Osage Valley banner. (Tuscumbia, Miller County, Mo.) 1879-1881, 1880-09-09
HOW TO MAKE CHILDREN RE-
LIABLE.

Liza BILE.
THOSE parents who most keenly feel
their responsibilities are in danger of
watching their children too closely.
II is surprising how early in childs
life this surveillance becomes a source
of annoyance and irritation, through
the first instructive emotion OF self
respect, and how soon the little ones
learn to tee sly and deceive, hoping in
that way to escape this watchfuness
If possible. They conceal their child
ish sayings aud doings if they are led
10 feel that they are suspected of some
thing wrong. II they are unable 10
understand what it is they at least
realize that their parents do not trust
their honor They may not be quito
able To put their annoyances from this
cause into words; but let this idea creep
into young childs mind, and his per-
ceptions grow old fast Nothing so
soon develops the evil most feared as
this overwatchfulness.
Teach q child while yet little that
father and mother arc inclined TO com
NIT some small matter TO its care, and
without the least show OF doubt or fear
that the little one viii fall and those
parents who perhaps have forgotten in
some degree the spirit of their own
baby days win scarcely be able TO real
izo the happiness this trust has be-
slowed The importance OF the trust
will Of course, be gauged by the age
of the child Begin this teaching early.
Take care that the small pupil is not
taxed beyond its capacity, but let it
distinctly understand that the parent
is in earnest, and fully believes that the
commission viii not be neglected.
None can estimate how this event in a
Child's life will be fixed in the young
mind-the first time il feels that its
parents have turned to it with loving
confidence for the performance of some
little duties, and that they have trusted
10 is honor Nothing so clearly awak-
ems self-rcspect as the feeling OF re-
sponsibility which comes with the
knowledge that they are trusted and
the care and faithfulness which even
the youngest understands will be nee
essary to execute the work to the
parents satisfaction are good seed
sown, which in later years will bear good
fruit. and amply repay all the trouble II
may have cost to prepare the soil Tor its
reception.
That such teaching is not the easiest
of all maternal duties every mother
knows full well, and all would much
rather do the work than be subject tC
the tediousness and annoyance of drilling
child. But this is the mothers mis-
sion, not wisely delegated to another
First show child precisely how to dc
certain things. Perhaps the lesson must
be often repeated before it is done
well; but after some trials begin by
leaving those little chores for it tc
do alone when The mother is moi
near. The moro trivial the better
at first For instance, say to the
little two-year.old Mamma mus
po out few minutes, but she don
like to leave the nursery in such dis
order. VIII not my little man pick NJ
all the blocks and playthings he is no
using, and put them away just a
mamma likes TO see themp AM
Jennie also will, / know, fold her doll
clothes Just as have shown her. AM
Law them neatly in the drawer when he
play Is over. am sure this room Wi
look very nice when mamma returns.
II the training is begun early 1t 500
becomes easy for little folks to do man
things we'll How proud and happ
these miniature men and women fee
when they have this token Of their mo
theirs confidence in their ability to car
for such things as she intrusts to then
and of course it will be often necessar
to be little short-sighted, and to pas
over few items that will bear in
provement; but don't point them OF
at once. Let the mistakes or deiec'
wait. Appear pleased with the tlr
effort. Ii will be time enough when "a
next trial is made to say, II would 10
this little dress so' or, II would p'
these books here just So" But give
much sweet approval and praise as
udieious TO gladden. and encouras
them En- every effort Gentle hints m'
be interspersed with all the approx
consistent with truth, and it will not
long before the mother will find h