Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-07-28
ChiIdren's Companions.

How ca nwe control our children'S com
panionS? This was the question recciv-
ing the serious attention of group of
earnest mothers. Various theories and
met hOdS were advanced and considered
but none had received cordial Endorsement
when attention was conferred upon the
words of one of the number whose wis
dom was born of experience; d woman
whose browning glory was that she had
been a happy, loving wife and devoted
mother for nearly fifty years. and had
taken the added degree of grandmother.
She admitted there are easily some
things in the present flood of so-caled
new ideas that she did not wholly in
dorse. but her sOundness of common
sense was refreshing and heartening.
saying: BE your children's companion
yOurSelf'''
Take that for the text, mothers Your
companonship with your children is your
first duty. your highest privilege. Guilt
vate comradeship with them, in every
possible way. Go with them. play with
them, read with them. study with them.
Keep in touch with whatever is interest
ing them, and you will keep in touch with
them.
Of course. this is not to the exclusion of
friends of their own age. but inclusive OF
those friends; know them and bring them
into your confidence as well. You cannot
always discriminate and discard but yol,
can discriminate and guard. BY your dis
ture in taste and Judgment and form a
standard by which they will safely choose
their companions panic as they grow Older;
when he at tbe ho%e to o sc the
come with all the flush of new expert
ences. overlooking with their little joys
or sorrows and many questions. They
want wan ,t their mother, they need her then
ana there. and any mother misses just
that sweet opportunity by failing 10 be
right there ready and responsive
Keep the children at home as much as
possible: that is where they belong, they
should feel that, and not go bout from
nelgnbor to neighbor Unfortunately.
making themselves at home wherever
they may happen to be. There is alto
ge,her too much of this freedom, it Is in
rights There is no more reason why a
chlld should have the liberty to go into
anu an over any house he nleaseS han
grown person should. He should be
taught to realize that a mans house is
ms ms caStie-including the pantry and eel
lar and back stairs. When your children
go from rom home, let them go with your
Mnere they go. Above all things aI"ra'
Know where your children are after dark.
W men the sun sets. the devil comes
OUT. Let the twilight hour be the SUI
preme nome hour, make it especially at
tractiVe do not be too tired or too alb
sorbed to enjoy it with them yourself
Next tc the sweetness of a child's wax
ing hour. It is the days benediction to
put tne children to bed. This
the lew privileges to which a modern IA
tner with his limitations of time seems
81 H.il, Give MIN the right of way mere
II VIII prove of great benefit to all con-
cerned Children need more of the father
IN their lives, and the fathers need
closer relation with their children
all the time. but what else is your time
good for? If You are a parent. YOUR chill
dren are your business
In recent article by Jeanette w. Hall