Milford chronicle., 1928-05-18
Home Education
THE VALUE OF SYMPATHY
Lou Pruitt Roberts

We read and hear so much about
the faults and general misconduct OF
lchildren, but how many parents do
you know who really measure up to
standard?
A Sunday School worker started
out one morning, trying to get
mothers and their children more in
terested in Sunday School. 1t had
been raining the day before, and lit
tie puddles were standing every
where.
Her knock at the door of a pref
ty little home was answered by a
rather tired, nervous-looking wom-
an. Before she had finished explain
ing her mission, a boy about ten
years of age came in. His clothing,
face, hands and feet showed very
plainly he had been enjoying the
rain and mud.
In a moment the mother COM
pletely lost her self-control; her
temper flared, and Jimmy received
severe scolding. Tears came to his
eyes, and he attempted a meek apol-
ogy, but the words were hardly be-
gun when his mother stormed;
'Hush, go at once to your room. I'll
see you later"
In a sullen, rebellious mood, Jim
my started away, but before he was
out of hearing, his mother turned to
her caller, and in high-pitched,
angry voice gave vent to her feel
ings.
HE is the most careless child |
have. He has no consideration for
me whatever. I slave away from
till night and he's forever
maxim gextra work for me, such as
this. I'm sure he will come to some
bad end, he's so reckless and hard
to manage"
AS the Sunday School worker lis
tened to Jimmy's mother, she, too,
was afraid that perhaps some day
Jimmy might come to some bad end.
She made several appeals to this
mother with regard to the Sunday
School but could not get her
thoughts far enough away from her
nome and it's immediate troubles to
.rouse her interest.
AS she walked toward the next
home, she pondered over Jimmy,
lis playmates and general environ
nent. When she knocked at this
loor, she heard a general rush and
icurry of bare feet about the room,
mingled with little giggles, but in
moment everything was quiet. Then
rather large but pleasant-looking
7oman opened the door. The merry
winkle in her eyes and her kindly
mile radiated good cheer and SYM
athy.
In a matter-of-fact way she said,
Harry and the little boy next door
ave been enjoying themselves in
ne mud this morning." Then she
eemed to dismiss the whole affair
rom her mind and gave her undi-
lded attention to her caller. II
We all love an understanding
other-one who can sympathize,
nd will kiss away the tears, or
ugh and enjoy our pleasures with
5! Harry will surely come to some
pod end with such a mother" III
fought the visitor. III
Strange, isn't it, that some parents
il to realize the Importance of
and often ALLEVIATE their
lildren's affections by being cross
i'd unreasonable. These people
EN- to forget they once were chill
en-. Yet the end to which childish
havior leads generally depends Z
uch more upon the parent than -
on the child.
II am very glad to commend the g
work, believing as I B
, that it is especially helpful to g
2 little people and that it is espec- +
ly needed under modern social 3
."-J. R. Countiss, Presi- e
ut, Grenada College, Mississippi 3
Are the children of your commun- g
provided with a kindergarten? If B
!, would it not be wise to work to e
one established in the public =
lool? Write to the National Kind 4
-arten Association, West For
h Street, New York, for advice &
this subject. g