The Russellville Democrat., 1881-06-23
Parental Co-operation.
Editors RusseIIville Democrat.

mer schools throughout the county Is at hand, few hints in regard to parental co operation may not be in appropriate or untimely.
 It must be clear to the mind Of all persons, that in order that our public schools may prove there should be Q mutual effort of all connected with them. directors and parents should unite and move together for one common purpose-the promotion of order and progress in the schools. It is a very difficult task for teachers to maintain good order and whole some discipline, and secure the requi- site progress in the schools without the hearty cooperation of the par ents; and without thorough disci- plne in school, but little real pro gross can be effected. Indeed the cause of most of the difficulties which embarrass the teacher in his toilsome vocation, is, no doubt, want of parental co operation.
 The antagonism manifested by parents usually arises either from a misunderstanding or some misrepre- sentation of the teachers deport- ment. Children are too often en- couraged to bring home complaints against their teacher, to which par ents are prone to lend willing ear, ana without further investigation permit themselves to become exas. perated, and indulge Tn sevcre ard disrespectful criticism in regard to the teacher, which tends to excite in the minds of their children such feelings of animosity toward him, that it is almost an impossibility to govern such pupils or induce them to study when in school. Scholars thus encouraged in disc bedience by their parents, and feel ing assured of their support, become refractory and will not submit to the necessary discipline of the school; :; and it is only by rigorous chastise, ment that pupils thus encouraged can be brought to submission. All parents who entertain proper re gard for the welfare of their chil- dren, and for their advancement in useful knowledge and sound morals, should carefully avoid saying or doing anything that would tend to lower the teacher in their estimation. They should rather teach them to obey, respect and love him.
 Whenever parents become satis fled in their own minds that they have just cause to complain, either as regards the progress of their chil- dren or the department of the teach CT toward them, they should, with out delay, seek private interview with him, and, if his explanations do not prove satisfactory, then they should present their complaints to the board of school directors, tn at the matter may be thoroughly and impartially investigated. Parents who have proper regard for the welfare of their children should never encourage them to watch and report the teachers department in school
 In fact, there is frequently too much laxity in discipline at home. Some parents have no control over their children, and such interfere most with the discipline of the schools. There are too many like Eli of old, who mean to do exactly right, but err in judgment as to the prope. means to secure obedience. They love their children with great tenderness, but it IS selfish love not the kind of love that will immo- late mere personal feelings for the good of the child. They refrain, in many cases, from making use of the means essential to secure the obedi- ence of their children, because it is disagreeable duty, and wounds their feelings. But the parent who truly and wisely loves his child-as God loves His children will readily sacrifice mere personal feelings for the benefit of his offspring, and, when necessary, will not hesitate to inflict proper chastisement. It is urged by many that moral suasion alone is amply sufficient for securing the obedience of children. But ac- cording to the sacred record, Eli tired it and failed. He set before his sons the highest motives that ever influenced the human heart; yet they continued in their depraved course, and God commissioned Sam ael to pronounce the judgments of high heaven against the house of Eli, because his sons made them selves vile and their father failed to restrain them from their wickedness. Many families are in this day ruined by the over-indulgence of their too sensitive parents.
 It is clear that parental discipline is essential to proper school govern ment, and that the latter is essen tially necessary to the complete sue cess Of our common schools; without which, they will fail to subservc the purpose for which they were estab- lished-the satety and perpetuity of our liberties. He only is properly qualified to discharge the responsi- ble duties of citizen of great republic like ours, who has been