The Nezperce herald. (Nezperce, Idaho) 1900-1957, 1916-02-24
effects or
Fear 4
On Children

Most Of US are familiar with stories
OF the DOGGY nurse OF long ago. but few
realize that her type survives even in
these enlightened days. 1t seems prob
able that from very earliest times
there have been people whose only
Idea Of ruling children was 10 employ
a discipline Of fear.
One hundred years ago Napoleon was
the favorite DOGGY. especially among
English speaking people, and terrifying
were the tales which nurses and prob
ably many foolish parents invented OF
the horrors he perperated ON small
children who cried IN the night, soiled
their Sunday frOcks. or were guilty OF
any OF the hundred and one small
naughtinesses children unthinkingly
commit
A word that "BOney is coming would
send many small girls and boys COVER
ing beneath the bedclothes. there TO
spend hours Of shivering terror. while
the real DOGGY who had so scared them
employed the time cheerily g0ssiping
In the servants room
But that was all very long ago. Now
adays we study hygiene. eugenics and
what not and take the bringing up OF
our children very seriously. There IS
one fact. however. we often overlook.
A 1915 incarnation Of the bogy nurse
is still among us. Today for weapons
Of terror she uses the policeman Now.
this is very wrong for the child who
lives in the city should be taught that
the policeman on the corner, In the
park or anywhere one finds his brass
buttons and gold braid is a person TO be
welcomed as a friend and protector OF
the Riddles, not an enemy or a bOgy TO
be feared. If this idea of the law is In
stilled into the youngsters head he win
not forget it should he become lost
from his mother or nurse. Instead of
wandering along the streets or park
helpless and bewfldered be VIII run
confidently to the nearest policeman.
explain his troubles as best he can and
stay content with the big man deco
rated with many brass buttons until
aid arrives.
The child who is taught to fear the /
policeman. on the other hand. shuns
him in time of trouble. with effects
which are sometimes disastrous both Il
to the little fellow and his parents
A stroll through the park any pleas
inf day viii bring you in contact with
he foolish nurse who holds up the pO-
ieeman as a terrible DOGGY.
Come along Master Bobbyt' she
viii say The policeman will come
md catch you II you hang Behind ike
hat The little fellow gives a scared
Il
lastens on, franticalIy pulling at her
hand.
Two little girls were playing in the
park the other day. In the game one
slipped and fell. covering her diminu-
dve skirt with green grass stains.
Now. whatever shall do with you.
Agatha cried the nurse THE police
nan viii get you and no mistake. They
always look out for dirty little girlsy'
50 wee Agatha's play was spoiled by
the fear OF another tumble and the
Tread consequences that would surely
.nsue
Many nurses are not ignorant,
.houghtless women. but there are a
lew who by these means do irreparable
iarm to sensitive and tfmid children.
Sor are nurses by any means the only
nenders. Mothers have been known to I
rife with the nerves Of their children {
that delicate mechanism governing !
18th the body and the mind. I
While children may beg for exciting 4
tories and display a tremendous inter- e
st in the war. It Is far from wise to 8
ell them too much and to excite their r.
by descriptions Of CORY en- G.
ounters. It IS natural for little boys Il
Tho want to hear the details Of the 81
1nfiiet from their fathers to beg daddy
n "a story Of the war" for a certain "
We Of the military is ingralned into 81
Ie masculine character from the mo pl
ent the little lad begins to play with b.
a soldiers. However, II one cares to IN
eserve the tiny fellows nerves the
DRY telling win be restricted to deeds Fl
yalOr Sc