The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1932-10-01
CALENDAR FOR CORRECTION OF
A HABIT

A mother writes:
A year ago I wrote you in re-
gard to my child's bedwetting. I
am happy to report that your ad-
vice has proved the right psy-
chology. I purchased from the
stationer little box of red stars
gummed on the back. Every night
the child kept dry she was al
lowed to stick one of the stars
on the big kitchen calendar. The
whole family became interested in
the plan and the child saw how
pleased everybody was about each
days red star. BY the end Of
three months she was able to
cover every day with a star, with
no numbers left uncovered on the
calendar. We are sure this made
such an impression on the child'S
mind that it worked a cure even
during sleep.
The mother has the right idea.
Bedwetting Is e. habit and not an all
ment. Neither is it kidney trouble. y
1>OA q WCdhIICoo. ~ Ao a AAAoO0AS
for a parent or other guardian OF
such child to utter any excuse for
the habit in the child's presence, es.
pecially harmful to explain that the
child comes by it naturally" because
some forebear has had the same habit.
The child who vets the bed can
overcome the bad habit and remain
dry if he wants to.
Any parent or guardian who takes
this to mean that scolding, censure,
or shame will make the
child want to remain dry is too dumb
or vicious to have charge of the train
ing of child.
In exceptional instances 1t may be
possible for the entire family to take
such an interest as this mother de-
scribes, but as rule the matter
should be kept as nearly secret as
nay be, between child and guardian.
The calendar plan Is an excellent one
Tor the child three or five years OF
age, but for older children the mark
,r reward for each dry night should
,e more appropriate to the mental
age.
Have you ever had to wake up at an
unusual hour in the night or early
morning to catch a train to keep an
appointment? You wanted to wake.
and you did wake. wouldn't have
done any good if somebody threat
,ned, ridiculed, embarrassed or shamed
you about it. But If you want to
wake you wake-or you fail to wake
at the designated time. Well, the
child can control the emptying of the
bladder during sleep If he wants to-.
But he must want very much to do so
il he is to make a success OF it. Some
times it is hard for a harassed mother
or an embarrassed father to avoid
impatience, annoyance or dis
gust, but any such manifestation Is
fatal to the success of this psyche
logical plan. Nothing but wholesome
sympathy and encouragement should
be given the child, and OF course q
quiet show of pleasure when the child
chalks up a dry night. =.
At first the rewards, If any, should
be small favors and should be given
or withheld for each nights record
Not until the child can have at least
three or four nights dry in succession
should any substantial reward be
promised for the first dry fortnight
or the first dry month, such as b.
cycle, or vacation trip. or some I'M
usual opportunity the child especially
Graves.
Incidentally, most children who wet
the bed get over it by the time they
are eight years old anyway. BY tha'
time they naturally want to be dry
In any case, however. the child's gen
eral hygiene and diet should be care
fully regulated. Send for special IN
observation-disclosures stamped .envelope
bearing your address and give your
child'S age.