New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-02-13
SHOWING OFF THE BABY.
MRS. THEODORE W. BIRNEY GIVES HER
VIEWS ON THE SUBJECT.
SHE POINTS OUT WHAT sHD TERMS DEMoRAILz-
mo FACTORS IN THE C1IILDs EDUcA-
TToN-ADvICE TO MOTHERS.

FACTORS ~ THE C1ll1sDS EDUCA-
T1oN-ADvICD TO MOTHERS.
IN an interesting interview with Mrs. T. W
R,rney. president OF the National Congress Of
Mothers. during her last visit to New-York, she
had this 10 say about the best way Of bringing UP
child:
There I. natural tendency the part Of
uarents 70 exhibit their offspring, and every one
Is moro or less familiar with the process OF show
Ing of the baby That such proceeding Is IN
furious in It's effect upon the character of child
no thinking person deny. The child or TWO
years or thereabouts, who is regularly called upon
70 lisp his newly learned phrases for each guest.
and TO attempt the singing OF some popular comic
song has an injustice perpetrated upon II which
should not be tolerated in this enlightened age.
Anything which tends TO make child self-con-
scous Is a demorazing factor IN It's education
The greatest charm Of childhood Is IT'S unconscious
ness IFS spontareity; these attributes, destroyed
through the selfish egotism OF parents, with what
result? Children who pert, parrotty little prigs,
rnanifesting at the tenderest age desire for ad-
rniraton and attention which is simply appalling.
when one considers to what It may lead. There IS
no picture in the world beautiful than healthy
happy children at play, and why not leave them
their dollies. their sand plies or their blocks when
callers come? A glimpse OF them thus will he en-
.oyable refreshing. and. believe me- the guest will
carry away a far peasanter memory than II bored
by forced display OF baby's wonderful cute
ness
"One need only watch for hour a few
babies at play To discover that some OF them are
already as vain. as fond Of show and as intolerant
OF the rights Of their companions as the men and
women one not infreQuently meets IN society"
But v,ss< Is 70 be done in such case. interrupt
ed the reporter. with swift recognition Of the
truth Of the picture
Such children are 10 be pitied" said Mrs. Biz
ney and their parents condemned. Ignorance OF
the proper methods to pursue in training a child
can no longer serve as excuse 70 the average
parent since tho world is waking 10 recognition
tha. OF all the wonderful things which claim It's
attention at present thu latent power for good or
evil In the little chilc IS tire most wonderful Hence
all current literature teens with articles helpful
10 the mental. moral and physical we-oeing OF the
little ones.
"If mothers would give one-tenth the time that
they so cheerfuly devote TO fashion-p!ates and
magazines 10 study OF childnature. from the point
Of view, Of those whose lives are spent In this
work We would soon have another race OF beings
y, is quite true that a child cannot be taught
ranners and consideration for others too early
but It IS one thing 10 have tho fodder extend
wee hand in greeting or adieu. ana quite another
20 make Il the centre OF interest throughout
VISITORS stay.
such influence upon the character OF the child
e had from the beginning and most OF the jealousy
which children manifest toward their younger
brothers or sisters has its origin IN the indlscree'
sdulation lavished upon baby while ne was mon
arch OF all he surveyed. .
In what way does this affect the growth OF
cho-ac,erq' questioned tine reporter again. To
which Miss Brney responded
There IA no characteristic which VIII reiard true
DEVELOPMENT so much that Of seli-suihciency'
Tho how whose home life has been such as to fos-
ter the belief that what ne does is beyond cFltc'sl
is ul-adapted TO receive instruction IN any helo'
o. MS mental attitude Is cOmbatlFT, Iatei ma.
receptive and his assumption o. "'4O" - CO
prefua!ces teachers and pupils aI4ke. ,,~,. -, e.
MANY evils follow in the tram OF a spy % ~
tolerS.ce and 1t is this spirit INTO Whlc I'm te w
fl'uess 81 n little child often develops. inc w.
warIness OF a pretty baby is AZ times an I5ais'
ana there : a disposition 20 make Ist. ot my
.sb ebgilS,ops OF temper but the lesson Of sell
cor+-o cannot be taught too early anu i,O"S 81 a..
denv nat the parents who nave Deque, ~, 80
inheritance 10 their children nave even .oai,b 81
VIII Is az FAR more value than all the Wed''H u
GolcOuda. ,--.oo,,trgs sboulI see
m g. fhat he little ones who look 70 US dQl bor
snce sh9uld have such training as VIII equip 'Heii
FOR happy useful living, ..,t.e, ~ All response
non rarents rests the create "a ~ no
b,l,lrs Yet comparatively few COMP fSem FOR
roaer,,ude % the opportunity oHtfed ~, men - 49,
cor,rbNttng toward the betterment or tlo III -,
eyasso- os - anklud word OF warning n az As t
q. "a ~ tbe wise Some reading ihu'Il e
me aid more praying will solve this' d. "0S'