The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1886-09-11
C.aLUhEN'S MANNERS.
A System of Training Which Must he
Founded on Respect and Obedience.

A System of Training Which Must Be
Founded on Respect and Obedience.
One of the most important duties Of
parents is careful attention to the man
ners of their children, because not only
their future well-being, but also the
happiness and comfort of the family,
largely depends upon the behavior of
its younger members, 1t is then inn
possible to begin too early to instruct
children in the observance of the amen
tiles of life, and to act with the proper
regard for the rights and feelings of
others; and those thus bred in the re-
fined influence of a well-ordered home
possess an advantage which will be
of incalcuiable benefit to them through
life. Some onehas wisely said: 1.-The
teachings of childhood are the corner
stones on which to build the founda-
lions of character. If these are laid in
wisdom and faithfulness, we may look
to see the superstructure rounded and
beautiied by the lesson of life's exper-
ience."
The training of children in good
1lanners must be founded on respect
and obedience. But authority should
be enforced by parents without destroy
ing the self-respect of the child. Every
boy and girl has an innate sense of
what is just, and can not listen TO I'M
kind words without being first
wounded and then hardened. Nothing
has so much power with children as
love. Be kind and gentle with them;
let them know how dear they are, and
IL will be an easy task to control them.
They should always be governed
mildly, yet firmly, thus retaining their
respect and love; and even very young
children will learn to dread their par
entS displcasure through the fear of
losing their affection.
To speak the truth, to respect age,
to protect the weak, to be unselfsh and
forbearing with others, to be ashamed
OF nothing except wrong-dOing, are the
first lessons children should be taught,
and it will then be easy to train them
in good manners. 1t is not enough to
teach simply, there must be the exam
pie of the daily life to enforce the les
sons, and surely no motive can make
so forcible an appeal to the parents
heart in favor of self discipline as the
desire for the welfare of their children.
There is no soul so full of the graces of
youth as the mother spirit that has
gone through long and useful life
wrapped in the love of her children.
Ii is best. in rearing large family
of children, to give them SIS much lib
erty as is consistent with good manage
ment, and to make as few rules of
obedience as possible, and then to en-
force those given to the very letter.
Reproofs should never be administered
In the presence of others, particularly
TO proud, sensitive children, as they do
more harm than good by causing UNI
necessary humiliation. The child who
lis thus respected by its mother or
father is very apt to preserve its self
respect through lite, and avoid doing
aught that would incur censure.
In training children ing good manners,
mothers often mistake an overflow of
spirits-a natural playfulness of healthy
childhood rudeness, and in sub
DUNG and correcting these seeming
faults, rob the little ones of wholesome
exercise and a large share of the sun
shine of their lives. There is tine for
playing, and even noisy outdoor
sports. that develop the young muscles
and strengthen the fast growing bodies,
and children should not be deprived of
this privilege of their childhood. The
essential things to be taught them in
play is to respect each others rights,
TO protect the weak, and to be fair
even in their sports. Moral courage
should be cultivated in children by
teaching them always to say boldly and
do bravely what they believe is true
and right, regardless of consequences.
There is something knightly in the
heart of every boy-something helpful
and womanly in the heart of every
girl" and these qualities should be de-
Veloped. The sympathies of children
arc quickly aroused, and can be rightly
directed to their great benefit-MrS.
Eliza Il. Parker, IN Good Housekeeping.