The Delta independent., 1923-05-18

ASA00SO0s SsO->--
course must have a safety cock in the
form of lively exercise; and interest
in this exercise is intensified MANIFOLD
II the parents take part.
wish that on the wall Of every
home there might be a motto. not the
"God Bless our Home" or what is
Home without a Mother" variety, but
these simple words: Come. Let us
Play with our Children"
oh, it means sacrifice, but what is
the sacrifice of an hour at the end of
the day devoted to proper training OF
our children compared to the sacrifice
of happiness when the MONDAY sun
has turned into the shadows of the
evening of life?
There is no home in our city where
father and mother devote more hours
to public service than ours. yet we
find time nearly every evening for a
romp with our children.
Sometimes we have wrestling
matches in which all the children and
their father take part.
| Sometimes we play hide and seek"
/ just the same old fashioned kind that
we parents played years ago. and
then perhaps we have music while we
rest.
| Sometimes the boys play store, and
let me assure you that this is one of
the most profitable plays in which
child can engage, for aside from the
fact that the children amuse them
sedves during this period. they learn
to write, to make up bills, employing
multiplication and addition practice.
and also learn the most important of
keep a watchful eye at all times to
see that the qualities Of honesty and
straight dealing are instilled into the
child. beginning with his games.
During the evenings many times
our children arrange play stores
using canned fruits and vegetables;
boxes of crackers and breakfast
foods. and anything else which is
sealed in a package. They have
counter pads on which lists are care
fully made out, and paid for with
play money. There is no litter from
this game. as they replace everything
| brought out when through.
Now. to get back to the opening
remark of the article: activities of the
girl are very different from those of
the boy. but the same rule will apply
to both The growing boy or girl
who lives under constant restraint at
home will go to extremes when out
from under the parental eye. For
Heavens sake. don't say Don't" but
give them something to do. II some
OF these particular mothers could
step into their neighbors' homes ana
see their beloved children romping
over beds. helping themselves to
food, breaking in on conversations
and generally making themselves un-
welcome. fancy they would begin
to realize that something is wrong at
home.
frequently when a child bumps his
head the mother will offer consola-
ton by striking the offending article
with the words: bad naughty chair,
we will whip it, And If you will look
carefully you will see look OF re-
venge on the child's face which is
not good to see. Wouldn't 1t be bet
ter to take the child and say some
thing like this: Mother knows how
It hurts. When she was little girl"
and so forth. telling some experience
OF her childhood. BY the time she
has finished the cry will be forgotten
and the child will find comfort in
the realization that Mother. too. has
trodden the path Of pain long ago.
believe that all children from the
day they learn to play. should be
taught love and respect for all liv-
| Ing Creatures and a 1--we and reyer-
ence for God. I do not believe in the
time honored prayer. Now lay me
down to sleep. etc" For in the first
place I believe no child should be
tucked into bed with the fear that
Death may come before the morning
light. But believe in prayers from
the heart, expressed in a way as best
suits the child. AS time goes on he
will learn where he finds his strength
and comfort. He should be taught
love and loyalty to his fellowmen.
am reminded of an ancient story
of Abou Ben Alden. who woke and
The angel informed Abou that
his name was not numbered among
those who loved the Lord Then"
said he. pray. write my name as one
who loves his fellowmen" The angel
wrote and vanished. and next night
appeared again. When he showed
the page Of names of those whom God
had blessed, Ben Ahdem's name led
all the rest.
Children are the most precious pos
session ever entrusted to man. Their
habits ara formal during THAR first