The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1886-07-17
HOME EDUCATION.
a sensible Contribution to the Discussion
Of an Important Question.

OF an Important Question.
That affection which pervades ever,
happy household and transmutes tn,
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 he,
family. She does not reflect that she
rs fostering spirit of selfishness and
iaziness in her children that will mar
Their future, and render them disagree
able to others, as well as helplessiy in
efhcient in the busy everyday life tina I
comes to all 1t is often so much
easier to do thing oneself than to
show others how to do it, or to wait ON
tneir slower movements when one is in
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.
VI this fact she may rest assured:
What she may gain in the gratitude of
her family Though this is doubtfuD.
she loses in their respect, and when
respect steps out, Indifference, and fire.
quently 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 qIietly as the
mother might wish, but, for all that,
1t is their place to do it. If they heed
lessly rush in with muddy feet, let it be
ihen work to sweep up the mud, even
IL they do 1T in a 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
to them not to do it,
One OF the requirements of a friend
OF mine was. that her little boy should
MI up the wood-box each morning be-
fore going to school. For 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 replcnish |
the fire. discovered that he had shirked |
his duty. What did she dop In her
mind it was momentous question.
should she overlook the neglect this
line, it being the first offense? Would
not be easier to 90 to the wood-house
ma get the wood herself, than to 90
through the rain to bring her son to do
{! But far more than present expedi-
'ncy or easy methods. she regarded the
Importance of impressing Benny with
he idea that the work was his. and not
lers. Accordingly overshoes and water
roof were donned, and taking her way
the school-house, through the driving
torn, she had Master Benny excused
or half an hour to perform the for
often task, thus settling the matter
eyond pcradyenture for all time to
ONE. Had she filled the box herself
hat morning. she doubtless would
ave continued to do so half the winter.
been Obliged to each time regularly
emind the boy of the job--a task far
lore wearing on busy mother than
ny child dreams of.
1t is a mistaken idea that five or six
ours of school daily should furnish a
oy or girl exemption from performing
ght duties about the house. Allow
~ sufficient time for recreation and .
ports, that child is happiest who is
occupied in dol 10 something ,
seful. 1t dignities and fills him with
respectful self-consciousness and a
'nfidence in his own powers that leads
I'm to successful ventures on his own G
count as he grows older. S
Praise is a most potent factor in de- ;
'loping the latent powers of little 6
he, and lends an impetus to its desires +
help; especially is this so if we re- 4
lat to it any little complimentary i
'tlce or remark made by outside ac- t
lalntances on its good conduct. Very a
W children realize that their actions P
e noticed by older people, and while n
is unwlse to lead them to think they s
e objects OF constant notice, it is often
oductive of much good to let them d
low their behavior in public places, q
cir politeness at home, etc., are oc-
sionally commented upon by ladies a
d gentlemen. A boorish boy or girl q
10 enters the parlor at home without L
DOW or salutation to the visitor who II
" be present certainly can not hope b
be remembered as pleasantly by the p
est as the one who has a smile and a b
49,. VI u SlIIiDl0
,cgnition of some sort. m
A mother is always mortified in COM al
ny to be forced to ask: Johnny, If
1T you say how dye do to Mrs. tn
nes?' or 'Katie, did you speak to tn
s. Smith," when her child comes in "
looks around with rude stare. or tn
ally ignores the presence of at
anger. These bad manners some W
les arise from bashfulness, but, if so, In
aren't can not too carefully and as ia
ously help the victim to overcome ID
A certain reticency is always pretty pr
half-grown boy or girl, but it can Ia
carried to so disagreeable an extent I'M
it impresses one almost as unfavor-
7 as the pert chatter of those glib ou
gued forward children who inter- tir
the conversation of their elders mi
~ minute or two with their III
Mons, and who can be silenced only sa.