The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1888-09-04
SENSITIVE CHILDREN.
BY MRS. 8. c. HAZLETT,
open the door for the children,
Tenderly gather them In.

There Is not true mother in the world
who would willingly wound her little
ones, but life is SO full Of stern realities,
and many mothers have 80 much care
upon their weak shoulders-some the en-
tire support of the family-that they are
apt to overlook things, which, under more
pleasant circumstances, would be very
apparent and receive the needful atten-
tlon, and yet 1t is not always the poor or
overtasked mother who sometimes neg
lects the sensitive child, for the so-called
duties OF society claim entirely too much
time of the wealthy, and ofttimes indo
lent mothers,to the detriment of their fam
lilies, especially the little sensitive child.
Children have the same feelings as their
elders, only they are more tender.
Contact with the world but hardens,
and IN many instances embitters one, but
the sensitive, trusting child, who believes
everything that is told him, because he
himself Is true, and takes everything for
| granted, Is one of the keenest sufferers
imaginable, and because of his capablitv
OF suffering, he is naturally more appre-
ciatlve, and enjoys likewise
There is great difference in childre n,
eA''N S'C 10 AOoo oCLSLtiFC ludu dUOtUcT.
A diffident child, one who is apt to
shrink from strangers, to be the last to
offer or accept favor, to love solitude,
one who is quiet and distant, is generally
the most sensitive of children. Such a
child should be encouraged, praised,
brought out, and not put aside, for one
apparently brighter or more intelligent
Ii any preference is ever given to child,
it Should be to the backward one
A thoughtful child often appears
suky.
a close study of children will prove
the contrary.
once, Who was universally termed stupid
and dull, who upon giving her my con-
tidence, and winning her love, gradually
drew out, until | felt an awe steal over
me at her utterances of thought and rare
expression of language, showing that
what others deemed dulness and stupid
ity was depth and concentration she
was awake and cultivating while they
were sleeping heavily.
The lndurating process is a terrible
one, and pltiful indeed is the child who
has ceased to care whether he is loved or
not, and who accepts the husks that are
thrown him, with a pathetic Indifference,
as a matter of course.
1t will come to this after a time
though there will still be supreme hours
with him, when he would gladly remem-
Der the touch of loving hand, that some
how in life's worry had passed him by;
and to hear through the Ginning of mem
ory's bells the echoes of sweet voice
full of a tenderness, understood only by
him.
God pity the lonely child, starving
amidst plenty; who is longing and wait
ing for loving look, word of praise or
encouragement, and is continually denied
it from sheer thoughtlessness.
In the hurry and worry of life parents
and children drift so far apart that the
chasm yawns unto the bitter end
In many instances there is misunder-
standing upon both sides; the parent is
equally sensitive, and as utter stangers
would, one waits for the other. "You
did not kiss me good night" said a little
girl with grieved eyes, and a sad droop
of the under lip, when her mamma, no
ticing IL, asked her What is the mat
ter"
"Why, dear, was waiting for you,"
said the loving mother, who was feeling
the supposed neglect as well, and quickly
clasped her child to her bosom. A little
thing, but an illustration of greater
things There should be no waiting.
Life is too short. We are all too thought
less and careless of one another's feel
ings.
Get acquainted with your children.
Draw near to them and they to you. The
pattering of tiny feet will not echo long
in the halls of the old home, and the
thorns are thickly strewn along life's
pathway for them, as they were for us,
who are older-grown, and let the memo
ries of home be those not dimmed with
tears Womdn's Work