Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1886-04-29
HOME EDUCATION.
A Sensible Contribution to tho Discussion
Of an Important Question.

A Sensible Contribution to tho Discussion
Of IN Important Question.
That affection which pervades every
happy household and transmutes the
most mental services for the comfort OF
those we love into acts of pleasure.
often misleads mother to take bur.
dens upon herself that belong to her
| family. She does not reflect that she
is fostering spirit of selfishness and
laziness in her children that will mar
their future, and render them disagree
able to others, as well as helplessly in
efficient in the busy everyday life tina I
comes to all. 1t is often so much
easier to do a thing oneself than to
show others how to do it, or to wait on
their slower movements when one is in
a hurry, that it is not surprising that
the quick. active mother does treble
duty, and allows herself to degenerate
into mere machine for running the
home.
OF this fact she may rest assured:
What she may gain in the gratitude of
her family Though this is doubtfuD b,
she loses in their respect. and when
respect steps out, Indifference, and fire.
qucntly contempt, is sure to step in.
Let Johnnie put away his own boots
and hat; call Katie from play to hang
up her tippet and sacque. They may
not do it as neatly and quietly as the
mother might wish, but, for all that,
it is their place to do it. If they heed
lessly rush in with muddy feet, let it be
their work to sweep up the mud, even
if they do it in careless, slovenly
way. Better be imperfectly done than
that the mother should do it for them.
1t takes patience and valuable time to
train family of stirring boys and girls
to wait on themselves, but it is positive
unkindness to them not to do it.
One of the requirements of friend
of mine was, that her little boy should
fill up the wood-box each morning be-
fore going to school. For a few days
the task was promptly performed. but
one rainy morning Benny slipped off,
leaving the box empty. His mother
having occasion soon after to replenish
the fire, discovered that he had shirked
his duty. What did she do? In her
mind it was a mOmentOus question.
Should she overlook the neglect this
time, it being the first offcnse? Would
it not be easier to 60 to the wood-house
and get the wood herself. than to go
through the rain to bring her son to do
it? But fer more than present eNpedi-
ency or easy methods. she regarded the
Importance of impressing Benny with
the idea that the work was his. and not
hers. Accordingly overshoes and water
proof were dOnned, and taking her way
to the school-house. through the driving
storm. she had Master Benny excused
for half an hour to perform the for
gotten task, thus settling the matter
beyond a pcradventure for all time to
come. Had she filled the box herself
that morning. she doubtless would
have continued to do SO half the winter,
or been obliged to each time regularly
remind the boy of the job-a task far
more wearing on a busy mother than
any child dreams of.
1t is 4 mistaken idea that five or six
hours of school daily should furnish a
boy or girl exemption from performing
light duties about the house. Allow
ing sufficient time for recreation and
sports, that child is happiest who is
frequently occupied in doing something
useful. 1t dignities and fills him with
a respectful self-conSciousness and a
confidence in his own powers that leads
him to successful ventures on his own
account as he grows older.
iS n moot pntapf fopfp,. in do.
veloping the latent powers of little
one, and lends IN impetus to its desires
to help; especially is this so if we re-
peat to it any little complimentary
notice or remark made by outside ac-
quaintances on its good conduct. Very
few children realize that their actions
are noticed by older people, and while
it is unwise to lead them to think they
are objects of constant notice, it is often
productive of much good to let tsem
know their behavior in public places,
their politeness at home. ETC., are Oc-
casiOnally commented upon by ladies
and gentlemen. A boorish boy or girl
who enters the parlor at home without
a bow or salutatiOn to the visitor who
may be present certainly can not hope
to be remembered as pleasantly by the
guest as the one who has smile and Il
good morning ready. or simple
recognition of some sort
A mother is always mortified in COM
pany to be forced to ask: johnny,
can't You say how dye do to Mrs.
Jones?" or katie. did YOU speak to
Mrs. Smith," when her child comes in
and looks around with rude stare. or
totally ignores the presence of Il
stranger. These bad manners some
times arise from bashfulncss. but. if so,
a parent can not too carefully and as
sidiously help the victim to overcome
it. \ certain reticency is always pretty
in half-grown boy or girl. but it can
be carried to so disagrecablc IN extent
that it impresses one almost rs mfavor-
ably rs the pert chatter of those glib
forward children who inter-
rupt the conversation of their elders
every minute or two with their
opinions. and who can be silenced only
by succession of positive and severe
There are some exceptions. but it
ha fa1x-