fat on his meat, or all
the food on his plate. Such rules are bar
barous, and we trust nearly obsolete, yet
children's taste in food ought to more con.
sidercd than Il il. Food that is distasteful
should never 10 forced upon them, and
TO procure for them food which they enjoy
will In most cases be to procure such food
as their systems require. so Of taste in
dress. Children will sometimes have an
antipathy to particular colors, or particu-
lar garments, and preference for Others.
| II possible those tastes should always be
respected, guarding, OF course, against en-
couraging or fostering vanIty.
So OF the occupations and employments
of children rs far as possible they should
| bo lei. 10 follow their own inclinatlons
whom they arp harmless, u your little
Girl would rather play with hummer and
tacks than with dolls, why lot her have
them, and see that she has board, or y
box, or q place where she can drive them
without reprooi. II your little boy always
wants to hitch the chairs up TOR horses, and
can enjoy himself happily az IN Imaginary
stage driver, why, set apart certain chairs
for him and let him drive unmolcstod and
unmatched. II he begs for tools, let him
have them; II he wants pencils or paints,
procure them for him. The only way by
which parents can secure tho confidence
Of their children Is first 10 show conf
lcnce in them. Confidence must BIO won
Il can mover DO forced, not even from the
little ones who play around our knees.
4 happy childhood Is tho greatest herit.
age parents Gnu give to their children. IT.
memory will brighton and cheer the whole
\ OF life. To DO happy itrmnst to n certain
4 extent be unrcstrained. The home play.
ground should have no dangerous place,
from which children must be forbidden
and guarded. And In the shelter Of the
home and the playground, let the younI
spirits develop freely, spontaneously, hap
PLY. Let them have their little secrets