The Washington herald., 1914-04-19
Training and
Mannerly Children

Every mother should realize that with
mannerly or unmannerly. In their ear
liest childhood the foundations of the
manners they will carry with them
through life are laid. Later training may
modify the manners laid on these early
foundations. But such modification will
come only at the expense OF much trou-
BILE. both to the child and to its parents
or teachers. So it is obvious that just as
the all-wise mother gives her child a fair
physical start. building up his health SO
that he will be strong man. so should
she guide his character and teach him
to be polite in manner. Let no mother
persuade herself that her child will sud
denly arrive at a day when he or she will
know instinctively what is right and
wrong to do. In the training of a child
there are no sudden transitions. Yet
against this careful training. day by
day. a word must be said about expecting
too much OF children. for just as many
children have been spoiled by unreason-
able demands upon them as by neglect.
II child is allowed TO monopolize the
conversation at the home dinner table.
make sure that he will do likewise when
he is invited out with his mother TO the
table of her friends. Then the mother is
mortified and wonders why Billy behaves
SO badly away from home AS matter
Of fact, Billy is doing exactly what he
always does, but the eyes Of the indul-
gent mother see this only away from
home surroundings.
How often l have seen mothers enter
street car with a child too young to pay
fare. and then force that child into
scat. leaving elderly people to stand
When those children grow up to manhood
and womanhood, II never occurs to them
to resign their seat to some tired older
person. because in their youth they were
advised to get a scat at any cost.
Physicians have told US that the mem
ory Of a child begins to develop at seven
weeks. and mothers should begin to train
their children soon after that. Perhaps
one Of the most banal methods Of train
ing children is the habit that many mod
ern mothers have Of threatening them
with various kinds Of punishment and
never carrying out the threats. II Is not
unusual to hear mothers say. 'I'll whip
you II you do that again then when the
child repeats the trick just TO see what
will happen. nothing follows except an
other threat from the busy mother. And
when the mischievous child grows 10
womanhood the mother wonders what
gave Gladys such a stubborn disposition.
Mothers, picture TO yourself two chill
dren-one with pretty manners who will
come into a room and speak 10 people,
who will say please when asking for
things at the table. who docs not tell
tales on little playmates. and is alto
gether charming. Then the other who
bids his maid shut up when she speaks
to him reprovingly. who hangs his head
when strangers speak 10 him. and who
TOYS with and complains about the food
SGT before him. Which child do you want
to claim as yours?
So much depends upon the individual
child that no rule can be set down Tor
children in general. Just as a physician
treats each one Of his patients in a DIFF
ferent manner. so must mother learn
to know the temperament Of her indIvld-
ual children and train them accordingly.
The bad manners of a child never reflect
on the child itself. They are simply an
infallible sign that the parents of that
child have neglected TO train MS man
ncrs.
\ child who is made to cat with n" s"r-
wants and who is hustled OF upstairs in
tho nursery when callers arrive. is bound
10 develop coarse table manners and TO
he burdencd with that dreaded character
istic, self-ConsciousnCss-w old enough
to go out into society.
Not long ago met a wcll-tO-dO woman
who had a boy of four years. This child
threw himself into what he termed tan
trlms'' every time his mother had
caller. The first time he had one Of thesa
temper fits she gave in to him and sent
word to her friend asking to he excused.
The child remembered this and repeated
the performance at frequent intervals.
Tho mother tried various kinds Of threats
and forms Of punishments. and then shs
consulted tho family physician. Her" Il
his cure: The next time Jimmy docs
that Mrs Prince. just throw pitrh"r
of cold water over him. lie need not
catch cold. for his maid can chang" his
clothes and ] don't think he will do II
again.
Mrs Prince had caller the very next
dav. and Jimmy promptly proceeded to
lie down on the floor and scream. TIis
mother quietly threw pitcher OF cold
water over him. Jimmy Gaspcd. stopped
screaming. and his mother went down 10
greet her guest. In about fifteen minutet
Jimmy entered the parlor in a dry suit
of clothes. nestled up to his mother. and
has never had another ''tantrum.
The grace OF carriage in children car
be developed largely by sending them 10
dancing school. This Is particularly true
with girls. 1t gives them charm of man.
ner. makes them graceful in bearing. and
helps them to be a social favoritc in fu-
ture years.
The little girl who is allowed TO carry
tales about her playmates will develop
into a dangerous gossip when she be-
comes a woman. The mother cannot be-
gin too early to discourage this practice,
which in time becomes a habit that cam
not be overcome.
So ! say to the mothers of children
the children who in time will show ths
fruits of home training. make friends
with your children. Have them cat ae
the table with you and teach them such
table manners as befits young men and