Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1915-05-15
CHILDREN SHOULD BE INDUS.
TRIOUS.


abolished child labor in factories,
forces all children to graduate from
grammar schools. No one can be COM
PEELED to attend the high school, al
though I wish every child would de-
sire to do so.
This leaves a child under 16 years
of age with a year or two with moth
ing to do. for according to- the law
they cannot procure work. This don't
seem right, but l admit that they are
too young for hard, laborious work.
An important part Of ones education
must be learned by experience and
mingling with others outside Of the
school room, and should be begun in
childhood.
Learning to work and to be help
full is a part Of their education, SO girls
should learn to sew and to aid their
mothers in household duties, and boys
should help on the farm. Those who
live in cities can run on errandS and
when older should be encouraged to
obtain light work to do during some
of their spare time. They should also
be taught how to spend their money
judiciously and wisely, instead Of in
dulging their desires for sweets, drinks,
cigarettes or tobacco in any form.
If time did not hang heavy on their
hands, and the boys were engaged in
some useful employment, don't think
we would see them on the streets as
we do today, with cigarette, or a pipe
or cigars in their mouths talking in a
loud staggering manner as If to at
tract attention and prove to the pass
erby that they are somebody.
Boys and girls enjoy the Fairgrounds
and like to. read; but they can't play
and read all the time: and mothers
can't always keep an eye on them, so
they join other idle companions and
thus form bad habits which should
be avoided.
Idleness breeds selfshness, and fills
childrens minds with nonsensical
ideas. While work. helps to promote
for using ones muscles helps them to
develop and grow strong. The brain
of a healthy child is very active and
children should be trained to cope with
small difficulties, so that when older
larges ones will not intimidate them.
1t seems to me important for chill
dren to be brought up to feel they
have a share in the home. and that
they should help little to defray the
household expenses when working; so
if troubles arise they will wish to pre-
serve the home and work for this, pur-
pose.
Many parents feel that they cannot
afford to send their children to high
school, for they, as well as their boys
and girls, have a little pride and feel
that they must have more changes and
the clothes must be a little better.
Then, too, there are many incidentals
which call for money. Now, if chill
dren are encouraged to do some light
work. for part of the time on Satur-
days and during the long vacations
and to use this money to supply their
needs while attending high school, this
obstacle will be overcome.
Boys can very nearly work them
selves through college if they are so
minded. I know of a dentist, who has
been in business for himself in a large
Massachusetts, city for four years, who
while in college paid for his room and
food by tending the furnace, caring for
the lawn and running on errands for
the proprietresS of a boarding. house.
During one of his long vacations he
worked on farm in the country; the
others he worked in a summer hotel
at the seaside. He is strong, healthy
and capable man.
So, parents, if you cannot afford to
give your boys and girls an education,
encourage and suggest to them ways
by which. with your sanction and help,
they can procure for themselves, for
what others have done they can sure
ly do.
An education thus obtained will pro-
duce the man and woman required by
the world of today. Their untiring eff
forts and energy will procure for them
many productive resources which will
enable them to combat with life's diff
nCulCleS. Iney Will De T1Cn IN I'M
agination, if not in wealth. for they
will feel that they have the power
and strength to accomplish their de-
sires. They will be able to argue
nationally and with understanding on
the great questions of the day. They
will have learned to be prudent and
DESTROYS Of helping others as they
themselves have been helped.
These facts prove to me that work,
not too much nor too hard, is good for
growing lads and lassies, helps to de-
velop their character and to supply
much that would otherwise De lacking
in their education.
The responsibilities of parents can
not be lightly assumed, for the care
and guidance of young children re-
quires good judgment and understand
ing of how to deal with different dis
positions, tact, patience, Christian for
bearance and above ALL great love-
that will enable one to sacrifice and
suffer for others.
Children who possess such parents
usually become good and capable men
and women, although few may some
times falter by the way, but in time
they will conform to living Alright and
become esteemed citizens.