The Prescott daily news., 1911-07-05
Being Firm
 With Reggie


 aisle. T always say that if parents mothers particularly-would be con sistently firm, there would be very lit tie trouble in bringing up children.
 Now, Reggie darling, don't eat any more banana. You've had two already and you know they don't agree with you
 No, dear. not even one more. You know when mother says No she means it. As I was saying, one must be f1rm-gently firm. It's the only way. Oh. Reggie, have you peeled that banana Mother Is surprised at you
 Oh, to have 1t ready to eat later. How quaint children are, aren't they? Very well. dear, but don't smear 1t around on things. Now. just look. Reggie, you've got 1t on my travelling bag. There. lay it down at once. say at once! Mercy, don't put it on my veil! What would daddy say if he knew you put your banana on mothers nice veil? You mustn't be so careless. Reggie darling. Now. be a good boy, sit still and look out of the window.
 Il believe that most persons don't give enough thought to the rearing of children. Parenthood should be studied even more carefully than any of the learned professions. We should realize that the little budding souls and bodies are given to us to train and nurture and we should aspire in"
 Now, Reggie don't you know moth CT said you must not eat any more banana? Why, mother Is dreadfully surprised at you.
 Well, since you've had bite you may finish that half of the banana but not any more, dear; 1t might make you H.
 q think 1t wise to be very careful of child's diet. often think that If mothers were more particular when children are little there wouldn't be so many dyspeptics in the world I don't believe in allowing children to Cut anu DetWeen meals all the time. I am always firm about that Now, Reggie. put that banana down. I said you could have only half of 1t and you know very well. darling, that mean what I say.
 Lust one tiny bite more? Very we'll, then, but now, dear. put 1t down. Oh, Reggie, take 1t off that book. quick, How could you lay it on such a beautiful book? What would daddy say if he knew you had Just about spoiled that pretty binding? It looked like new before you did that and I meant to take 1t to your Aunt Ella, Now I'll have to stop downtown on our way to her house and buy some other present for her You must be more thoughtful. dear.
 q believe in teaching children to be thoughtful and considerate while they are young. Water? Oh, wouldn't drink any now, darling It isn't good for you to drink so much water and my travelling cup is down in the bottom of my suitcase-it's really too much trouble to get 1t. Look out of the window and see those pretty COWS.
 q never use the public drinking cups on any train. I really think it a dangerous thing to do. One can't be too exacting in matters of hygiene, If parents paid more attention to hy- giene there would be fewer weddings in the world. We'll. of course, if you're so dreadfully thirsty, Reggie, you can get some water. He probably needs it. although he drank glassful only little while ago. I have the ory that children crave what their systems demand.
 Why. Reggie, did you drink out of that public glass? You should have reminded mother to get out our own cup. .c was naughty of you to be so careless. There's no telling what mi crobes there were on that glass but hope you won't suffer any dreadful consequences. Dear me, mothers life has to be one of eternal vigilance, doesn't 1t? often wonder if Reggie will ever appreciate all my ceaseless worry and never ending care for him. I fear children rarely realize all the sacrifices mother makes for them. Why. Reggie. are you at that ba- mana again? We'll, I never saw such boy, You know I told you that you had all you ought to have. and you know mother always means what she says. Too much banana isn't good for little boy like you.
 Well. yes. I suppose, as long as there's only one little bite left. Now.