South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-11-09
Training Little
CitiSenS
Obedience
By Mary E Dozier

The question OF obedience 10 the /
laws OF the home, and 20 the COM |
munity. confronts each individual. |
Some pass u lightly b.. giving IL
little thought, and less observance. |
but not so the thoughtful parent or
teacher 10 whom the care Of chill
dren Is entrusted.
obedience should underly the life
Of each Of us. Il Is essential to hap
piness. Only as we learn 20 listen
and obey are we fitted 20 take our
riehtful place in society. We must
obey the laws OF home and cOmmu-
nifty II we would be worthy members
Of each group. and above all, there
must be obedience 10 the moral law.
Since obedience is such an impor-
tant factor in each life. how can We
best teach Il 20 the child without
destroying his Individually.
Many mothers admit their ina
buity 10 obtain obedience. and
teachers are often asked. How do
YOU make him obey he does not
mind me at all2" a dreadful con
fession, but since 1t is made, let US
try 10 help these mothers.
First let US ask few questions.
I. DO you govern your child by
love or by fear2
2. Are you honest with him?
g. Are your demands reasonable
and do you explain why you make
certain requirements?
4. DO you talk indiscreetly be
fore your child and admit your in
ability 10 control him?
8. DO you require prompt obedi-
ence or do you tolerate disOOedience
and bclated performance OF duty2
These questions are ali involved
in obedience.
In dealing with children we should
give the reasons for our conduct
II possible. CO course there are
some things which cannot be ex-
planned and we should frankly admit
il: there are others which we cannot
explain TO young children and we
should promise to do so when they
are older.
A spiritual question arose one day
in a sunday School class which was
rather complex 20 explain TO little
children. The teacher left the prob
lem and asked these questions.
How did God make the great old
tree come out of tiny acorn? DO
YOU see how He did it? Did He
really do it?'
There was no doubt about the
latter. for the children had often
pulled up the tiny oaks and found
the acorn from which the root and
tree had sprouted.
Well" said the teacher. there
are some things we know are true,
but we can't explain them. can WEE"
4 few Sundays later another prob
lem arose in one OF the hymns. The
teacher made the best explanation
possible. then added, some things
are hard 10 explain. aren't they?'
Smilingiy one little girl looked W
and remarked. Just like the acorn
and the tree; we can't tell how God
did il. hut we know IL is true"
In this way questioning obedience
will. il properly and lovingly deal
with. become confident, trustful ODE
dience.
obedience is subsection to right
ful control at all times and in al
places.
Yet many parents are satisfied
with only occasional obedience. on
Gav "A mother expects immediate re
Spouse 10 her request, while a lttl
later she waits indefinitely for ODE
dIence At still another time il sh
is busy at some household duty o
neighborly conversation. she entirel
forgets her request. What happens
The child under such conditions pro
ceeds TO decide matters for himself
and his motto becomes, with moth
er. obey when II is convenient.
such a child soon demOralizes tn
children of the whole neighbOrhOoC
Last but perhaps OF greatest con
Germ TO parents is the advice 10 set
lie with disobedience at the time
tally today's books today, unles
some act requires a future OppOrtu
nifty for correction. Just here let U
odd one more word on this impor
tant subject study your child an
his disposition; suit your correction
10 him. and 60 the particular act
question. a certain punishment ma
suit one child and work ruin in tn
life Of another.
Perhaps the thought contained
the following verses oy an unknOW
writer may help the mother 20 Sc
ter life work a little more ciearl!
Il took a piece n plastic clay
And idly fashioned Il one day.
And rs my fingers pressed II still,
10 moved and yielded at my viii
came again when DAYS were past,
The loft OF clay vas hard az last,
The form / gave ii still 10 bore,
But / could change that form no NOR
Q
took a piece 81 living clay.
And gently formal Il day by day,
And moulded with my power and a
4 young child's soft aud yielding hea
I came again when days were gone (,
II was a man / looked upon;
He still that early impress bore
-. q