Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1903-11-21


house.-Eugenia Benedict in Phnade!-
phia Evening Bulletin.
Mothers "Home Guard"
Indeed l am sure it is war time. for
ont on my Snow-coYered lawn lust ne
yond the big tulip bed stands fort with
brcastworkS, 4 cannon and quantities Of
ammunition. Iii the enclosure are Sev-
eral members of mothers Home guard
augmented by recruits from neighboring
regiments. they are fierce fighters toe.
and rs the missiles fly over the terrace
ana the fire Is returned by the enemy
across the way, | realize with the great
est anxiety al heart that l am soldiers
mother.
At first l said to myself. it is non
sense to watch them: 20 back to your
sewing, and be glad the scene OF battle
Is near home. so You can care for the
wounded quickly even put an end 10 the
war M any time by commanding the sol
dlerS to lay down arms and surrender to
you as their superior officer So | with
drew from the scene of action and quietly
resumed my sewing. In the evening |
welcomed e dinner my little Home
guard and they all answered roll call
with never a scratch, all arms and legs
intact, and only the kitchen clotheSine
tull OF wet mittenS, coats. trousers and
caps showed that a battle had really tax
en- place.
"Oh. mother. it was srandr and look
ing at the happy faces, rosy cheeks and
bright eyes. | did not doubt it. and was
mwardly thankful | had not interfered
with the fun.
Perhaps in the long run we watch our
children too closely, and fix that at
moSphere of danger about them. when
they are in fact blessed with quite good
judgment and the instinct of self-Dres-
ervation is developed at birth \ tiny
baby will start, and hold onto your hand
u 1t feels rs if falling from yonr lap.
The more we see, the more we find we
must forbid our children. 50 it is wisdom
not to see too much. If they say little
things perhaps not quite intended for our
ears. it is better not 10 have too acute
bearing; sometimes what we hear we
can use - advantage for the good of
their future guidance.
Children are kaenly conscious 0f our
scrutiny. and are embarrassed if they
think we are listening ana commenting
upon their remarks, or little impersona
tons of "groWn-upS" which they enjoy
immensely, il is also well to walk a
little slowly to the scene of Quarrels,
for if they settle things for themselves
it makes them more self-reliant. Be
sides. it removes that doubt of lust
which one started the disturbance, az
most always Il question difficult to de-
eide. So by being little slow appar-
emily Of hearing, seeing, and stepping.
we give little ones bit more chance
to develop on their own lines. and we
learn better guidance of them.
1t is so easy to forbid children things
without even stopping to look into the
matter from any but our own point of
view. Children have their own ideas
also, and though they are obliged to
bow to ours, it ranklcs, and if it APP
for our authority and escape ii as soon
as possible; If they rebel at first, then
see justice in our decision after talking
it over together, all is well: Mother
did know best after all. is the verdict.
Do not give dishes 10 play with, then
refuse little food and fruit for fear
of scattered crumbs, or milk and water
spilled, else all the fun of the dishes
is gone Do not have too many toys
in the nursery at once. 1t Is a good
idea to let some take a Journey" be
repaired and placed in q box on a cup
board shelf, and after an absence of
two or three weeks bring them forth
on tired day." such as we mothers
know so WELL and they will be received
like a new gift. New games spring into
existence, new possibilities are seen, and
with fresh energy play is begun anew
\ nursery must have couch for all
times and seasons. Then mothers should
always have on hand dresses to play
lady" with, with bonnet and shawl. and
coat and hat of fathers. Glorious
playthings are these, so harmless, yet
diverting.
Don't forbid boys freedom in climbing
trees simply don't watch them The
mother who goes through self-training
for generals service in the Home
Guard" deserves all the honors of Of
flee And later when she retires from
active service. and her grown children
say on occasion. Mother, do you re-
member the day we did this thing Or
that" showing how close the relation had
always been between her children and
herself. she receives a compliment worth
all the annoJanceS and trials of raising
to man ana womau's estate, her own
members of the Home Guard. Jean
nette Young in New England Homa-
stead.