Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-11-05


There are two periods in the moral and intel
lectual development of a girl which cause the
profoundest anxiety to mother. At five years
old, or thereabouts, the period of babyhood is
past, while the period of girlhood is not yet
reached, and, between the two, comes a time of
anarchy and chaos. The little soul is now
bursting its shackles, and trying to readjust
itself to new condition. The child is ceasing
to be mere pet and plaything, and is beginning
to live an individual life. Nothing is more
common than to see docile, well-trained child
suddenly develop. without any apparent reason,
willfulness and characterization entirely at va
rance with its previous habits. The mother,
who has been dreaming of sweet daughter
who is to walk beside her all her DAYS, making
life fragant and beautiful to her by sharing with
her all her youthful hopes, and Joys and trusts
turns heart-sick at the naughtiness of the half
fedged termagant. For it is the good, cheru-
bic little girl who usually manifests the change;
spoiled child is so thoroughly disagreeable ali
the while that any accession Of badness is not
and unhappy fOrebOding would be spared the
mother If she would only recognize that much
Of what is so very unlOvely is not essentially
wrong-that it is merely what is good in state
OF unripeness. The fragrant blossom has with
cred and fallen away, leaving in it's place the
be very careful to distinguish between those
qualities which promise evil in their developed
form and those which are mere crudities, and
her aim will be to foster all the unfolded posi-
bilities in her childish nature, and help to bring
them to a beautiful maturity.
Every one knows how tiresome and unat-
tractive little girl usually is when she has out
grown her infantie sweetness. The little i'm
pertinences, the saucy retOrts and unf1attering
personalities which have won for her smiles and
caresses. or, at worst, an admiring reprOOf, all
at once become intOlerable and are rebuked
with acerbity. The very ways which she has
been taught to consider charming become sub
jects for displeasure when the baby roundness
and dimples are gone. Her sense of justice is
outraged, and the unwarped sense of Justice in
child is often very strong. She becomes little
lshmael, her hand against every mans, and
every mans hand against her. In certain
sense this can scarcely be avoided, but, if the
mothers love be unfailing, and her sympathy
always ready, she can keep sweet the fountain
OF love and trust which. without that refuge
might become very bitter. Just when this new
life Is unfOlded, mothers wise care is most
earnestly needed. The soul which has seemed
to draw its life from hers is beginning to lead
an individual existence. 1t is to the perfect de-
velopment Of this individuality that the mother
should bend all her strength Each human soul
contains within itself the germ Gifts own life
To make of it all that may be made the mother
should only guide the growth, leaving it free
within the limits of moral probity to grow into
its fullest possibility. She cannot lop it off
here and there, or suppress its growth yonder.
without manning and stultifying the whole ma
ture.
The dangerous quicksands of this period
safely past. the mother begins to breathe freely
again. She again begins to see visions, and to
dream dreams, till the second and more serious
season ofanarchy comes to try her faith. Child
hood is over, and wOmanhO0d is yet far awav
The whole being, moral, intellectual and ply
steal, is in state of ferment. New motives
new principles, new emotions, are battling for
and, until these relative claims
are adjusted, no peace can be hoped for. This
second chaotic periOd-which comes at about
IA years OF age-lasts longer, and brings a more
hopeless and radical Overturning Of that which
had seemed so firmly established. Ifa mothers
care were needed in the earlier change, it is in
finitely more needed now. New traits seem tn
be starting into life, new DEVELOPMENTS are
manifested. Changes not only in purposes and
ideas are taking place, but changes in tempera-
ment. in disposition, in tone are manifesting
themselves. There is need of a wise hand
when Shall guide without CALLING. a tender
heart which shall sustain without compromising
with evil. To aid in the conflict and insure
victory, nothing will help mother more surely.
nor direct her more easily i'm this difficult task
than the recognition that this, also. is merely
stage of growth necessary to full and perfect
Development of her child's nature. and that to
her Is intrusted the privilege Of fostering the
growth, while she shall be looking to the end
WIN the prophetic eye Of love.