The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1934-03-26

what should a mother do
about companiOnship for her
child in an unfricndIy neigh
borl,OOd? Olive Roberts Bar.
ton gives her opinion In this
article. 1t Is another I'm her
interesting series ON modern
Child Training.
We cannot expect. to find the
perfect group for our child to play
with, or even one suitable (fof
him) playmate.
SO much could be done, too, by
this outside cooperation. 1t lie
one of the mothers greatest prob
lens to have her Jimmy, or her
Jean, situated SO that his beet
qualities are strengthened. and
his worst ones overcome.
The boy from the gentle home
may find himself surrounded by
rough little DULLES who don't un-
derstand his culture and kindness
at all. To be considered one of
the gang and avoid being a lonely
and possibly prosecuted outsider
he will soon adopt their prin-
ciples, and what is his mother to
do when she sees her nice, Frank,
earnest boy being ruined?
On the other hand, the reverse
may be true. The little fellow
who has never had a chance at
home, whose parents have not
been particular above the ameni-
ties, may find himself In a group
of children who look upon him as
curiosity, and criticize him, and
shun him.
Boys Are Democratic
Under it all he may be a very
nice day. That is, fundamentally
recent and square. But children
too often notice the surface, al
though unless absolutely fixed to
a standard they are much more
democratic than their elders, par
ticularly boys. Girls, as seems to
be consistent with the feminine
nature, are, more likely to black
ball the one with mannerisms or
clothes different from their own.
cause 1 knew child's heart to be
broken once, who came from the
east, had a lovely New England
accent and wore the strictly plain
clothes she should have worn. But
SllC WdS uluCIC hI, anu ~ "d6 a
year or more before she was ac-
1t was her own inherent kindness
and common sense and patience
that got her there finally. And
today she is head and shoulders
above them all.
Whether q child is repudiated
by the neighboring children on
- = o,,tt
even just plain Jealousy, there are
two things that may be done.
One is to interfere as little as
possible and wait bit to see how
it works out. Frequently it does.
Just how is unpredictable because
the ways of children in the mass
are subject to swift and sudden
changes.
The other is to move.
If parents see their boy or girl
being unduly Influenced in the
wrong direction in order to main
tain a niche in the local social
world, or if they know their
child is a misfit and unhappy, a
little square peg that never can
fit into the round hole, it seems
reasonable to try a complete
change of environment.
Find q Friend
Too often parents rent a house
or build or buy in a neighborhood
that suits them, but Isl unsuitable
for their families. In the matter
of property ownership, 1t is more
difficult, Of course, to adjust the
situation.
The only thing to be done ir
such a case is to try to find a real
friend or two somewhere and en-
courage Jimmy to be- satisfied
with them until some change can
be made,
If possible, 1t is the better way
often to have patience and not to
jump to conclusions. To carry q
log on ones shoulder and go about
shifting for trouble is never toe
safe. Matters may not be as bad
as we think. Neither must we
decide that the child is. being per-
secuted or snubbed wherever he
goes. 1t may be his fault. Try
a little home talent, and try to
find out more about the real
trouble. When that fails 1t Is
time to act.