The Savannah morning news., 1904-05-01

There is an old saying that it Is
easier for one father to take care of
ten children than it is for ten chill
dren to take care of one father. How
ever this may be, it is certainly much
easier for most mothers to wait upon
their children than it is to teach them
to care for themselves. Consequently,
this important duty is often shirked
and the children grow up without
even the faintest idea of self-reliance.
1t is no longer the fashion for girls
to be of the clinging vine type, or for
boys to be effeminate, and the mother
who would have self-reliant, womanly
girls and manly, capable boys must
begin to train them in babyhood.
For instance, when the child is Of
fered a toy, do not place it in the out
stretched hands, but let the tiny fin
gers reach out for the object which is
quietly held before him. In other
words, let the baby's mind be self-ac-
tive, and let him do his own thinking
from the first.
mother has the right to fondle
her baby, and besides this helps to es-
tablish a sympathy between the two
However, it is not always possible for
the mother to lay aside other duties
to devote herself solely to the child
and he must learn to do without the
petting, If necessary, and be self-re-
liant.
Encourage But Don't Help Him.
When he begins to creep or walk, it
is only right to encourage and reassure
him, hut do not seem to help him. 1t
will be better for him not to know that
-. &C vf,oar xsrfn h. out
stretched to catch him at the first dan
ger signal. If he once gets this idea
into his head, he will depend upon 9TH
ers all through life, unless he has so
many hard knocks later on that he con-
quers the inclination.
A normal child can amuse himself
by the hour if he is left to himself.
which proves that the majority of
children are naturally self-reliant If
they are permitted to be so, and are
encouraged in this trait of character.
Come and build castle for mother
out of your blocks" says the wise
mother who wishes to divert a fretful
child. Johnny is delighted with the
suggestion and proudly builds castle,
block by block. Then she praises him
and h~ is satisfied.
On the other hand. the mother who
loves her child just as well. but who
AaSho ldCl, says. 0OlhG dAll lCI AiAObhOA
build a castle for Johnny out of the
blocks" They sit down ON the floor
and mother builds the castle, which
pleases the child Immensely. AS soon
as this task is completed, he wants
mother to build another, and II she
does not do so he pouts and perhaps
screams and kicks until he gains his
point.
Mothers to Blame.
After that he knows just how to
manage his mother, and he depends
upon her to amuse and entertain him
to suit his pleasure.
Il have never even buttoned my
own Shoes said a young woman re-
recently, who was suddenly left penni-
less, The she added How can
earn my own living? My father sim
ply would not permit me to wait upon
myself, or fit myself for anything,
Tor he was so sure that my future was
provided for
AS soon as the child is old enough
70 button his own garments he should
be taught that 1t is a manly thing to
90. Furthermore, he should be pro-
weed with his own toilet conveniences
ana taught how to care for himself
properly, without depending upon the
nurse of mother for everything.
All mothers cannot afford to employ
a nurse for their children. Then, too,
there are those who will not do so,
because they prefer to care for their
children themselves. Such mothers
VIII md their burdens materially less