Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1909-02-12
a.,iseellaneoas Rsaains.
CONTROLLING A CHILD.
Parents Should Seek Cause of Fret
tina-Protect the Health.

Parents Should Seek Cause Of Fret
tins-Protect the Health.
Unless one is a doting parent, the
mother of a bad child is not deceived
about it. Susie is terror. The wor-
ried and mortified mother knows 1t,
but cannot help 1t.
Instead of fretting or scolding, let
the mother go cause-seeking. If Su-
sic whines necessarily, find the rea-
son. 1t may be lack Of health or lack
of discipline. Each is durable, though
the latter takes courage.
Health is the chief factor in good
behavior 1t strains many grown
up temper to keep sweet when dys-
peptic. Keep children we'll and they
generally cease to be bad.
Cultivate health. Don't talk It, Let
health be a word taboo in your fam
lily circle.
Two mites, neither over s, were
overheard in excited conversation:
my mother says cannot go to kim
dergarten this fall, I'm too nervous"
said the younger child.
"You needn't be so proud" was the
reply of her friend. my mamma
says I'm too nervous to be whipped
so can be bad whenever I want to,
and that's lots nicer than not going
to kindergarten"
The mothers Of the children never
hut
versation smart" They failed to
realize the misery for themselves, and
the children in giving such an excuse
on which to shift misdoings.
Never let children know there are
broken-down nerves. Give a child
proper food, air and exercise, see that
it's dress is hygienic and its habits reg
ular, but do not harp on health as the
reason for this sensible regime.
A manner Of living that should
seem normal to the child becomes irk-
some if accompanied by wearisome
commands-"It is time for you to go
bed; you will be too worn out for
school tomorrow. THAT candy will
ruin your digestion" Get out Of that
draft; you know they give you cold!'
No wonder Willie develops an aptitude
for school sicknesses and Margaretta
becomes an unmitigated crank, afraid
of fresh air.
Almost better is it to follow the ex-
ample of one mother who never, If
possible, talked health to her child.
Her small son, who could not eat
strawberries without bad cramp, had
an inordinate love Of strawberry
shortcake. The decision was left to
the child's judgment.
When the shortcake appeared he
would eat of it heartily and immedi-
ately afterward would voluntarily fill
the hot-water bottle and retire to bed
to await the inevitable bad pain,
which was borne without a groan.
That boy is now man and one of
unusual self-control. He does not eat
his cake and whine over results, as is
the way with most of us. He weighs
his actions carefully, then grits his
But sensible theories on health
which does not mean making 1t a
thorn in the flesh to your children or
raising a family Of germ-dreading
cranks-do not turn that bad child in
to a paragon. The healthiest child
who has never been controlled will not
be pleasant to live with.
Nothing grows on one like having
ones own way. The tiniest infant
knows the value Of yell. Whose
fault is it but the mothers, that such
knowledge comes? Why should she
complain that it accumulates interest
as the years go on?
1t is with hard-fought battles that
child is taught to obey after 1t Is 3
years old. 1t can be done, but 1t
means heartache and bitterness on
both sides. The time to begin train
ing is at four days or four months,
bringing common sense to bear.
Common sense is not Furnishing for
temper when a pin is pricking or dis
ciplining a stubborn disposition In
your baby when the food it eats is un-
digested, and your inherited dread of
colds is sweltering the poor infant In
flannels on broiling day.
Get control of your children, but
get it in the right way. Do not make
foolish rules, which you would not
keep yourself unless you were whack-
ed into it, and, having laid them down
feel it weak to change them. Do not
have more rules than are necessary.
Avoid issues.
Above all, remember that the bad
child never became good one
through nagging, reviling and over
severity. Gentleness and firmness on
the part of the parents and good di-
gestion in the child make for family
peace Ledger.