The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1915-04-07
~ WHAT SHALL | DO? 7


dreds and thousands of young women so
employed, and there is room for many
more.
You, no doubt know families where
a good mothers helper is needed-where
children. left to the tender mercies of
an ever-changing succession Of nurses.
and neglected by the mother whose du-
ties are more than she can carry really
need a big sister. Many times the only
reason such over-burdened mothers don't
employ mothers helpers is just because
they have never thought of it, or do not
know where to find a suitable young
woman to take the position.
There is nothing in the duties Of a
real mothers helper that the proudest
girl in the land should not be willing to
do. She Is always the social equal Of her
employers. or is for aught her position
has to do with: and one Of the frequent
causes for failure in this work comes
from the fact that some mothers help
ers are not proud" enough-that they
allow their charges to snub them and
override their directions. and that they
do not their work with the devotion and
whole heartedness of a sister. but with
subservience and low spirits.
One thins-the busaboo Of most girls
who so to work-your daughter il she
becomes a mothers helper, will not have
to face, and that is monotony. In the
schoolroom, in the Office, in the store,
almost everywhere where young women
work. there is frequently a good bit of
sameness; but in the home-especially in
the home Of a family that can afford to
have a mothers helper-there is enough
variety to keep young woman from
growing oppressed with the monotony OF
things. She is constantly having to adopt
herself to new surroundings. and has to
use every faculty she possesses to make
a success of her work.
The mothers helpers day usually be-
gins when the children OF the family
need her assistance in dressing. for even
ii there is nurse under the mothers
helper she must see to 1t that her little
charges are ready for the day. Her day
closes usually when she reads them their
bedtime story and tucks them in bed
for the night. Hours full of variety are
crowded in between-trips to the shops,
drives. walks, children's frolics and par
ties, reading aloud and story telling
forming a round of healthy. womanly
occupation and devotion.
Another strong argument, besides that
of variety. in favor Of this kind of work
for young woman, is the protection
that it affords. One of the hardest things
for most young women to bear about
going to work Is the thought Of having
to 90 out every morning. to be thrown
more or less on their own responsible
ties. The mothers helper has none Of
this to contend with, and no matter how
hard her work or how trying the situa-
ton that it is sometimes the mothers
helpers duty to face, she is never IN
protected
How do young women get positions OF
this sort? Perhaps the most usual way
through the recommendation of ac-
quaintances. Mrs. Jones feels the need
of some one to help her with the duties
Of homemaker and mother. Mr.. Jones,
whose bank account is in good condition,
urges her to employ another nurse, a
governess. more maids. But this is not
just what Mrs. Jones is in need of. She
wants an understudy, a big daughter,
who will share with her the work she
has to do as only a member Of the family
could possibly share it. She has heard
Of mothers helpers. but she doesn't know
how to find one.
OF course. Mrs. Jones doesn't want a
stranger to come into her family-that
would spoil the home atmosphere. she
thinks. II she only knew Of some nice
Young woman who would come and live
with her! She tells friend of her pre-
icament and the friend repeats 1t to a
friend of hers who happens to know az
doctor who has three delight
'ul daughters whom he has been strug |
Cling to educate. The eldest Is just
through school, and wants to spend q
winter in the city. The story of the
doctors daughter goes back to /!
Mrs. Jones and within a week she has
sent for the young woman to come and |
Try being her mothers helper. Needless |
% say. the country doctors daughter il |
lust suited to Mrs. Jones and every one |
8 happy.
There are other ways to get in touch {
with mothers helpers. She might ap- /,
ply to an employment agency. Any Of |
he big teachers and professional agen- I
lies frequently place mothers helpers. |
More frequently. however, woman in |
reed of mothers helper would adver- |
lily found in the pages OF Newspaper. |
,ut in the weekly publications church |
and reviews Of current |
events and literary subjects being the |
best places to hnd such advertisements |
There il many q slip in this work, |
Il In any other, and every young wom- |
an who gets q position ~ mothers |
helper does not make success. The |
1oung woman who boasts OF her tenn
Derament. her moods. Of the fact that |
she 10 either AL up or all down. may |
,erhaps succeed at some things, but ~ |
! mothers helper-never. The mothers |
,elper must be above all else cane and |
wen tempered: she must like to Be 9Th |
,eople and be willing TO enter Int tkings /
Nth other people. She must know how
o do things that make . ~ sister /
IN asset to the family. anA sometimes l
icing big sister b no easy task. She
nay have to help with the oaxnlne ana /
nsnding. - ~ have - ~ uteA ~
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