Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-01-15
DON'T SPANK THE
NAUGHTY CHILDREN
ALSO DO NOT USE GOO GOO TALK
TO BABIES
Some Advice to Mothers Is Given
Begin Talking to Girls About
Marriage When Young

First-Never spank children. Tail
to them as if they were men and wo-
men.
Second-Teach gallantry in the cra-
die. Both sexes will do their best
only before the other sex.
Third-Teach the girls the mystery
of life before they get their knowl-
edge in the wrong way and place.
These three points are the START
ling innovations in baby culture pros
pounded by Mrs w. R. Edwards, Of
Des Moines. She is the corresponding
secretary of the Iowa Mothers con-
gress. Mrs Edwards is one of the
leaders in the Highland Park Moth
ers' club and is deep student OF
child education.
"Goo-goo talk to children is ali
bosh, said Mrs Edwards one morn 4
| ing. 1T can do no possible good and
it takes years away from the educa-
tional growth Of a child by teaching
him a thing that must be unlearned
again with difficulty. Furthermore, Il
is within itself mere foolfshness.
taboo 1t. Talk to the babies as If
| they were men and women. They will
learn to understand that sooner than
| they would baby talk anyway. My
boy was a little man at four, and we
always talked over our business with
| him.
Then you believe in the early ed
ucation of children?"
Indeed I do: They should be-
life.
What do you think of co-educa-
tion?"
"There is a point that needs en-
phasis. The little ones will do their
best in front of the opposite sex.
do not know how soon babies realize
these things, but it seems to me that
the training of them to respect OPP
posite sex should be taken up early.
Perhaps the same rule would Apply!
to all training. Begin after birth and
continue quietly and consistently toI
train them tot ultimate ends.''
"How soon does the baby recognized
| the difference in sex?"
About that I do not know. But
very little ones will do their level
best before their tiny sweethearts.
It's spirit that is one of the most
| potent factors in the education of
| the child.
"Of course you believe In generous
spanking, Mrs Edwards?"
Indeed I do not. Why should a
grown parent have greater right
| strike than a child? Besides, 1t is ii,
the most effective. A man is touche;
| more deeply by words than by blow
and SO the strongest and less brute
methods to correct children would
be to speak to them. That is part Of
my system Of early training. Let them
understand things and they realize
the significance of reproof. If spank
ing We're not done under IA it would
not be done at all. It Is wrong and
the child who is weak has a much.
greater right to strike than the par
ent. I think it is a sign of brutal tenn
4 per-"
what do you think of the moral
education of girls ?''
One of the most remarkable of Mrs
Edwards views is that of the mother
ly talks to girls. 1t is her opinion that
the girls should be told everything
about life as soon as they are able to
understand. Even at the age Of ten
she would have them understand the
mystery that might cause them sor-,
row later, unless protected by a
mothers advice and care. It is this
knowledge with which Mrs Edwards
would fight the divorce evil, teaching
the girls first Of all what many
of them learn only when it is too
late. She urges such an early age as
ten because they are then In danger
of bad company and are rapidly ma
turing in mind and body.
Talk about marriage when the
girls are ten and there won't be the
same necessity for divorce. You OBJ
serve that women ask most for the
divorce. It's because their school waa
the school of sin, ~,