Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1905-06-17
Mothers Mistakes.

NlOLIeAS NuAS[0f-So'
Pure unselfshness in mother frequent
X develops great selfshness in their
rhildren. a pathetic example of this
fact is given in a letter incorporated in
an article written by Airs. Theodore w.
R;rnev for The Delineator. Mrs. Birney,
81. the honorary president of the Nation
m Congress Of Mothers, receives many
ouneals from mothers. The one referred
~ i n woman who gave up all outside
OBLIGATIONS and devoted herself entirely
ia hcr children in order to give the older
ones tie advantages of music, school,
ore. only to find thai after eXpending ey-
erlthing possible on the older ones they
developed great selhshness and left the
Younger ones to earn their own living
lacking education and opportunities for
culture. two of the girls being forced into
tile vocation of clerking as early as 10 or
III wears of age. This woman writes that
She has lived more for the children
ru9n with them" and asks for some com
uput upon her mistakes.
referring to this confession. Mrs. Bir-
NOV SAYS that in the phrase Il have
iiyad more for the children than with
HEM the writer makes the strongest
nns.ible commentary of her mistakes
and adds: Had she lived with her
children she would have had opportuni-
Ties of noting and checking faults and
tendencies which she either overlooked
or took for granted in her manifold ac-
tjvities for their material welfare and
advancement.
One of the most touching things in
life. and also one of the most inspiring
is the wonderfully developed quality of
Splf-sacritice in maternal love, and yet
stan finer and nobler is mother love tenn
rprad with Justice. The latter kind of
love may not at first appeal to our emo
rinaal nature, but it's results surely COM
n3rd our admiration. To be just to
children means not only that they shall
be tenderly loved and wisely guided. but
that they shall be allowed the opportunl-
~ 10 develop into strong and good men
and women. They are Kindred i'll such
development if they are prevented
through a mistaken sense of kindness
c,-.Deration with their parents, SO far
rs /, practicable, in all that goes toward
lie making of Il happy home.
II have known whole families de-
pgiyed Of many legitimate little comforts
and pleasures through the desire of a
fond aud ambitious mother to have her
daughter study some accomplishment for
which She had not the slightest degree
Of talent, but which the mother hoped
might be the means of opening some So
ca avenue for her. Only genius, or
perseverance so marked as to be allied to
genius, has a claim to such sacrifices.
It rs all very natural, this mistaken par
entail aspiration, but it is often pathetic
IL IFS manifestations and results
1T is sight for every father and moth
or to wish for the success and happiness
Of their children, but in seeking this
end they build upon sand unless they
civ" character building precedence over
mere material advancement. Perhaps,
IL the present instance, if undue sacri-
htes rad not been made for the older
c.t.aren, it might not have been neces-
sar} for the two younger daughters Ia
become bread winners as clerks before
their physical development was complete
ana M an age when they needed the re-
FIHniug Influences of home life. The
older sons and daughters, had they been
ttH-tt 10 minister instead Of being al
ways mlniStered unto, would have
Shared III the responsibility of caring
Joy 5ueT younger brothers and sisters.
Ut l were that mother | should appeal
"'.H my whole heart and soul to the old
or rIIi!dren | should tell them Of the
wrong unintentionaly done them
tnFeH-h my mistaken sacrifices, and ask
t-e'A to help me righl this wrong by
e'-+Ag everything in their power to heip
I'' with the other children. | should
H'i demand anything of them, but
SHOULD talk with them as tenderly and
i7'm-iF as | could. praying always that
my words might reach their inner spri
t0ai consciousness. And then. dea.
i'"j"eer, ii the response be not all yon
i.'F',i Tor, be not cast down; be brave
,'' oi good cheer You doubtless have
...'F years of service before you. and
t.i1 message, this warning YOU have ut
~ SINCE 1t goes literally 10 all paris
q tae earth, who can measure it's rowe,
l'r good, its quickening effect upoD the
i4'nd> Of young mothers?"