Los Angeles herald., 1910-02-19
SCOLDlNG HABIT
IS HEREDITARY
MRS. 0SM0ND HELPING ON
CORRECTIVE METHOD
QUESTION IN VARIOUS PHASES
is DISCUSSED
Playing of Children Results In Ner-
Vousness, Unhappiness, Dread
of Authority and often
Resentment

When you were a child and had la
bored long and faithfully to perform
some task assigned by father or moth
er, did you wait for expected words of
appreciation which never were spoken
If so you will appreciate and profit
by the address on "Scolding," being de-
livered before Parent-Teacher associa-
tions by that faithful member of the
Mothers congress-, Mrs. Osmond
Helping.
The organization, with all it's import
ant branches and active committees,
is doing no more effective work than
that of aiding the mothers themselves,
who go to make UP that great body.
Mrs Helping Is one of the speakers
who is aiding in this cause.
An extract from her address, as de-
livered before the Union Avenue School
association Wednesday, is as follows:
ScoIding Is Hereditary
There is a story told of a boy, who
being assured that his mother and
grandmother before him had been
whipped for their youthful naughti-
ness, asked, WELL who started it, any
way?' --.
80 while granting the necessity OF
reproof or punishment, when we con-
slider the question of scolding the same
question comes to us again, Wen,
hereditary, not exactly born in the
flesh, but implanted in the growing
mind.
"a scolding parent makes a scold-
ing child-watch and see Children
adopt the same manner and attitude
toward dolls, brothers and sisters,
schoolmates and finally (if they dare)
toward their parents; or, in the case
of some quieter or easily oyerawed
child the scolding habit does not gain
sway until maturity, then it asserts
itself.
"The young wife and mother takes
up her mothers or fathers way OF
managing children and scolds, too.
Is Habit
1.-THE very language is habitual, the
frame of mind becomes habitual, the
familiar words and phrases fly out es-
pecially when one is tired, excited or
in haste. Sentiment and reason fail
to come to our rescue and habitual
instinct and impulse have their way
and so the tongue scolds and the hand
spanks without any effort whatever
this is habit.
you will ask if there is any defense
of scolding or the scolder? Yes, for
surely someone began it. and the
scolders of today are the sons and
daughters of the scolds of yesterday.
Tired mothers distracted by their chill
dren's actions as we sometimes term
il, busy-minded fathers suddenly con-
fronted by a case of bad disobedience
or some aggravating prank-then we
are in no condition to judge wisely or
Justly, and to say or do the right thing.
No wonder the tongue or the hand
flies, moreover 1t often seems on the
spot the only way out of a difficulty
and very often 1t is certainly the
easiest.
Flags Children
sIt flaws some children into perpetual
nervousness, sensitiveness, unhappi-
ness, dread of authority and perpetual
resentment. Others it hardens to in
difference diSreSpect. 1t creates dis
courtesy and resentment, and resent
nent becomes habitual frame of mind
or a quick instinct in child and par
ent, the language becomes less cour-
teous and less considerate. We wonder
why the children do not say please
and thank you in word and manner.
Why? Because too often it hears only
the language of authority, contempt,
sarcasm or nagging complaint In such
an atmosphere how impossible for
children to be courteous.
"How carefully the criminals case
is tried before a jury, what sitting of
evidence and measuring of judgment to
fit the crimel 1t takes time and pa
tience, it is costly, but it pays in the
II.
the heavens fall Justice and love in
the home create respect for authority
and make justice and righteousness
in the nation.
There Is Cure
''How shall we resist this habit of
scolding, this impulse that masters us
in the rush and worry of busy life?
Let us try to remember that mind and
tongue are reporters, let us practice
other habits-anything that puts life
and thought on a higher plane and
brightens the atmosphere of the home,
help and encourage the child's long
ings and desires, strive to get and hold
their confidence. What if some slips
and faults go unreproved, so do many
of ours. Let us plant many new seeds
practice firmness, self-control, cheer
fulness the sense of humor, the love
of a good story and sympathy for the
child. and in so doing help to cultivate
those same virtues in the child's mind
Practice breathing through the nose
and remember that breathing through
the nostrils keeps germs of disease
from entering the system and will also
keen the germs of discord from getting
out. For whoever heard of anyone
being able to scold with the mouth
closed?"