The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1912-10-10
HOME CIRCLE COLUMN.
TRAINING CHILDREN

The proper method of training chill
dren is one that has been thoroughly
discussed, and the problem is no near
err solution now than it has been
since its inception. 1t is one of those
perplexing questions that furnish in
terminable argument. The mind of
every parent seems to be invested
with his or her peculiar individual
theory as to how the seeds of morality,
industry and intelligence should be
sown during the days of adolescence
that they may produce their legitimate
results at maturity. Years and ex-
perience, which should afford us the
opportunity OF comparing our powers
of perception with those of others, fail
to correct tie inconsistent xpectations
which arise from want of capacity
and discriminative observation TO set
the right value upon the responsible
task of character moulding" 1t Of
ten happens that the wisdom we gain
in this respect comes too late, and
the object which we sought may be
absolutely unattainable.
Many parents begin at the wrong
end. The exercise Of severe influence
is productive of no good result and in
their efforts to implant in the young
nina the fearful consequences of as
ISOLATION with an immoral and vicious
world they unconsciously drift into
extremes. The safeguards of admon-
ition are regarded as too simple, too
impotent, and oral advice is not in
frequently emphasized by physical
argument. A rigid surveillance is kept
over their actions; everything they at
tempt is met with a severe restrictive
policy. The panorma of every day life
is kept from their gaze and study; they
are kept aloof from every thing that
has a semblance Of worldly pleasure,
at which the young nature finally re-
bells, and the influence of this danger
itself. The life of child becomes
monotonous under this course of treat
ment. 1t longs for liberty of thought
and action and like bird released
from its prison cages, when it gets be-
You'd the Threshold of home it finds
itself apparently in new world-a
world of deceit, temptation and seduct-
i've inhuences-and in nine cases out of
ten it falls an easy victim.
Still another method presents itself
Some parents say. "Oh, let my child
SOW his wild oats, it will settle down
after while" But this view of the
case frequently recoils with sorrow
and disgrace upon the parents. Left
to follow the dictates of their own
minds, with no restraining hand to
check them, they are suddenly caught
up in the net of temptation and lost
beyond redemption. Youth, however,
is not without it's guide, if it will take
warning from example, This is we'll;
but you must have someone to teach
it, to watch over it, and to impress it
with the necessity of cultivating those
virtues that give character and honor
to manhood and womanhood. The
foundation must be firm upon which to
rear the superstructure, and it depends
entirely upon the wisdom of the pa
rent what kind of material shall con-
sttute this foundation.
A writer on this subject once per-
tinently said: every man wants three
sorts of education: one to fit him for
his own particular trade or calling
this is professional education; two to
teach him duty as man and citizen
this is moral and political education;
three, to fit him for his higher rela-
tions, as Gods creature, designed for
immoraliiy-this is religious educa-
ton" And it strikes the writer very
forcibly that this combination of vir-