The Waterbury Democrat., 1935-01-26
HEYOUR CHILDREN
nx Oliva Roberts eeetoN
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Buddy was the incest, frankest little fellow fin the world. He had not reticences or subterfuges such as Walter, his older brother, had developed, and his mother was de- termined to. keep him so.
 Then suddenly she became aware that when she asked him where he little red car was, or his mittens, he was trotting off to hid- den places to produce thern.
 At first she paid small attention. But when one day she asked him where the little red car was. or his he turned her around and said, Don't you look" while he scur- ried over to the book case and felt around behind the books, she turned a bit cold.
 The first thing she thought was. "It's Walter. He has taught Bud dy to hide things from me-"
 You mustn't do that, darling" she said, helping to retrieve the lost blocks. You must tell mother everything. Don't hide anything again. Promise me you won't" Doesn't Know Meaning of Promise or course. Buddy promised but there was one trouble here. He did not know what promise meant.
 The days went on and Buddy proceeded to put little bread crusts and bits of apple and marbles in deep dark places. And next he hid salt cellars, ash-trays and even the mufiin-pans He had caches all over the place. All the talk ing in the world could not make him see his sin.
 Then he began to fib about 1t. At first he went instantly and pro- duced the loot. He would look very proud and happy when the lost was found. But one day when he was asked where his garters were, he said, lover at Mary's house,
 When he was sent to Mary's to get them, for he actually went, there were no garters, of course.
 All the day he went about with safety pins in his stockings. Then his mother found the galluses be- hind the tub.
 Walter Denies Influence
 This went on, and she became increasingly worried. She still blamed Walter for putting notions into his little brothers head. But he protested that he didn't. and to save himself. helped in the still hunts for missing articles.
 After all, she had to admit Walter was a pretty fine boy. He had worried her for awhile with his little tricks, but now she thought of it he had gotten over 1t some time ago. Once in awhile he still told fib but he didn't hide things. Could it be a stage" ? She bought a book which told about such things and to her relief and joy read that 1t was just that When the child first learns that he IS a real person with the ability to think and act AWAY from other people he indulges in a little orgy over the discovery. Some children go to almost ridiculous extremes. Others make little of 1t.
 Defensive Turns Fibs to Lies She also learned that if not too much fuss is made and the child Is not put on the defensive, he won't be likely to ffb. He may, a little, by making up fancy stor, about Teddy Bear eating the cake in order to add to his act. Bu the defensive flb is the one tt ponder about.
 So many things develop in tn, three-four-fve child that are mer, phases and wear out of themselves that we have to learn to use som, philosophy. The flve-year- olt should have the beginnings of { sense of real truth and not all hi lapses can be laid to tests of ma ture. but. h mother will be able t, distinguish if she observes closely The first real lie a child learn IS usually one of the defense. Hoy often is 1t our mistake?
 Copyright 1925 NEA Service, Inc