The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1918-02-03
Help Your
Girl to
Confide inYou
By DR.. LENA K. SADLER.

say nom lHC LWciItl 10 tue
fourteenth year, there is a nor
NAL, natural parting Of the ways
for the boys and the girls OF the
family; the girls becoming more con-
tidential and "chummy" with mother.
while the boys are inclined toward
spending more time with father. And
It Is the Unborn right Of these boys
and girls to receive special attention
and instruction at this particular time
from both mother and father.
Now, only that mother who has
carelessly brushed the daughter aside
with her questions: only that mother
who has allowed herself to become
shocked at the early struggles and
experiences OF her little girl Is going
to be deprived OF the condolences OF
this period, Of all periods in her girls
life.
My mother readers who themselves
were thoughtlessly brushed aside by
their mothers know exactly what
mean when refer to that awful gulf
which, as the years passed by. grew
wider and mayhap was only bridged
when the daughter herself became a
''D''''' ch" SIits. loi tiie IlTSN lltIlS.
realized maternal responsibilities and
the manifold opportunities for mis-
takes
In my many conferences with moth
ers and grown-up daughters I have
been forced to conclude that there
are far greater number Of young
women who are on unfriendly confid-
Ing terms and who indulge estranged
relations with their mothers than
there are those whose mothers are
their chief confidants.
And | most confidently believe that
most OF the estrangement and the
beFinning OF the formation OF the
gulf between them began away back
in ehrlv childhood. when-one day.
the little grille came to mother with
Question or n story and the well.
meaning but nevertheless thoughtless
mother either punished the child or
became so shocked over the obscene
language which OF itself meant moth
Ing to the questioning child that on
the plastic subconscious mind was
indelibly written the fact that mother
must never be approached on such
matters
And so the sex life. the sex
thoughts. the sex dreams. the trifling
love affairs We're all locked up rs far
as mother is CONCERNED. Maybe a
neighbor or n girl friend has the key
to the door Of this secret closet Of the
mind. but it is certain that the moth
or is not In possession of the master
key. Whoever Is In possession of tho
master key Is going to tell the grow
ing up" girl three things.
or all people, mother is the rightful
owner, and she only can do Justice
to tho mind of tho girl who is part
and parcel of her very self.
or first and of great concern Is the
lesson of the Secrets Of Woman
hood" which comprises the story Of
the wonderful. powerful secretion Of
the sex gland-of its miraculous.
transforming influence. which changes
the lean. lank. awkward. self-con-
scious. ungainiy ugly duckling" Of
a girl Into a sweet. graceful, bloom
Ing maiden possessing poise and re-
pose. and who Is the quintescence of
perfection and beauty, and bloom Of
health, and radiant womanhood.
The second chapter of the story to
be given this budding young woman
,s the story of the cause and occasion
or the physiological phenomenon
which comes to every young woman
and which SO wonderfully changes
The little girl very unlike boy hith-
erto in her play, etc. into the radi-
antly beautiful young woman
or great import is the hygienic and
sanitary instruction. and with eau
tton and candor should tho informant
discreetly go into every detail of con-
duct. or recreation. exposure. cleanIi-
ness. social obligation. etc, which
shall demand and control the youpp
woman during the period.
The last chapter of the puher,v
book closes with a candid, symn,-
thettc talk concerning her associa-
tons with young men. In her hirb
school social affairs. as well as those
OF the church and club, let il be thor
oughly impressed upon her mind that
her body Is to he held in sacred re.
serve.
Instruct her that young men will
hold her in high esteem If she does
not allow familiarities. 1t is a Tar
greater compliment for them to cali
her ''prude' or a touch me- not,'
than TO be popular for the passing
moment. a tossed about. muoh -huCved
ana much caressed toy that no one
IN particular cares for tomorrow.