The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-01-19
YOUR CHILDREN
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Will a new recktie make Tommy stop teasing the cat, or a new hair ribbon make Myrtle practice any better? Perhaps they might. Tn order to get on the safe ground of common sense, however, 1t is ne- cessary to say that in order to keep Tommy a good boy, and Myrtle g. dutiful girl, we cannot fill up the bureau drawer with expensive sur- prises. Even if it were possible the novelty would soon wear off. But there is a psychology about clothes and neatness that affects be- havior. It is the same psychology that keeps up a mans self respect if his suit is mended and pressed, no matter how old 1t is, the urge that lies behind the line of stockings and gloves in q woman's bathroom-the desire to appear well not only in the eyes of her friends but to know that she is well turned out herself. It is the psychological phase of dressing that behooves me to write in the interests of the children, for 1t is something that develops in the individual very early in life. It is no special attribute of maturity. A Pcrplcxed Mother Some time ago a certain mother, distressed about her boys miscon- duct, came to me with her problem. When saw the youngster himself later, I jumped to a conclusion im- mediately, for although his mother herself was as neat as wax the child might have come from the gutter as far as his appearance went, and he probably had. If his clothes were in a condition that matched the gut ter, law of attraction would carry him there.
 His home was the medium-type American homo where there was little extra money but plenty of water and soap.
 His mother insisted that she tried to keep the boy clean, but couldn't. I know all about that problem, too. Nobody expects boys to look like col- lar ads. They do get dirty and tousled and all that. Who would want it otherwise?
 A Schedule of Cleanliness
 Make him bathe every morning before school" I suggested. "Be sure he has clean handkerchief, that his stockings are darned. his shoe laces tied, and no buttons are off his shirt. His old clothes can be fixed up for further wear, but ob- serve if a few days of wearing his good clothes does not affect his con- duct favorably. He will have some- thing to live up to and perhaps he will surprise you."
 Checking up later I found con- siderable improvement.
 The advice was not new. I had given it with gratifying results in other cases.
 We should start very early to train children to neatness. cleanM- ness. and the right kind of pride in dress and personal appearance. Boys and some girls so through @ certain stage of carelessness but there Is & difference. They will "come back" to early training.
 If any mother feels futile and dis couraged by the continual strain of keeping her family in order 1t may comfort her to know that this very impetus of good appearance is one of the most powerful forces in life. Her work is anything but in vain. But should give the children their share in the responsibility-that is. half of 1t. Be sure to start them on the right road very, very early. until habit becomes character. Good be- havior does not always dwell in the camp of the well-dressed, but excep- tions never weaken a truth.