Ashland tidings. [volume] (Ashland, Or.) 1876-1919, 1912-12-05
:. Ole =.
Home Maker
EDITED BY
ALICE +. TALCOTT.
The EX-Baby.

Few people realize the sorrows of
childhood. There is no grief so
poignant as that of a child who finds
himself supplanted by a new little
brother or sister. Accustomed to all
the attention, it is hard for him to
take second place.
The new baby receives most of
mothers time and care. Relatives
and friends, who had always made
much of him, bought his childish ia
vor with toys and sweets, now pass
him by with few words and give their
praises to the new babe.
The ex-baby knows that he has
not changed, that he is just as
bright, just as sweet and lovable as
he was before the coming of little
brother or sister; and although he
does not understand the changed
conditions, he feels that it is not
| fair. Have we not much the same
feeling when a cherished friend be-
slows upon another some of the
friendship which we had considered
our exclusive right?
Sometimes a thoughtless person
will twit the eX-baby with having his
nose out of joint" Most children
have a keen sense of justice and
many a childish heart has been filled
with jealous rage at such remarks
One very sensitive little girl of three
years gazed silently and wistfully at
the new baby sister, then remarked
sadly:
DO you wish you didn't have me,
mammal"
Teach the child to love the new
conner. Prepare him beforehand by
telling him how nice it would be for
him to have a little brother or sis
ter. Teach him that it is something
which is to belong to him, an inter
est which he is to share with father
and mother, a sweet companion and
| future playmate.
When the baby comes arouse in
the older child the protective in
stinct. Make him understand its ut
| ter helplessness. Teach him to
touch it gently, to consider it's COM
! fort. Most children respond quickly
to sense of responsibility, and
there is no broader basis for affec-
ton.
Give to each newcomer the love
and welcome which is its divine
right, but do not set aside the ex-
baby. Make him feel that the old
place is still his and he will willing
ly share it with the new baby.
The period of the passing of the
baby into the little boy or girl, to
make room for new baby, is crit
ical period in the lives OF many chill
dren. Everything depends on how
the older baby accommodates itself
to the altered conditions. If one
works to good ends the epoch may
| be made one of great attainment for
the little child. 1t may taste the joys
of small unselfish acts, such as Civ
! ing baby pretend" taste of cake,
or yielding toy to the small out
stretched hand. 1t is period crowd
ed with ripe opportunities if the
mother will but take advantage of
them.
AS the children grow older and
the youngest begins to assert itself
the mother must not relax her vigil
ance. New complications will arise
with play The other child must
not be expected to yield too much,
or in every instance in which there
is a difference concerning toys or
privileges. For its own good and
the future peace of both, the young
est should learn that it cannot al
ways have its own way.
In order to save themselves the
annoyance of hearing the baby cry,
many mothers compel the older child
to give up the plaything that is the
source of the trouble. This harms
both children, as it teaches the
younger that it has only to cry to get
what it wants and arouses in the old
er child sense of injustice, resent
ment and jealousy.
A mother whose children, a boy
and girl, aged two and four, played
without friction, was asked how. she
managed them. From the first I
taught them to respect one anothers
ownership of playthings,' she said.
IF Charlie asks me for something
of Mary's | say to him: 1t is not
mine; it belongs to Mary. You must
ask her. and he usually gets what
he asks"
NUT RECIPES.