New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-05-26
a CHILD's ALLOWANCE

CHILD'S ALLOWANCE
I note with some surprise the absence Of re-
Spouse 10 the questions recently propounded by
the Housewives Exchange regarding the regu-
latior Of a girls allowance and considering the
deluge Of letters which the subject Of corporal
punishment ELECTED. I moved TO certain re-
Elections concerning the curious idea which most
people entertain with regard to the training Of
children. Judging from these letters. well as
from other observations, snoud say that methods
Of punishment are looked upon, by the average
parent the great problem OF child training
whereas they have little to do with It. and II
parents were sufficiently endowed with sense could
probably be eliminated altogether. The question
Of the allowance is vastly more important and yet
no one has anything TO say about it.
In the training OF children the parent should
anticipate in the little artificial environment OF the
home the lessons Of life; and the management OF
money constitutes a large part OF human conduct.
the management OF allowance may be made u
serve a very important purpose in a childs educa-
ton. BY means OF tie allowance he or she may
learn not only the value Of money. but great
many other things. and IT seems great pity that
there could have been 4 general discussion OF
the subject in the exchange
As 10 the size Of the allowance II would be impos-
sibe to lay down rule. II would depend on the
income Of the parents. Regarding the age which
II should be given, should just soon as the
child IS old enough understand what money IS,
beginning with few cents and increasing the
amount the child gets older.
This money the child should absolutely control
unless he wishes buy arsenic for internal use
something Of that nature. and the parent should
not interfere prevent his experiencing the natural
consequences Of good and bad management Parents
should not rectfy mistakes unless Il should be alb
soiutely necessary. II Tommy Is hesitating between
4 microscope and a bicycle. and finally decides 20
take the bicycle the parents should not Immediately
after present him with the microscope. vice
versa. He ought be allowed TO learn that 10 have
one thing il Is generally necessary TO do without
something else. and that II therefore behooves him
10 make the wisest choice possible. II Totty IS ex
pected TO buy her neckwear and hair ribbon
out Of her allowance and prefers to spend her
money for candy put it in the missionary box her
mother should not make the deficiency. II Is
great deal more important that she should learn 70
sacrifice whims TO future necessities and 10
be wise well generous than that her personal
appearance should always ne lrreproachahle To act
in this might require selfcontrOl than
parents in the habit OF exercising, hut IL
IS such ways that children learn the memorable
connection between and effect. not by the
occasional nfliction Of artificial punishment.
As for the mothers supervision. that question
ought be early settled In a family whore the
affection and confidence Of the children have
alienated they win naturally TO their
parents for advice in the expenditure Of their
money in everything else. II they do not choose
10 follow the advice when given. they should be