The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1912-07-13
FAMILY READING.

view, we again MADE an earnest plea
for family reading. Nothing can take
it's place as means of instruction in
the home, and it inculcates a habit
that will be lifelong qualification to
it's possessor. We do not advise the
father of family to attempt a radical
change in the domestic routine by fix
ing an hour when all must be present
to listen to him read what may suit his
taste, though it may be incomprehensi-
BILE or distasteful to his audience. This
is an efficient way of leading children
to dislike reading aloud.
The wise father will find out what
interests the children. He will not
ask gruffly What book is that you
have?" Now, when he sees his boy
absorbed in book, his chin on his
breast, his whole mind intent on what
he is reading, he will say incidentally:
What is it all about, Johnnie? Sup
pose you read a chapter or so to me. "
Read to father! The boy is pleased
and honored by the request, and does
his best to give satisfaction. At the
close of the reading father and son
drop into a friendly discussion of the
subject, and the parent learns the
trend of the young mind. He improves
his opportunity to censure wisely, to
praise, and to suggest. The younger
children listen, and when another Op-
portunity offers they too are ready to
read to father and are very proud of
oil IN ID hu
tie the influence spreads. Father and
mother give more thought to the selec-
ton of reading matter; and more care
full in excluding papers filled with re-
ports of crime and teaching contempt
for authority; they consult together to
be ready for the children's questions
when the now anxiously expected fam
lily reading hour arrives. A close bond
of union draws parents and children
together, and all are learning lessons
of measureless value. When the chill
dren grow older, home still keeps it's
attraction for them, and the keen de-
light of intellectual intercourse ex-
cludes all undue desire for the social
frivolities that absorb the leisure of so
many young people who have been Civ
en- no mental equipment.
By a very simple, gradual process
the father has led his boys and girls to
a fount of true knowledge. He has &C
customed them to read and know the
best of literature and surrounded
them with a circle of friends whose
company is an amending joy and edi-
fication.
How can the ordinary father or
mother do this? we hear some one ask.
Any father with a genuine interest in
the real welfare of his children can do
it. The mother may plead lack of
time, but where there is will there is
a way. The baby may be fractions, but
even fractions babies sleep, and while
the mother is sewing she can listen to
little Mary or Margaret read from her
school reader or history and talk to her
about the characters. She can take up
the Catholic paper and study the ad-
vice about books that it gives, or she
can make a note of an interesting
story to tell the children, or of de-
scription of beautiful Catholic customs
in other countries that she will bring
to their attention, perhaps while they
are standing beside her showing her
the geography lesson they must pre-
pare. A good mother will not fail to
find time for such home instruction.
She will stimulate the children's ef-
forts to please and surprise father
with the progress they are making,
and father in turn will find home a
pleasant place to stay in, in the even
ings, with his little circle all eager to
get his assistance and approval.
In intoxicating a love of good read.
ing, as in every other lesson he teaches
the father must be wise and patient
Your father will be pleased to hear
you recite this so nicely, George" said
a teacher to a retiring child, who had
recited a poem faultlessly ooh, don't
ask my father to come" exclaimed the
boy, "T'll forget every word, teacher "
81 thought he helped you to learn it, y
said the teacher, and the boy made
answer, He made me say it over, but
l was frightened and forgot and he
yelled at me, You'll never learn it.
you blockhead!'"
And yet he was called a model
father! There are others like him
They need the discipline of coming
down day after day to the level of the
children's needs and attainments; OF
seeing life through their eyes; and oil
learning to mould with infinite care
and tenderness the plastic young
minds and souls that God has given
into their temporary keeping. One Of
the most efficacious methods the mod
ern father can use to know and infiu
ence his children is the practise OF
family reading.
TREATMENT OF SERVANTS.
We have heard many women, heads