Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1897-11-18
INFANT TYRANNIES.

IT can never get my baby to sleep
anywhere out of my arms" said a
mother who was not rich enough to
keep a nurse, or, indeed, servant OF
any kind. She had her own work to
do for herself, her equally hard-work-
ing husband and her one lovely baby.
"And not only have to hold him in
my arms" she added, "but he must be
rocked to sleep, and don't know how
full and sleepy just when the kettle is
boiling over, or when his father is walt
ing for his dinner"
"In the latter case, why not suggest
that the father do the holding and the
rocking?" said her friend, who had
found her in the midst of a hush-a-oy
struggle, with the luncheon dishes still
unwashed and the beds unmade. I'm
fortunately the boy will not be hushed
and rocked by his papa. He seems to
have made up his mind at ten months
old that tending babies is woman's
work, and kicks and rebels at all his
fathers experiments. But why am l
telling you all this when you have a
baby boy of your own, and know all
about it?''
eyes, have a baby boy, but
haven't your experience, thanks to a
good, kind mother-in-law. She told
me that she learned, when my husband
was a baby, that he could be dear
little comfort or dear little tyrant just
according to the way 1 began with
him. Of course my temptation was as
every mothers is, I believe, to hold and
snuggle the child on all occasions. The
closer and the longer I held him the
happier I was. But while l INDUCED
myself and the baby the fire went out,
the dishes piled up in the kitchen sink,
the beds lay unmade, the floor un-
swept, and, worse than all, my DISPOSE
| ton suffered cruelty. I had married
Harry, knowing his salary would not
allow us servant but now began to
pity myself and blame him because
had none. Just then his mother came
to visit us, took hold and helped me
plan my work, showed me how to make
my head save my hands, and, best OF
all, taught me how to train the baby to
be a great deal more comfortable and
a great deal less care. There was a
little rebellion and a few fits of crying
that nearly broke my heart, but the re-
suit was that the rocking chair was
abandoned, and when nap time comes
| which it does at the same time every
day-my laddie is fed and laid in his
crib or on the middle of my big bed,
where he crows himself to sleep. He
sleeps at night, too, in his crib instead
of in my arms"
| Il shouldn't like that" said the 9TH
er mother. II should miss my child
as much as he would miss me-
"TO be sure you would, but think
how much better is the cool pillow
than your warm neck for his little
head-the freedom to move the limbs
about-fresh air for the lungs. And
the real mother love cares first for
what is best for the child. Come and
spend day or two with me, and see
how my plan works"
~ would like to come SO much"
said the tired young mother, "but
since baby came never have time to
go out"
That's all wrong. Bring the baby
and I'll invite your husband for din
ner, and I promise you that you will
make up all your lost time, If you
will learn how to use the time you
have and to regulate your boys life
while he is baby, so that the mother
Is not all killed out Of you and only
| the drudge remains"