East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1922-05-20

desirable makes no effectual appeal.
[ have seen this happen over and over
again and one mother of five splendid
children said it was as certain as that
two and two made four. Given this
real eompanionship by their parents
and mutual sharing of the best
things in home, books, music. art, ma
ture and humanity during eighteen or
more plastic years and children are
bound to turn out well.
This sort of mpanionship is no
casual or haphazard thing. The par
ents who realize its value and mean to
have il at any price are willing to
play, really play with their babies, to
keep on playing with the little ones,
to give hours of time to the other
ones and to live on such friendly
terms with their children from the be-
ginning that spontaneity, originality,
initiative and enthusiasm are never
repressed. Tender love, real living
sympathy with the child's point OF
view, active. participation in whatever
interests him, doing things together
these Ire the precious secrets of those
parents whose children when grown
are still their dearest friends.
1t is from the first a question OF be-
ing willing to paI the price When
one sees on every hand boys and girls
whose friends and interests are all
outside of home, who seem entirely at
liberty to choose their own occupa-
tions and amusements and inclined TO
select those which are not only Dues
tionable but often desperately danger
Gus, and contrasts them with those
others of whom we have been speak
ing, one is forced to conclude that
many parents have purchased self in
diligence for themselves at terrible
cost. "Where are their parents? what
are they thinking of" How often do
we hear this said today as we gaze
upon the girls and boys who are on
the streets, in the restaurants, at the
shows, in the automobiles; as we read
the horrors in our daily papers, as we
listen to tales of disgrace and dis
aster.
II does not matter much where they
are now. 1t is too late. Their great
chance is gone for good and all. But
years ago these parents We're spend
ing hours upon themselves which
should have been passed in compan-
| ionship with their children. What
would they not give now for that com
pnnionship and the influence whicf
| can be bought only at that price!
But, oh, YOU fathers and mothers %
little ehildrens don't let your oppor
tunitv slip! Now is your great chance
| Fill the golden hours of your child
ren's early years with all sorts OF Worl
play. projects, excursions, reading anC
study together Live with your chil
dren. 1t was long ago that Froebe
cried, "Come, let us live with our chill
drcn!" and never was his reason 10
so doing so clear to our minds as i
these latter days. Do not say tina
Won are too busy, or that the labor G
providing food and shelter for ther
prevents. Let them share, accordln
to their years, in the family work, tn
family responsibilities and even tn
family income. Remember that con
panionship means participation Yo
can make work a frolic or an unwe
come drudgery to them; 1t is for yo
to choose. All depends on the spir
in which the necessary things al
done. Even be thankful that yot
, means are restricted, for then yot
problem will be simpler one tina
If YOU had all the money you wish yo
=, had. Necessity is an able assistant
and sort of teacher, and besides it
YOU the children want rather than IL
THINGS YOU think you would like
y elVC thpm