San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1886-03-25
Advice to Mothers.

We think "Spare the rod and spoil the
child" sould cease to pass for an axiom.
No doubt, Solomon. surrounded by host
of erring children and probably scolding
wives, could find no better way of quelling
disturbances than resort to the rod but we
of the nineteenth century being differently
situated, should abolish this relic of barbar-
ism.
Many of us have learned by sad exper-
ience that children cannot be won over to
love and obedience by fear of physi, al pun
ishnent.
But the rod system is not more disastrous
in its effects in training children, than the
other extreme we have run into, namely,
this continual scolding We will lecture by
the hour, (Which children rarely ever listen
to-, then in sheer weariness we Will comply
with their most unreasonable demands
There can be no real love without respect
and if we expect to- gain tho hearts OF our
children, we must act in such way as to
command their respect, and this cannot be
done by threats of punishment for misdeeds
thai are never carried into effect, unless we
are very angry; nor by letting them have
their way in all things.
Children aIe apt scholars and learn from
the cradle whether they can tease us into
complying with their wishes or not.
Our first lesson must be seif-control, then
| by firmness, patience and love we must con-
troll our offspring.
We know how hard it is for tired sick
mothers to be firm and patient at all times;
but by so doing we will save ourselves
much sorrow.
If we would devote rs much time to the
spiritual and mental culture of our children
as we do to the adornments of their bodies,
we would see material change for the bet
ter.
There seems to be kind of rivalry
between American mothers as to which can
have their children the most be-ribboned,
be-laced and be-ruffied, and in order to ac-
complish this we neglect the children. They
run on the streets or anywhere else they
please, so as to be out of the way, and then
we wonder where they learned such dread
full language and rude manners, and besides
this, it tends to foster their vanity, and
cause them to place an undue estimate upon
dress.
Vast numbers of mothers are shaving them
selves to death, in order to shield their
children from manual labor, with the mis-
taken idea that they are doing their duty.
They are not only unjust to themselves, for
unjust to their children.
We do not look enough to the future.
We should recollect we are training future
husbands and wives, mothers and fathers,
that the children of to-day will soon be
rulers of tho world, and ON us rests the future
veal or woe of nations; for children will
bear the impress of their mothers influence
in all the years to come.
How much shame aud sorrow we could
spare our children and those connected with
them by giving them practical lessons IN
EVERYDAY life. Precepts are useless unless
preceled by example. We need not expect
our children TO show courtesy unless VIC use
il in our intercourse with them. We will
thank and praise neighbor's children for
the most trivial service, but do not think OF
showing such respect tO our own.
IL We expect our children to lead pure
lives, VIC must live them. Too many fol
low the example of the old preacher who
said: 'Do not do Is do, but do as tell
you to do"
We grow old too soon, consequently do
not feel enough sympathy for children. We
should enter into their pleasures; comfort
them IN sorrow, show That we appreciate
their efforts towards living noble lives. Not
censure them too severely for their failures,
but encourage them 70 try again.
BY pursuing this course you will gain
their confidence and b. able % advise with
them and IN after years when they ill hon
orable positions IN the world, we viii feel
d1ubly repaid f0r al our care. and they VIII
love aad remember us next % God.
But II on the other haul =e fail in the
Performance q uatrrual dgtics, Uur child
rsa uiI fLov 3D.. and Thou art weighed IN
the balance ard found vantiug. viii be The
verdict rendered o. rs not only b. orr cllii-
drsn. b1t i uiH D. Gods verdict Iie jrds-
e. us ec-0rdirg % our deeds T.