The Waterbury Democrat., 1932-09-27
CALENDAR FOR CORRECTION
 OF A HABIT
A mother writes:

A mother writes:
 | A year ago l wrote you in regard to my | childs bedwettng. am happy to report that your advice has proved the rlght Psy ! chology I purchased from the statoner | little box of red stars gunmea on ane back Every night the child kept dry she was allowed to stick one of the stars on the big Kitchen calender. The whole family became interested in the plan ana 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 un- covered on the calendar. We are sure @ this made such an impression on the chllds mind that 1t worked a cure even durihe sleep. The mother has the right idea. Bedwettina Is a habit and not an ailment. Neither IS II "l,dnev trouble" Nor "weakness'. It IS q mistake for a parent other guardian of such a child to utter any excuse for the habit in the child's presence especially harmful to explain that the child comes by 1t 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, punishment or shame will make the child want to remain dry is too dumb vicious to have charge ol
 the training of a child. -
 In exceptional instances it may be possblc
 for the entire family to take such an interes.
 as this mother describes, but as a rule the mat
 ter should be kept as nearly secret as may be- between child and guardian. The calendar plan
 
 years of age, but for older children the mark or reward for each dry night should be more appropriate.
 Have you ever had to wake up at an unusual hour in the night early morning to eaten ! train or keep appointment? You wanted to wake, and you did wake. Wouldn't have aone any good if somebody threatened, ridl- culed, embarrassed or shamed you about it But if you want to wake you wake--or you fail to wake at the designated time. We'll the
 child can control the emptying of the bladder during sleep if he wants to- But he must want very much to do so If he is to make a success of it. Sometimes it is hard for harassca mother or an embarrassed father to avoid showing impatiencc, annoyance or disgust, but lany such manifestation is fatal to the success of this psychological plan. Nothing but whole some sympathy and encouragement should be given the child, and of course a quite show of pleasure when the child chalks up dry night. At first the rewards If any, should be small favors and should be given or withheld foi each nights record. Not until the child eau have at least three or four nights dry in sue. ccsson should any substantial reward be prom sed for the first dry fortnight or the first dr! month such bicycle or q vacation trip, oi some unusual opportunity the child especially craves
 Incidentally, most children who wet the bed get over it by the time they are eight years old anyway. By that time they natural! want to be dry. In any case, however, tho childs general hygiene and diet should be carefully regulated. Send for special instruc Itions-incloBe stamped envelope bearing youl address and give your chlds age.