The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1886-03-03
How to Bring Up the Boys"

DeH ILOUotftOVu' -Ao yOu udNc SlNou
the subject and opportunity for re-
inks and suggestions l am very glad
accept, and thank you for the privi-
&c, and do it with less timidity than
ice l would. Though not original
tn me, it has been of long interest,
d now, if you will allow me, would |
ke to add two more words to the SUBJ
ct-that is, elbow to Bring Up the
bys" (and Girls, as l think it fully |
important to understand one as the |
her.
l have always thought great deal
the suggestion that Mrs. Mary A.
fvermore has given us, in her very
teresting subject of "The Boy of
o-day," which many of you may have
bard; it is to give them employment
tide from books alone, to teach them
(dustry have for long time thought
lat the mothers of to-day were making
great mistake in thinking their boys
hd girls must have, or need, so much
ut-of-door exercise in way of play,
therefore, giving them all their time out
the school-room and hardly knowing
here they are till they find them at the
bible or in their beds.
While believe that boys and girls do
iced exercise and not too close confne-
bent, l think it can be limited some
Ehat and they receive the same physi-
al benefit by industry. Having some
Employment gives them exercise,
MUSCLE, responsibility and self-reliance;
goes far to prepare them for meeting
my future occupation in which they
hould be called; and while, in my
opinion, it does them no injury, they
AN receive by it much lasting good.
You may ask, a" What is there that
title boys and girls can do?" 1t would
be hard for any one person to say just
what, as circumstances so widely differ.
But there are many little things, begin
hing quite young, that can be assigned
for each to do. For example, the
caring for, and Systematically putting
away of, their toys; waiting upon them
selves and their clothes: seeing that the
fwood-box and coal-hod are kept full
assisting about the laying and clearing
|of the table, washing of dishes, sweep
ling and caring for their own room, etc.
1t all helps the mother a little, but them
much more.
Many times, while it is a mistaken
idea of the mother to think they require
$50 much time for exercise by play, it is
also selfish one on her part, as there
are at the present too many mothers
who grow careless about their duty
and home-training of their children-and
they themselves not wishing to give the
close, watchful eye of care and con-
finement to them, allow too much
social, literary, fashion, or fancy enjoy
ment to occupy so much of their time
that there is no time to give the proper
home-training to their children; hence
it is left to the servant and nurse, and
in many cases they might better have
none than such.
Now, it seems that there can be no
higher or grander honor conferred upon
a woman than that of a mother; and,
while God has conferred such bless
ing upon her, and she has so much to
be grateful for, the pleasure with them,
and the privilege of moulding them,
can she not gladly give back to him in
way of self-sacrifce of the above pleas
ures ESQ far as they may hinder her
duty to her family and, to her best
given ability and knowledge, train them
for usefulness both for him and them
selves? l think it great mistake, also,
that mothers labor under when they
hesitate to answer all questions as far
as they are capable, or to frankly ac-
knowledge and explain to their chill
dren why they are not capable, as, in
stead of the child growing to have les
ser regard for the mothers inability, it
Will nave greater respect Tor her
frankness than it would have for all
the knowledge she might be able to i'm
part to it, and very soon, too, be able
of itself to see and understand plainly,
by the improved methods of teaching
at the present day, why it were not pos
sible for her to be as well informed
Again, / think there are boys and girls
to whom it is natural, or becomes q
habit, to ask many very unreasonable
and unmeaning questions. In such
cases it is best that mother should try
to break them of the habit by making
them to know they are of no meaning OF
sense; but in always answering and no
allowing something else to so Absorb
their time and mind as to let the oppor
tunity pass unheeded, there is DANCE
IF both mother and child FORMING