The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1902-07-16
A CORDIAL INVITATION
pvb,,e Praise or ChiIdren.

Will mothers ever learn what o mis-
take Il IN to discuss their chila<ens
virtues and faults when the children
are present: A..
II Ia most distressing to watch the
effect of such an operation upon their
minds.
was calling at the house OF an ac-
ouaintance the other day, who sent the
maid upstairs to bring down her hve-
year-old daughter for me TO zee. After
shaking han6s with me the little to'
nercbed hersel { on q chair, sitting quite
stiII. absorbing every word Of the con-
varsa,ion. which had turned into dis
cnssion of the ways and pecuiiarities
Of the little lady just mentioned anu
her elder sister.
Now. that mother, am sure, meant
no haam to her children; In TACT was
amazed to observe how biissfully un-
CONSCIOUS she wns Of the possibility oi
anv bad effect that laudation in pubic
might have upon her child's mind.
and vet have heard that same mother
criticise the same fault in other heads
of families.
II would astonish thoughtless pa
rents To know the burning restlessness
that obtains possession OF youhe
mind that has been thoroughly aroused
To self Consciousness.
II would save so much trouble and
undoipg il mothers would only open
their ewes and realize that greater
mart of their conversation before chli-
dren Is too personal.
II a child is sensitive or shy. criii-
cism, especially before one VIII" does
not belong to the family, IL sure to
hurt her feelings, and II she IL not In.
clined 10 be forward, nothing IL 80 well
suited to encourage conceit.
II is grosa carelessness on the part OF
narepts. and they should stop and con
slider before speaking and not 90 blind
Jy on. supp0sing that no harm can
come If such habit.
Beside the danger Of developing
vanity, do you not see how easily the
habit OF gossiping may be acquired?
The little parrots quickly eaten the
idea. and, following the examples ol
their elders. they lake keen delight In
telling what they know OF the sayings
and doings Of others:
The "showing Off" habit IL another
trait that seems to be universally ~
vogue with parents. 1t il only natural
that thew should he proud Of their chill
dren's small accomplishments. which
children should be taught to take IA
matter Of course, but not allow them tn
believe that they are "cufe" or "smars'
ON that particular occasion.
a mother says "You do not helieve
In this. and vet in all the schools the
children a:e taught recitattons and are
encouraged to give little entertain
ments. Why il that:'
II IL because the majority of mothers
delight in those exhibitions. not reai,Z'
inp the harm they do, and probably
would send their children elsewhere IL
the school forbade such course.
/ hope there IL one school In this city
that has the courage to stand forth ana
do away with that most depiorabIe o'
ali endings to the school year, "com'
mencement exercises"
Such entertainments have great
deal 70 answer for. They force the
schools to sacrifice real progress in pref.
erence to superticialities that never fail
10 plant the seeds Of vanity. self-con-
seriousness and egotism in the mind OF
the child. ..
Surely that il false education. Is it
notP Ii il merely vanity in a parent
that demands and enjoys such spec
tncle.