The Waterbury Democrat., 1935-03-29
DPYOUR
 CHILDREN
R Ol.ss Robsrts Bsrtoa
Zk.z slss.zs
PARENTS WORRY NEEDLESS LY ABOUT UNCERTAIN
 FUTURE.
New Generation Will Take to Con-
 ditlons in Stride.

dltl0ns tn Striue.
 Pity to poor parents who look on the future as a sort of Cretan maze in which all sorts of monsters lie ambushed for their children.
 Find yourself in a roomful Of mothers today and the inevitable turn of conversation contains be- bewildering admissions like this:
 q don't know what to do about our John. Both Walter and are worried because we have taught him to be a real individual. We fought standardization from the start, tried to encourage his am- bition and his own thinking. He never was selfish, but he has the feeling that he ought to work out his own life and be free to carry out his plans" .
 Well, what's wrong with that?' lady inquiries. Most of us have done that"
 "Nothing," answers the puzzled one. "But how do we know that it will be the right thing for the future? Look at the way eco- homie thought is changing. All over the world. Perhaps l am only hunting trouble, but it seems to me that under what they call planned government, whatever that is, no one will have a lot of use i for his own thinking.
 What Is the Use?
 And what is the use of teach ing ambition? What is the use of talking about success? It seems to me the kindnest think would have been for us to tell him that he has to be contented whatever happens-oh no, don't mean now but even twenty years from now. Or thirty or forty. "He is only sixteen but what ne feels now is going to be the way he feels all his life. I'd hate 10 think we have given him the wrong attitude, one that may make him utterly miserable some day..
 What gc-s my husDanu anu myself" interrupted a # n e mother. lis what to tell our Dick about war. We tried hard to make him see how revolting 1t was. and to show him how things could be worked out between countries With out bloodshed. But 1t does not tie with all the news.
 You can just see him sit up and stick his ears out another inch on each side every time he hears that such and such a coun- try is arming and that war Is ike ly to break out anw minute; IL s been that way for a year. The East, then Africia, and always Eu- rope. Dick believe that war isn't cure all. We tried to bring him up an but he hears peo- nle denouncing any spirit of broth- erly love. And he sees the givern- ment turning down the World Court. Whot are we to combat such infiuences?'
 '"The best thing to do" says quiet little body in the corner ls to take it easy. Just about the time we get our children prepared for one kind of future another comes along. Our parents prop ably worried too.
 1T know there is a diiference now in many ways. but all l at- tempt Is to teach the children 10 be busy and happy and as klno as IS possible. I can't be the Lord or creation and fix destiny. 1T they are not too selfish they can adjust themselves. They have to decide later on just where their duty lies We all had to. They will have to-.
 We can only go so far you know. we mothers and fathers. We can't drive from the back seat. Lafayette was only nineteen when he came to America to help Wash ington against King George. but his parents had not taught him 10 think that way. Young fellows will do their own thinking and de- ciding no matter what we say: 80 will the girls. think all or us are crossing bridges
 And I think she is right.
 convrieht 1885, NEA Service, Inc.