Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-08-21
MOTHERS VACATION
She needs one just like any other
member of the family-An old
fashioned idea exploded.

The old fashioned idea that n wou,n
should be an absolute slave +o ber
family and home is happily exploded. II
belongs to the bygones with the hooo
skirt and crinoline. ana with the ,attar
"'e hone will never be resurrected.
Women have walked I'D to the know,.
edge that while doing their entire duty
by their family and holne thew still
have duty to themselves.
That they must have time to tbin,,
to expand, to cultivate 10th mind AMI
body.
1t Is a very great mistake to ALLOW
the family and their demands to en-
croach until all the available time ;s
taken up.
There are many dear little mothers
whose self forgetting devotion to the
children leads them to forget all else.
Even the husband and father is for.
gotten, and this is often a fruitful
source of his seeking relaxation and
amusement outside his own home
When the children are quite small
babies he is flushed" every time he
comes home if he ventures to raise mis-
voice, because Tommy or johnny is go
ing to sleep: or else the lried mothe-
walks the floor here, there and everv-
where because they are teething. ami
she feels each pang and pain in her
loving heart. but she has ar angry. i'm.
patient word if by chance her attention
Is required on another p,atter.
This poor mother gives herself no rest
of mind or body from the time the chill
hnrn and
she is nothing but slave to the small
domestic tyrants.
At length she arrives 1T the breaking
down point. She has neglected herself
i'll every way, and lov has to pay the
penalty
She is nothing but Il vcrn out bundle
of nerves, old before her time.
Now this is not doing her duty to
either herself or her children. as
woman, wife or mother.
The mother who IS most loved and
respected is the one who is happily
serene. healthy, and normal. The ideal
mother. who is always ready with
sympathy and advice. Sure of herself
she is a rock of strength in her house
hold.
woman can be this. The time is bound
to come when she is both too nervous
to talk or to listen and she has to
shut herself away from her children
with their plans. hopes and ambitions,
and most likely at the time when the
motner-help is most needful
Al! this could have been avoided il
she had brought her children up from
the first with common sense methods,
and also given herself. as the head of
the family, some consideration and re-
taxation
But she has devoted herself with
such continuity to her household and
has been SO absorbed in it that she
would not take any change. and no.
body has thought it worth while to
insist that she should.
But home is 4 very good place to
get away from sometime. particularly
for mothers.
Not to go away simply to take up
household duties elsewhere with per-
haps a great many inconveniences in
addition, but a complete and absolute
change of environment.
Life on farm where she can sit
the whole day long. with her hands
folded. studying the true meaning OF
the quiet life.
II this does not appeal to her, she
should find a place that does, and see
to it that she gets this change and
gets il every year, whether she will or
no.
You will see the little mother regain
ing her youth and beauty She will
soon tell YOU that she has no nerves
to speak of. but is able to bask on tho
porch or in the hammock, too happy
OF lazy even to read hat revelinS in
the fresh air, the sun and the thou
sand perfumes which prodigal nature
disrenses with such a lavish hand to
those who love and try to understand
her
And what a home cdming; Homie
seems dearer than ever. and its duties
more pleasurab!c. After her change the
mother is energy and contentn'cnt com
bincd. --,,e to listen and laugh with
all, to advise and sympathizc without
one wrinkle left in her brow.
1t is a wise husband who watches her
carefully. ard they are grateful child.
rem who help him in his task: and when
again th,. house mother begins to show
the inevitable signs of wear and tear.
when she begins to look pale and talk
Of her nerves then let him whisk her
away to the country or mountains, where
she does not keep house: for change is
as necessary to the tired woman as
food and drink
Remember this if your mother seems
cross and irritable persuade her to
change and take it right now Don't post
pone II till next year-ncXt year may be
too late.