Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1889-04-05
HOW TO TRAIN oOYS.
A Branch OF Domestic Government Neg
lected by Many Mothers.


A branch OF Domestic Government Neg
lected by Many Mothers.
Is 1t not strange that in many fami-
lies mothers make so great a difference
in their treatment of sons and daugh-
ters2
While the daughters arc carefully
watched. given n share in the work OF
the household and trained to habits of
neatness and order, the boys are left
pretty much to themselves, Outside Of
school-hours, many mothers do not
know, and seem not TO caro-, whore
their boys are or what they are doing;
and. with the exception OF occasional
errands, the boys have no share in the
work or responsibilities OF the house,
hold.
or all the different families | have
known, In only one have the boys made
their own beds, kept the closets and
bureau-drawers In order or sowed on
their shoo-buttons. Indeed, in many
families these things were done by
mothers and sisters who apparently
never thought 1t impossible for tho
boys to assist,
But why should not boys take caro-
of their own rooms, and know how to
use q needle in case of an emergency?
WIN Il make them any loss mauly9 On
the contrary, 1t viii simply make them
the more Independent
Surely every boy ought to be taught
that before he leaves his room after n
nights sleep, the bed-clothes must be
taken from the bed and so arranged as
mot to touch tho floor, the mattress ex-
iposed to the air, and the windows and
blinds opened wide, except in stormy
or very severe weather
Yet lady, famous for heg hospital
fly, told me that not half dozen of all
her masculine guests had properly
Opened tho bed for airing when they
left the room in the morning.
Some may think such tribes beneath
the dignity of mon, or that they should
be left TO the servants.
But II boy be trained to habits of
attention to these little things, he will
do them unconsciously, When he mar
rios, his wife will be grateful TO the
wise mother whose thoughtful care
saves her many an extra foot-step In
case Of illness, such man will not be
the helpless. clumsy creature that so
often rasps his poor wife's overweight
nerves, but a helpful, slilltul nurse
In ordinary households there are
many things which the boys ought TO
do to lessen their mothers cares. A
majority OF the errands including the
marketing, may be safely trusted to
them. Il will not hurt them to know
how much their daily food costs, nor
that they must keep their eyes open TO
avoid being cheated. 1t is well to al
low them TO purchase their own
clothes, with more or less supervision,
as may seem best They. will thus
learn how TO select wisely and make
the most OF their money.
Boys are happy in proportion as
they are busy; hence mothers ought
TO see that they are wisely employed
and never allow them 10 loaf about the |
streets, nor in stores, especially after
dark.
1t would seem hardly necessary to |
urge mothers 10 read with their boys, |
play games. and talk about the things |
In which they are interested, did not |
one constantly see those who never do |
IT,
Then, too, the boys ought TO have |
just as pretty and attractive rooms as
their sisters do, for they need a COM
Portable room whore they may go for a
little quiet or to plan a birthday sur
prise or Christmas present.
Boys brought up in lovine home,
where they have plenty but not too
much 10 DO, and who feel that they
are important members OF the family,
will seldom have bad habits, and still
more rarely 20 astray,
SO, mothers, be sure you know.
every day ana every evening, just
what your boys are doiug.-Ladies'
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