Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1919-11-16
AIMING LITTLE
 'c|1IzENS TO OBEY
 DUTY OF PARENTS
Es Is Only Way to. Fit Them for Rightful Place in Life.
By Mary E. Dozier.

Ry Mary E. Dozier.
 question of obedience to the
 of the home, and to the con-
 o;tv, confronts each individual
 70 pass it lightly by, giving il
 . thought, and less observance
 mt SO the thoughtful parent oi
 .her to whom the care of children
 ntrusted. ,.,
 hhed;ence should underly the life
 pach of us; it is essential to hap
 pss. Only as we learn to lister
 obey are we fitted to- take our
 ttful place in society. We must
 E the laws of nature if we would
 healthy. the laws of nome an ]
 annuity if We would be worthy
 mbers of each group, and above
 there must be obedience to the
 ral law.
 ince obedience is such an impor-
 factor in each life, how can we
 teach it to the child without de-
 oving his individuality?
 dany mothers admit their inability
 obtain obedience, and teachers are en asked, '"How do you make him M. he does not mind me at all ?" dreadful confession, but since it is
 de. let us try to help these motll- First let us ask a few questions :
 Do you govern your child oy
 e or by fear?
 R--Are you honest with him?
 b-Are your demands reasonable < do you explain why you make
 tain requirements?
 -Do you talk indiscreetly before ur child and admit your inability
 control him?
 b-Do you require prompt obedi- ce or do you tolerate disobedience Id belated performance of duty? These questions are all involved in edience.
 In dealing with children we should ke the reasons for our conduct, if 5ssible. Of course there are some .ings which cannot be explained and
 should frankly admit it; there are hers which we cannot explain to {ung children and we should prom- B to do so when they are older. IA spiritual question arose one day
 Sunday school class which was 'ther complex to explain to little (ildren. The teacher left the prob n and asked these questions.
 "How did God make the great oak ee come out of a tiny acorn? Do ku see how He did it? Did He ally do it?"
 There was no doubt about the lat. h, for the children had often pulled the tiny oaks and found the acorn pm which the root and tree had routed.
 |"Well," said the teacher, "there are |me things we know are true, but e can't explain them, can we?" A few Sundays later another prob m arose in one of the hymns. The lacher made the best explanation pssible, then added, "Some things 'e hard to explain. aren't they?" Smilingly one little girl looked up ,d remarked, "Just like the acorn ld the tree; we can't tell how God q 1t, but we know it is true" In this way questioning obedience Ill, if properly and lovingly dealt lth, become confident, trustful obe- ence.
 Obedience is subjection to rightful ntrol at all times and in all places. Yet many parents are satisfied lth only occasional obedience. One y a mother expects immediate re- 'sonse to her request, while a little ter she waits indefinitely for obe- ence. At still another time, if she busy at some household duty or 'lghborly conversation. she entirely rgets her request. What happens :? le child under such conditions pro- eas to decide matters for himself ia ms motto becomes, "With moth , ,oDey when it is convenient" Such child soon demoralizes the children the whole neighborhood. Last but perhaps of greatest con- Tn to parents is the advice to set ,, With disobedience at the time; ny today's books today, unless me act requires a future oppor- nlty for correction. Just here let add one more word on this impor- nt subject. Study your child and disposition; suit your corrections nm, and to the particular act in :estlon. A certain punishment may Y one child and work ruin in the e of another
 rerhaps the thought contained in 2 ':, following verses by an unknown ,lter may help the mother to see Ire work little more clearly: took a piece of plastic clay m 'ma Idly fashioned it one day, ia as my fingers pressed it still, moved and yielded at my will. same again when days were past, e pit of clay was hard at last, ' ' form l gave it still it bore, U could change that form no
 more.
 ,ook a piece of living clay, l9 gently formed it day by day, "a nodded with my power and art souhg chlld's soft and yielding