Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1919-10-12
Some Kindergarten
 Hints for Parents
By Elise Underbill Eaton.

The Unbiased Observer was visit ing the Heath family, in which there are three chldren-M who is 13; Gwen, II, and Dolly 4. The boy and the baby are generally easy to discipline, but there seems to be con stant friction between Gwen and her mother, so much so that continual pouting bids fair to spoil what nature inended to be a really beautiful little face. To the Unbiased Observer, the fault appears to lie largely with the mother, and if the case were an unusual one, it would perhaps not be worthy of record; but similar misun- derstandings so often exists between parent and child that the considera- tion of the following incidents may be of value.
 Gwen is not bad child, but her mother seems to expect disobedience from her, or, at least, lack of cheerfulness. For example, Gwen had been sent to bed at o'clock Sun day evening, ostensibly because she was sulky. really because her mother thought she was tired and needed extra rest. The child was not given the real reason, however, and she went upstairs full of the rebellious feeling that a most unmerited pun- ishment had been meted out of her. Max. for his supper that evening, was given a large, fine banana, one of several which had been bought as a special treat. The next morning at breakfast two similar bananas were put at the places of the two older chl- dren. Gwen was particularly de- , lighted, for she, of course, had had no banana the night before. She was smiling and happy when she took her place at the table, even though Max did announce triumphantly that he had already had one.
 Then Dolly. the baby, arrived and began to whimper because she had been forgotten in the distribution of fruit
 "Give Dolly half of your, Gwen," said her mother.
 Ovens smiles faded. "But, Mother" she said rather plaintively, "whv can't Max give her some of his? He had one last night" (which would appear to be logical and decidedly reasonable question:. The mother did not think so, how ever. "Give me your banana, Gwen" she demanded.
 ] Gwen passed it over without word. evidently having learned the fultility of expecting justice from that quarter.
 Her mother cut the fruit in half, gave one part to the baby and put the other on her own fruit plate where it remained untouched until it was removed to the pantry Max, in the meantime, devoured his prize with gusto.
 Gwen made no comment of any kind. but she ate the rest of her breakfast with small appetite and with a face. wherein sulkiness had replaced smiles, and with very sore little heart she departed for school.
 Don't you think did right?" asked the mother afterward of the Unbiased Observer, who didn't feel so very unbiased after all.
 It was no time for polite camou- flage.
 "If you really want to know" came the reply. "I think you did entirely wrong. Gwen was quite logical in her question, and perfectly courteous. l should have thought she was lacking in intelligence if she hadn't objected"
 The mother looked surprised.
 "But she is so sulky about every thing" she complained. q want her to learn to mind cheerfully."
 Shell never do that" remarked the Observer, "while she feels such in- justice in the powers that be-"
 "Do you think it was unjust to send her to bed last night? ?" the mother went on, in a slightly injured tone.
 The Unbiased Observer paused but she had been asked for an opin- ion.
 "What heavier punishment could you possibly inflict if she is ever real ly bad?" she asked. "Social ostra- cism-just because she looked cross! What would happen if our sins were punished in the same ratio?" l And now the Observer wonders if she will ever be invited to make an- other visit!