The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1879-04-05

Hints to Parents.

In this age of crime and intrigue
few parents seem TO realize the amount
"i watchluness requisite in raising
children. Since reform is our coun-
| try Sgreatest need, parents should take
their children by the hand and lead
them safely past the paths on which
they lave slipped, and place their feet
"I lie firm foundation of truth. The
change in the conduct of children the
lat half century must be apparent TO a
casual observer. Not because they are
naturaly worse, but owing to careless
ness, bad example and lack of wisdom
in parents. Children now are too of
ten victims of over Indulgence and
misplaced confidence.
The conduct of some parents before
ihrir children is objectionable. Many
ate 50 absorbed in the aquirements oi
wealth aud position, or in following
lir prevailing fashions, that their most
r~,rntial duties are left undone. Too
ninnN spend their lives in dissipation {;
neolecling all that makes life worth the
nvin2. Parents make grave mistake,
" u at the age of ten or twelve wears
( ',li,w their children to mingle in socie-
/, with much good advice and many
iiul,ctions with regard to their con-
duct. without ever pausing to ascertain
il their injunctiOns are obeyed. An
other mistake is made in allowing
children their whole time when out OF
achoorlo spend in recreation. They
should have an occasional holiday with
select companions; the remainder of
their lime should be spent in useful
employment if possible; il not, far bet
ter lAry should be employed cutting
paper than mingle with wicked associ-
ate, bicathng an atmosphere tainted
with vice and dissipation. Children
should not be overworked while
Young bul there is nothing so wei
cnlcnlaicd 10 make them selfish, pee
wish and impatient as idleness and ovel
indnls ence. Also much of the Grim,
that So darkens our land is caused by
rearing children in idleness. Ii pro
vides inmates for reform schools an(
: prisons; also employment for the exc.
cuioner. Not that child's life should
be one continual round Of toll no
that the sky of childhood should b,
ever beclouded with trials and disap
pointments; but enough TO make then
unselfish, noble and self reliant. Fol-
If children are allowed TO look only oi
the bright side of existence whel
young, what will become of then
when the parental arm fails TO afior,
succor and support, and "advers
winds blow over them" The popula
iallacy that children can be governe
by moral suasion, the bad as we'll q
the good, is fast gaining ground amon
us. They should not be punished fo
"a AZ
I unreasonable parents will do; br
=. when they persistently refuse to ODE,
N wholesome rules some metho
III should be used to bring them
a, a, terms. For home is not home, neithe
Ne is school school, unless parents al
III teachers are master of the situation
Al Our laws provide that children sha
obey their parents during their mino
: ty; then it is folly to allow them to 4
T as they please, whether right or wron
as soon as or before they reach the
teens. But some argue, children kcI
thus closely will leave home. 1t seen
K necessary some should leave hon
awhile in order better to appreciate Il
i blessings and comforts of home; bl
ottentimes they tire of feeding
husks, and like the prodigal, speed
. return.
D Parents should do all that is reaso
,r able for the happiness of their ch
% dren; but should look for their fuiu
ire as we'll as their present good. 1t
all well our daughters should receive
ng musical education, when they can do
nd without enslaying their parents; b
&c, they should not be allowed to dire
Ia and parade the streets incessantly, no
ever wealthy their parents may be.
sat 1t is sad to watch the movements
.ss school boys; to realize that somany q
forming habits TO darken all tn,
"a future lives and the lives of their
III rents. Bnt sadder yet the thought ii
ON. parents know so little of the conduct
- their children while ont of their sig
Why are they so ignorant2 Becal
they place implicit confidence in tn
AMI children, and think them above co
mitting a wrong act. Consequent
ak they take no pains TO inform the
ias sa selves. When we consider how mu
has been done for schools in time pa
or It Is surprising how little progr
"'" some pupils have made. Anyone '
but iting the several school districts in @
.m ,ses state would doubtless find many at
ma age of sixteen or eighteen years W
'"' could not read intelligibly, nor WI
bor' their name legibly; and II required
rsr write the word come would spell
and cum. The reason Is obvious.
cts children have spent their tirRe in pl
instead of study. The mischief they HI
~ done In school cannot be esiimat
They have not only wasted their o
time, but have led others on until Il
are nearly as bad as themselves.
,hse many instances few of these lead
4 4 is is have been the means of demoraliz