The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1890-09-03


"When shall I begin to discipline
my child ?" is question which every
mother ought to ask. If say it is
hardly possible to begin too early,
many will be surprised, if not incredu-
lous.
~ never punished child before it
was two years DID," said dear old Ia
dy to me when my first baby lay in
my arms.
II don't intend to punish at ALL" I
replied; for, like most inexperienced
persons, I had fine theories in regard
10 bringing up children.
"I hope you wont need to; but In
Adams fall, we sinned ALL you
know" she said, with a hearty laugh
thinking, 10 doubt, that few years
would teach me many things.
While my baby was 'in arms" my
theories were delightful; but, with
creeping, trouble began. The things
that he ought not to touch were the
only attractive ones, and most fasci-
mating of all was the bookcase. Moth
ing delighted him more than to tug
away till the books tumbled out upon
the floor. Persuasion and argument
were of no avail. "No, no" and "Ba-
by naughty" were greeted with bright
smiles of utter indifference. I began
to fear that the child knew he was not
doing right, aud that this knowledge
added an element Of mischievous
pleasure. But what was to be done?
+ taxed my ingenuity, but could not
keep my child away from the books.
Must / give up to baby of q few
months? 7 asked myself. ashamed
that my theories had failed in the cru
cial test.
Suddenly common sense came to the
rescue. A dozen times l had carried
the little thing away from the scene of
conflict, only to see him creep back,
with all speed, at the first opportunity.
Then deliberately I threw my theories
to the winds, and gave the dear, chub-
by little hand smart slap. Such
look of surprise and distress It near
ly broke my heart. Then change
came over the face, and, with defiant
look that said, ~ will" again he at
tackled the books. Again I slapped
the hand; then I took the sobbing ba-
by on my knee, talked with and quiet
ed him. When put him down this
time, the books were safe he would
not touch them.
The victory was won, I thought,
with sigh, for was tired out with
excitement. 1t was relief to con-
quer, but the method was trial.
Then remembered that our Heaven
ly Father teaches obedience in ways
j quite as hard to us as this had been to
| ahiIl on6 T Uao aOrn fOrfQd
| Whenever, after that, my baby crept
to the books, a decided mo" or, at
. most, Mamma punish," was suffi-
, cient to keeb him out of mischief.
The battle had to ba fought again in
regard to other things-the poker and
tongs, the album, the piano; but in
the course of six weeks, I felt safe to
take my baby anywhere. In the
midst of costly bTic-d-brdc I had no
fears, for my child had learned the
grand lesson of life-obedience. -
"How do you manage" a friend
asked me-, as we were preparing to
leave her house after two days visit.
Much as wanted to see you, I will
confess that I hesitated when /
thought of the child. My Cousins lit
tie boy was here aweek, and I couldn't
tell how many things he ruined"
HAS your cousin ever punished her
child?" ] asked. -
"Oh, no! Why, he isn't three years
old yet" I smiled and did not Won
der at her troubles.
There may be some mothers who
can spare the rod without spelling the
child; there may be some children
more easily Influenced than mine; but
for the majority, I do believe some
punishment is necessary, and the ear
iier mother begins the less of 1t she
, will have to do. "Wait until the
child can understand" but who can
:ell how early child can understand
the difference between right and
wrong? Experience has taught me
that if baby learns to mind before he
Flearns to walk, by the time he is two
years old he will have settled into q
habit.